Life in the Tax Lane (Canada)

February’s episode of Life in the Tax Lane is here!
With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Video Tax News team shares a timely roundup of tax issues that may not be especially romantic, but are front of mind as filing season approaches.

This fast-paced episode covers:
Crypto-Assets Reviews and Audits: CRA is intensifying audit activity, focusing on non-filing, underreporting, and weak documentation around crypto transactions.
Crypto-Assets – Income or Capital Gains?: A recent court case reinforces that trading intent and activity drive income versus capital treatment.
COVID-19 Benefits – Collections: CRA collections on CERB and CRB overpayments are continuing with a more aggressive tone.
Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Expanded eligibility may allow certain professionals to access significant loan relief.
Beneficial Ownership: Adding children to title discussed in the context of estate planning.
Shareholder Benefit on Land Realty Transfer: Non-FMV transfers between corporations and shareholders can trigger taxable benefits.
This episode highlights where CRA scrutiny is increasing and where careful structuring and documentation remain important. Watch or listen to stay current as these issues continue to arise in everyday practice.
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-february-2026
Learn more about available courses: https://members.videotax.com/courses
Program Recorded: January 20, 2026
Life in the Tax Lane is for general information purposes only and deals with dynamic, time-sensitive and complex matters that may not apply to particular facts and circumstances. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized professional advice in connection with any particular matter. For more information visit videotax.com/disclaimer. ©Video Tax News Inc. 2025, All Rights Reserved.

January’s episode of Life in the Tax Lane is here!
Happy New Year! Join the Video Tax News team for a timely roundup of key tax developments as we head into 2026.
This fast-paced episode covers:
Cancellation of OAS Enrollment: A Federal Court of Appeal decision underscores the strict deadlines for cancelling automatic OAS enrollment.
Election to Stop Contributing to CPP: The Tax Court provides welcome clarity where Service Canada processing delays threatened to invalidate the election to cease contributing to CPP when the individual began collecting retirement benefits at age 65.
Trust Filing Rules – Bare Trust Arrangements: CRA proactively confirms relief by following Bill C-15 proposals, meaning no T3 filings are required for bare trusts with 2025 year ends.
Trucking Sector – Lifting the T4A Penalty Moratorium: CRA begins immediate enforcement of T4A filing requirements for payments to incorporated drivers, with 2025 slips due by March 2, 2026.
RRIF Minimum Withdrawal Proposal – Abandoned: The government confirms it will not proceed with the proposed temporary RRIF withdrawal reduction.
CRA Service Improvements – Disability Tax Credit: Ongoing delays in processing Disability Tax Credit applications are reviewed, along with recent recommendations from the Taxpayer’s Ombudsperson to better support vulnerable taxpayers.
Watch the free 10-minute video now to stay informed, stay compliant, and stay ahead of the curve on issues that matter most to Canadian tax professionals.
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-january-2026
Learn more about available courses: https://members.videotax.com/courses
Program Recorded: December 18, 2025
Life in the Tax Lane is for general information purposes only and deals with dynamic, time-sensitive and complex matters that may not apply to particular facts and circumstances. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized professional advice in connection with any particular matter. For more information visit videotax.com/disclaimer. ©Video Tax News Inc. 2025, All Rights Reserved.

December’s episode of Life in the Tax Lane is here!
Join the Video Tax News team for a quick roundup of the latest tax developments. 
This fast-paced episode covers:
First-time Home Buyers' GST rebate, including a retroactive contract date change that could mean up to $50,000 in savings.
Automatic tax filing starting in 2025 for select low-income individuals—who qualifies and how it works.
Failure to make electronic payments, CRA providing relief for clients who still rely on cheques.
Tax payment grace period clarity: CRA confirms a 20-day interest-free window for taxpayers to pay assessed balances once notified.
Delayed slips posted online by CRA during last filing season and what CRA says to expect this year.
Repetitive pre- and post-assessment requests for donations, medical expenses, and more—impact of compliance history.
Heightened enforcement in the trucking industry targeting misclassification and personal services business concerns, with potential implications for other sectors using incorporated contractors.
Watch the free 10-minute video now to stay informed, stay compliant, and stay ahead of the curve on issues that matter most to Canadian tax professionals.
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-december-2025
Learn more about available courses: https://members.videotax.com/courses
Program Recorded: November 21, 2025
Life in the Tax Lane is for general information purposes only and deals with dynamic, time-sensitive and complex matters that may not apply to particular facts and circumstances. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized professional advice in connection with any particular matter. For more information visit videotax.com/disclaimer. ©Video Tax News Inc. 2025, All Rights Reserved.

November’s episode of Life in the Tax Lane is here!
Join the Video Tax News team for a quick roundup of the latest tax developments. This is a great way to stay sharp before the Budget news begins to roll in.

In this edition, the Video Tax News team covers:
Auditor General Report on CRA Contact Centres: Key findings discussed
CRA Services – 100-Day Plan: What’s changing and how it affects your practice
Draft Legislation – Filing Requirements for NPOs: Why even the smallest clubs may soon need to file returns
Corporations – Mandatory Electronic Filing: Avoid $1,000 penalties for paper-filed returns
Financial Transactions and Reports – Risk? How routine transactions could create risk
Business in the Home Expenses: Lessons from a recent court case
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-november-2025
Learn more about Tax Update 2025: https://members.videotax.com/courses/tax-update-2025
Program Recorded: October 24, 2025
Life in the Tax Lane is for general information purposes only and deals with dynamic, time-sensitive and complex matters that may not apply to particular facts and circumstances. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized professional advice in connection with any particular matter. For more information visit videotax.com/disclaimer. ©Video Tax News Inc. 2025, All Rights Reserved.

October’s Life in the Tax Lane is ready!
 
October has arrived, and with the “Monday of months” (September) behind us, we can turn our attention to the latest tax updates for tax professionals.
 
In this edition, the Video Tax News team covers:
Trust Disclosures: Some deemed trusts within NPOs must file, but they don’t need to list members as beneficiaries. Certain investment trusts also face disclosure rules.
Moving Expenses – Travel Distance: Courts confirmed it is acceptable to use technology such as Google Maps to measure distances. The 40km test must use the shortest normal route and time of day may matter. 
Automatic Personal Tax Filing – CRA Consultation: CRA is seeking feedback (due Oct. 9, 2025) on automatic filing for simple tax returns.
Voluntary Disclosures Program Changes: New rules apply as of Oct. 1, 2025. Unprompted applications may mean no penalties and major interest relief, while prompted applications may still get reduced penalties, but much more limited interest relief.
Crypto Scams – Educational Videos: New CPA-produced educational videos share real-life examples of scam tactics, red flags to watch for, how to avoid them and what to do if victimized.
Applying the Law – Fairness?: Courts continue to enforce the tax law strictly, even when outcomes appear unfair.
A timely, practical roundup of key tax issues to help Canadian accounting professionals stay informed this fall.

Topics: Trust Disclosures – Certain NPOs | Moving Expenses – Travel Distance | Automatic Personal Tax Filing – CRA Consultation | Voluntary Disclosures Program Changes | Crypto Scams – Educational Videos | Applying the Law – Fairness?
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-october-2025
Learn more about Tax Update 2025: https://members.videotax.com/courses/tax-update-2025
Program Recorded: September 17, 2025
Life in the Tax Lane is for general information purposes only and deals with dynamic, time-sensitive and complex matters that may not apply to particular facts and circumstances. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized professional advice in connection with any particular matter. For more information visit videotax.com/disclaimer. ©Video Tax News Inc. 2025, All Rights Reserved.