Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Accountants at HTH CPA's Tax Tip: Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Returns

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses, small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham is a Trusted Saskatoon Accounting firmand in their latest helpful Saskatoon accounting and tax tip, they explain the new Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Returns.

Underused Housing Tax (UHT) 

The Government of Canada implemented the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) on June 9, 2022, and as of December 31, 2022, it will impact certain residential property owners. 

 

A residential property owner who is not classified as an “Excluded Owner” must file the UHT return by April 30 of the following year. They may be required to pay an annual 1% tax on the Taxable Value or the Fair Market Value of the vacant or underused housing.  

 

Excluded Owners include Canadian citizens and permanent residents, so most individuals will not need to file a UHT return. However, all private corporations, partnerships and trusts (even those owned by Canadian citizens) who own residential property will be required to file a UHT return annually, even if they are exempt from the UHT.  

 

Failure to file a UHT return has significant penalties, starting at $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations. Further, failure to file could lead to the UHT being payable, even if an exemption should have applied.  

 

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (except in capacity as a partner or trustee), no action is required on your part. Anyone else who owns residential property, including individuals who own the property as a partner or trustee, may want to consider discussing your situation with your tax advisor.  

 

Exemptions

Your ownership of a residential property may be exempt from the Underused Housing Tax for a calendar year depending on:
  • the type of owner you are
  • the availability of the residential property
  • the location and use of the residential property
  • the occupant of the residential property
Remember, if you are an affected owner of a residential property in Canada on December 31 you still have to file an Underused Housing Tax return for the residential property for the calendar year, even if your ownership qualifies for an exemption.

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If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountancy firm contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

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Tax specialist



20 Ways to Maximize Your Tax Return in 2022 from Hounjet Tastad Harpham your Trusted Saskatoon Accountants

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham is a  Trusted Saskatoon Accountanting firm and in this accounting tax tip, they share the ways you can maximize your Tax Return in 2022. 


Maximize Your Tax Return With These 20 Helpful Tips From Hounjet Tastsad Harphman Accountants.

See how you can use tax credits and tax deductions to get more money back this tax season.


Every Canadian must file their own tax return every year, even if they have a spouse. There are ways to maximize your spousal tax situation using methods like income splitting and transferring deductions between each other. Generally, the spouse with the higher income and tax bill should maximize deductions first as they’re likely to be in a higher tax bracket. 

Do you dread tax season?

If you’re expecting a refund or claiming any benefits or credits such as the GST/HST credit or Canada Child Benefit, it can work out well for you. In order to maximize your tax return, you need to calculate your taxable income first and then lower it using as many tax deductions and credits as possible. A deduction reduces your taxable income, while a credit minimizes the amount of tax you owe. You need to file your taxes by April 30, 2022. The deadline is extended to June 15, 2022, if you're self-employed or have a spouse or common-law partner who is self-employed. 


There are hundreds of credits and deductions you can take advantage of we share 20 of the most common. 


Childcare Expenses


If your child is under the age of 16 years old, you may be able to claim a deduction. Childcare expenses include daycare centres, summer camps, overnight boarding schools, and caregivers such as nannies. Generally, childcare expenses must be deducted by the spouse with a lower income.



Spousal & Child Support Payments


Support payments sent to a former spouse and/or children can have a noticeable impact on your tax bill. Tax rules will vary depending on the type: spousal or child support


Student Loan Interest


If you or your child is studying at a post-secondary institution, you can deduct the interest paid on a student loan if you received the loan under the Canada Student Loans Act, Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, Apprentice Loans Act, or similar laws in your province or territory. This deduction does not apply to something like a personal loan or line of credit. Apply this deduction if you owe taxes. Otherwise, it’s better to carry it forward. Interest can be carried forward and applied to any tax return for the next five years.


 Maximize your RRSP Contribution


Your RRSP contribution limit is 18% of your earned income from the last tax year, plus any unused amounts from previous years. Check out your latest notice of assessment or log into your CRA My Account to find out what your RRSP contribution limit is. It’s a good idea to maximize your RRSP contribution in any way you can. You can even transfer TFSA interest gains (which are tax-free) to bump up your RRSP contribution. If you don’t currently contribute to an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan), it’s not too late to benefit from a significant tax deduction for the 2021 tax year. You have until March 1, 2022, to contribute. Use Wealthsimple’s free RRSP and TFSA calculators for more insights on how you can maximize your savings. Read more: TFSA vs. RRSP in 2022: Comparing What’s Best for You



Property Taxes (owners) & Rental Payments (tenants)


Landlords can use Form T776 to claim property taxes for the period in which a rental property was available for rent. Employed and self-employed tenants can claim partial rent payments as a home office expense if they use their home for employment or business purposes.


