Life in the Tax Lane (Canada)

March’s episode of Life in the Tax Lane is here!
As personal tax season intensifies and inboxes fill faster than they can be cleared, take a 10-minute break from T1 triage to review recent legislative action and court decisions with direct implications for compliance, documentation, and reassessment risk. 
This episode covers:
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: This benefit replacing the GST credit and providing enhancements with increased payments coming soon. 
Mutual Fund Trailing Commissions – GST/HST: CRA will treat trailing commissions as taxable supplies effective July 1, 2026.
Corporate Transfer of Assets to Shareholder’s Child: Below cost sale resulted in a shareholder benefit and denied loss to the corporation.
Under-Reported Income – Bookkeeping Errors: Weak oversight supported opening otherwise statute-barred years and gross negligence penalties.
Shareholder Benefits – Offsets: The court rejected retroactive loan offsets where there was no clear intent or year end accounting support, underscoring the need to clear personal expenses in the year and document the entries before filing.
Labour Mobility Deduction – Temporary Relocation Expenses: Employer allowances reduce but do not eliminate eligible temporary relocation deductions.
For firms balancing tight timelines and heightened CRA scrutiny, the episode offers practical reminders on documentation, systems oversight, and resolving issues before they become reassessments.
Sources: https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/life-in-the-tax-lane-march-2026
Learn more about available courses: https://members.videotax.com/courses
Program Recorded: February 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.

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.