Association & Union Dues


Most professional association fees and union fees are tax-deductible, therefore lowering your taxable income


 

Employment Expenses


You can deduct work expenses such as cell phone bills and office supplies if your employer asked you to purchase them. Educators can also claim up to $1,000 of eligible teaching supplies.


Tuition Expense


Post-secondary tuition fees can be deducted. Qualifying students can check the tax form from their educational institution to learn how much tuition fees were paid this year


Moving Expenses


If you moved at least 40 kilometres closer to your work, a new business, or for post-secondary schooling, you can claim expenses from that move. Qualifying expenses include storage costs, travel expenses, temporary living expenses, the cost of cancelling a lease, and more.



Medical & Charitable Expenses


You may receive a partial deduction for charitable donations and certain medical expenses, including any medical cannabis products you purchased as a patient. Spouses should consider pooling contributions on one spouse’s tax return for maximum benefit.


Home Buyers’ Amount


You can claim a $5,000 tax credit if you purchased your first home and did not live in another home owned by you or your partner in the past four years.


GST/HST New Housing Rebate


You may qualify for the GST/HST New Housing Rebate if you did substantial renovations or purchased or built a new home. A similar provision exists for landlords under certain conditions.



Provincial Credits


In addition to federal and provincial GST/HST credits, Saskatchewan has additional credits for certain segments of the population. These include safety-related home renovations for seniors in New Brunswick to climate action incentives in British Columbia. Check out Saskatchewan's website to see what credits you may be entitled to.


Capital Gains - RRSP & TFSA 


Always try to leverage your TFSA and RRSP accounts because the interest earned in these accounts are tax-free. While this won’t create a tax deduction, it will help you grow your savings.


Write Off Capital Losses


If one of your investments goes sour and you sell it at a loss, you may be able to apply it against your taxable capital gains. If you don’t have enough capital gains to cover the loss, you can claim the leftover amount as a net capital loss. Net capital losses can be used to lower capital gains in any of the three preceding tax years or carried forward to future tax years. Keep in mind you can't deduct capital losses in tax-free accounts like RRSPs and TFSAs. Learn more about capital losses on the CRA website.


Self-employed Business Expenses


Small business owners can deduct various business expenses, including advertising costs, bank fees, office supplies, and travel expenses. Those who work from home can claim a portion of their utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs. Deductible amounts are based on what portion of the residence is used for business purposes.



Disability Tax Credit


The disability tax credit (DTC) helps disabled individuals and family members reduce the amount of income tax they pay. To qualify for the DTC, a medical practitioner must certify you’re living with a severe mental or physical disability. Payment amounts vary by province, but if you qualify for this tax credit, it could open the door to other benefits


Home Office Expenses


Did you work at home during the pandemic? If so, the CRA has implemented a new temporary flat rate method that makes it easier to claim deductions for home office expenses. You can claim $2 for each day you worked from home, up to a maximum of $400 (200 working days). There is also no need to calculate the size of your workspace, keep supporting documents, or submit Form T2200 


Canada Workers Benefit


If you’re a low-income worker, you can claim the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) when you file your taxes. The refundable tax credit provides up to $1,381 for single individuals and $2,379 for families. It also includes a disability supplement if you have an approved Disability Tax Credit Certificate (Form T2201) on file with the CRA. If you qualify, you can request an advance payment, which allows you to receive half of your benefit in four separate payments. 



Canada Training Credit


The Canada Training Credit supports workers over age 26 by reducing barriers to professional development. It offers $250 every year ($ 5,000-lifetime limit) for eligible tuition and other course fees. 




Accounting Services:

If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountant for your personal taxes or business accounting needs, contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants



Hounjet Tastad Harpham Trusted Saskatoon accountant share Canada Tax Deadline info.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants and in their latest accounting tip, they share info about the Canada Tax Deadline 

Canada Tax Deadline

The time when Canadians will be able to shed their toques and snow boots is still months away, but tax season is right around the corner. Get ready to tell the government how much money you made last year, how much you already paid in tax and hope that the difference will put a few dollars back into your pocket.

But whether you’re in for a refund or a tax bill this year, simply filing your return can be stressful. There are old receipts to be gathered, deadlines to put on your calendar and new rules you should know about.

WATCH: Canadians pay on average 42.5 percent of their income in taxes, reports finds


When’s the tax deadline?

As usual, April 30 is the date most Canadians need to keep in mind. For the majority of tax filers, this is the deadline to both pay any tax due and file your return.

  • If you’re self-employed, this year you have until June 17 to file (the deadline is normally June 15, but that falls on a Saturday this year). Remember, though, that if you owe taxes, you still need to pay up by April 30.
  • If you’re late to either settle your balance or send in your paperwork, you’ll face late-filing penalty and daily interest charges on any taxes owed.

When’s the earliest I can file my taxes?

If you just can’t wait to get that big refund, know that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will start accepting electronic returns on Feb. 18.

Most people want to skip the tax-processing queue because they anticipate getting money back. But having a big tax bill is also a good reason to file early. That allows you to set up a plan to pay your tax in instalments. The more you manage to pay by April 30, the fewer extra charges you’ll face.

What is the deadline to contribute to my RRSP?

You can put money into your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) any time. But if you want to get a tax refund for your RRSP contribution with your 2018 return, the cutoff for adding funds is March 1.

WATCH: A look at how taxes affect your savings outside an RRSP or TFSA


What's New in 2019?

A few things:

New and improved tax breaks:

  • Climate Action Incentive. Canadians who live in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick are in for an extra tax credit this year. The money, which may create or boost a tax refund or reduce a balance owing, is meant to offset the cost of the carbon tax in provinces that haven’t established a carbon price of their own. Once the tax goes into effect on April 1, it will push up the cost of gasoline by 4.42 cents a litre, that of natural gas by 3.91 cents per cubic metre and that of propane by 3.1 cents a litre, according to government estimates. In an unusual move, Ottawa is putting cash into Canadians’ pocket before they incur the extra expense. According to the federal government’s calculations, the average household (defined as 2.6 people) in Saskatchewan will spend $403 more but receive $598 under the climate-action incentive. In all jurisdictions, residents of small and rural communities will receive an additional 10 percent supplement. The amount of the tax credit depends on family size — you can use this table to calculate how much your household can claim. It’s important to note that the tax credit applies to the household, not the individual taxpayer, said Lisa Gittens of H&R Block. This means that only one person for every family living under the same roof should claim the credit on her return, she added. All you have to do to receive the credit is file taxes and claim the credit in a new schedule that will come with the income-tax package in the four affected provinces.

New carbon tax takes effect in SK we have a tip on it here: CAI In Saskatchewan.  

  • Medical expense tax credit for service animals. In certain circumstances, Canadians suffering from severe mental impairment will now be able to claim the cost of caring for service animals as a medical expense. The credit is only for animals trained to perform specific tasks that help their owners cope with their impairment. Examples of those tasks include things like “guiding a disoriented patient, searching the home of a patient with severe anxiety before they enter, and aiding a patient experiencing night terrors,” according to H&R Block.
  • Accelerated capital cost allowance rates. Self-employed Canadians and business owners, listen up. This year you might be able to get more money back for the cost of things like business equipment, office furniture and computers. All those things lose value as they age, so the CRA allows you to gradually claim the cost of these purchases over the years. The good news is that in your 2018 return you’ll be able to get a bigger tax break for equipment bought after Nov. 20 of last year. For example, say you spent $1,000 last December on a new couch for your office. In the past, you’d have been able to claim only $100 of that expense for the first year. Now, you’ll be able to claim 50 per cent more than that, or $150. The change will apply for purchases of eligible equipment made up until the end of 2023 and be phased out between 2024 and 2027. The capital cost allowance reduces your taxable professional or business income.

Tax breaks you can no longer claim:

  • Tuition. Students in Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick can no longer claim a provincial tax credit for their tuition expenses, noted Warren Orlans at TurboTax. The federal tuition tax credit, however, is still alive and well. Students over the age of 16 who are enrolled in post-secondary level courses can usually claim their tuition costs to help offset their tax bill. If they don’t have a lot of taxes to offset – which is often the case for students – they can carry forward the credit or pass it on to an eligible relative, which includes parents and grandparents. However, it’s the student who needs to claim the tax credit on her or his return, regardless of who will ultimately benefit from the tax break. The federal credit is 15 percent of your eligible tuition. For example, if you paid $2,000 in fees, you would be able to claim a $300 tax credit.


Tax-rate changes:

  • Lower tax rate for small business. 
The federal small business tax rate applies to business income up to $500,000 dropped from 10.5 percent to 10 percent in 2018 and came down another notch, to nine percent, as of Jan. 1, 2019. On the other hand, Ottawa also tightened the rules on so-called passive income. This is the income businesses earn when they invest surplus profits in things like mutual funds and real estate. As long as the extra cash stays inside the company, it is taxed at the corporate tax rate, which is lower than the rates that apply to individuals. The federal government contends many Canadians have been using passive income and its low corporate tax rate to grow their personal savings, so it tightened passive income rules. Under the new regimes, businesses with less than $50,000 in annual passive income can claim the full $500,000 at the small business rate. The federal government also cracked down on the practice, common among business owners, to sprinkle income to relatives in lower tax brackets as a way of reducing the family tax bill. With the new rules, there’s no tax advantage to income sprinkling unless business owners can prove that family members are, or have been within the previous five years, actively engaged in the business. The reduction in the small-business tax rate softens the effect of the tighter passive income and income sprinkling rules, Orlans noted. For some business owners, the changes will cancel each other out, he said. “When people file through the software, everything calculates itself in the back end, so people aren’t going to see a change in the income they’re claiming.”


Service upgrades from the CRA: 

  • CRA has a new phone system. More than a year after the auditor general blasted the CRA for issues at its call centres, the agency has migrated to a new phone platform. When Canadians call this year, the CRA is promising they will receive an estimated wait time to speak with an agent instead of the familiar busy signal or message to call back later. Callers will have the choice to wait on the phone, call back later or use automated options. The new system will also be able to route calls to agents with the skills necessary to deal with the question or issue at stake, the agency said. The auditor general found that even when Canadians did manage to get through to a CRA agent, they would get wrong information from almost 30 per cent of them. This tax season will be the test of whether the agency has made meaningful progress.


  • Pay your taxes with an app. Many Canadians already pay most of their bills through their phones. Starting in February they’ll be able to do so with taxes, too. The MyCra web-based app will let you view and pay your tax balance with Interac, Visa Debit or Debit MasterCard, or by pre-authorized debit. You can also use the app to pay your taxes at a Canada Post outlet for a fee by generating a quick response (QR) code.


  • Paper tax return shipped to your home. If you filed your taxes the old-fashioned way last year, the CRA will ship the 2018 income tax paperwork to your doorstep. If your package hasn’t appeared by February 11, you can download a copy of the return online or order a copy from the CRA.


  • Email notifications about account information changes. If you’ve signed up for this service, starting on February 11, the CRA will begin to send you email notifications about account changes like updates to your address or direct-deposit information. This should make it easier to spot suspicious activity in your account.

Contact Hounjet Tastad Harpham today if you have any further questions related to the Canada Tax Deadline. 




Hounjet Tastad Harpham Services:

If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountant for your personal taxes or business accounting needs, contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants

Hounjet Tastad Harpham Trusted Saskatoon accountant answer questions about the new Climate Action Incentive in Saskatchewan

 

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants and in their latest accounting tip, they answer a client question about how the new Climate Action Incentive ( CAI) (commonly referred to as the carbon tax rebate) program works. 



Climate Action Incentive (CAI) 

Recently a client emailed us to ask a few questions before they dropped off their 2019 personal tax information. This particular client has been in a common law relationship for 7 years and has 3 children from a previous relationship.  


The CAI Question: 


Greetings Roseline, I'm going to drop off my information tomorrow, but I just wanted to ask about the new Federal ECO/Carbon Tax rebate program/ incentive - how is it decided , how is it calculated and who receives it? 

The Answer 


Individuals in Saskatchewan will receive a tax-free Climate Action Incentive payment after filing their 2018 tax return starting in 2019. Climate Action Incentive payments in Saskatchewan will be calculated as follows for 2019:

The carbon tax rebate can be claimed by either spouse, so it’s up to you to decide which one.  
You can’t split it – it has to go to one or the other.  In this case, we suggested that the client put it on her return because it includes the children.  The rebate gives $305 for the individual, $152 for the spouse, and $76 per child, for a total of $685.00.  

Depending on financial arrangements,  the client who receives the rebate may then split half of the adult CAI  (305 +152= ) and give their partner/spouse $228.50, keeping the 3 children's rebate for their expenses. 

What About Other Family Circumstances? 



The amount for a single parent's qualified dependant:


To claim the CAI payment for a single parent’s qualified dependant, on December 31, 2018, you must:

  • not be married or in a common-law partnership, and
  • have a child (or dependant) who meets all the conditions of a qualified dependant.

Shared custody

Only one claim for a CAI payment can be made per child. The payment cannot be split between parents.


Supplement for residents of small and rural communities

To claim the supplement for residents of small and rural communities, you must have resided outside of a census metropolitan area (CMA) on December 31, 2018.


Find out if you qualify for the 10% supplement for residents of small and rural communities. 

 

ProvinceBasic AmountSpouse or common-law
partner amount
Qualified dependant
amount
Single parent's 
qualified dependant
amount
Saskatchewan$305$152$76$152

Claim the CAI payment

To claim the CAI payment, you must:

  1. complete your 2018 income tax and benefit return
  2. complete Schedule 14 included with your return
  3. send (file) your return to the Canada Revenue Agency

The CAI payment will be automatically applied to your balance owing for the year, if applicable, or may increase the amount of any refund you may be entitled to.


Contact Hounjet Tastad Harpham today if you have any further questions related to CAI. 




Hounjet Tastad Harpham Services:

If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountant for your personal taxes or business accounting needs, contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants



Trusted Saskatoon Accountants Hounjet Tastad Harpham Share Changes To Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance.

Trusted Saskatoon Accouontants Hounjet Tastad Harpham is a locally owned and operated accounting firm in Saskatoon. While they are based in Saskatoon, they serve clients across the entire province. Hounjet Tastad Harpham has spent decades gaining the trust of the people of Saskatchewan and has gained a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and consistent accounting firms in the city, and province. They provide accounting and tax services for small, medium, and large businesses, as well as individuals and non-profit organizations. Hounjet Tastad Harpham is a partnership between Roseline Hounjet, Allyn Tastad, and Dustin Harpham.


Accelerated capital cost allowance is changed.


With the tax changes announced in the federal government’s fall economic statement, farmers can get more capital cost allowance sooner on the purchase of equipment.

Some equipment dealers are using this accelerated investment incentive property (AIIP) as a sales tool. Here’s what has changed and what it means in actual dollars. Taxes are certainly not my area of expertise. Thanks to Saskatoon accountant Allyn Tastad of Hounjet Tastad Harpham for walking me through the changes and the implications.

The changes apply to property acquired after Nov. 20, 2018, that becomes available for use before 2028. Farm equipment qualifies. One exception is a property that was previously owned by the taxpayer or by a non-arm’s length person or partnership.    

 The incentive accelerates the amount of   capital cost allowance that can be deducted   from taxable income. First of all, the half-year   rule has been suspended. Until now, you   could only claim half of the regular allowance   in the year that something was purchased.   Now you can claim 100 per cent of the   applicable capital cost allowance in the year   of purchase.

In addition, the first year of capital cost allowance has been bumped up by 50 percent. In practical terms, a producer will have equipment in various capital cost allowance categories. Net additions to any class will be increased by a factor of 50 percent for calculating the first-year capital cost allowance.

 

For subsequent years, the allowance deduction returns to normal. 

So how does all this work in practice? Let’s say you buy a new or used tractor for $100,000. Tractors and other self-propelled equipment are in Class 10 and eligible for a 30 percent capital cost allowance.

If you purchased the tractor before Nov. 20, the capital cost allowance in the first year is 15 percent or $15,000. This is half of the 30 percent allowance in the first year of purchase.    

     

If the tractor is bought after Nov. 20, the half-year rule is suspended, plus the amount is bumped up by a factor of 1.5 times. Rather than a capital cost allowance of 15 percent, you can deduct 45 percent, which is 45,000.

 

How does this affect your tax bill? If you’re running an incorporated farm with a federal tax rate of 12 percent, the $45,000 capital cost allowance reduces your tax bill by $5,400. The same tractor purchased before Nov. 20 would generate a reduction in taxes of only $1,800.

 

This is a federal incentive to buy equipment and stimulate the economy. However, remember that when you’re allowed to claim more allowance in year one, it reduces how much is left for subsequent years. The total amount of deduction hasn’t been increased. You just get to claim deductions sooner.             

 Farmers who are old enough may remember the tax credit that existed on new equipment purchases back in the 1980s. You actually received an extra tax credit over and above the capital cost allowance. That’s been gone for decades and this new incentive should not be described as a tax credit. It’s merely an acceleration of the expense you can claim. 

There is value to receiving more of your tax deduction earlier, but when you work through the numbers, this shouldn’t move the needle very much when deciding whether to upgrade equipment. Other considerations remain much more important.


If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountant for your personal taxes or business accounting needs, contact the team today.


Check out their listing here: Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants


Information sourced from  https://www.producer.com/2018/12/accelerated-capital-cost-allowance-is-changed/  By Kevin Hursh

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