CANADA’S COVID-19 ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN – KEY POINTS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

CANADA’S COVID-19 ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN – KEY POINTS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Since the beginning of March, restrictions and measures related to COVID-19 have rapidly escalated. While the first stages focused on public health and safety, in very short order, businesses and personal finances began to be affected. It is clear that these challenges will become worse before they get better. In an effort to combat these effects, the Government of Canada released a series of financial measures in mid-March.

This document summarizes selected government comments up to March 18, 2020.

 

INDIVIDUALS

Tax Return Due Date Deferral: The personal tax filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, those expecting refunds or benefits (such as the GST/HST credit, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Canada Child Benefit) should file as early as possible. The government release encourages Canadians not to delay their filings in order to ensure their income-tested benefits are accurately computed.

Tax Payment Deferral: Taxpayers may defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18, 2020 (also including installments) and before September 2020. The government documents indicate that payment will be deferred “until after August 31, 2020”, which seems to imply payment will be due on September 1. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.

Individuals Without Paid Sick Leave: For Canadians without paid sick leave (or similar workplace accommodation) who are sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children, the government is:

  • Waiving the one-week waiting period for those in imposed quarantine that claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits, effective March 15, 2020.
  • Waiving the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits.
  • Introducing the Emergency Care Benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks (comparable to EI sickness benefit). This benefit would provide income support to:
    • workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits;
    • workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not quality for EI sickness benefits; and
    • parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, regardless of whether they qualify for EI or not.

Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest (and continue to attest every two weeks) that they meet the eligibility requirements. Individuals can apply through CRA’s MyAccount, their My Service Canada Account, or by calling an automated toll-free number not yet released.

Longer-Term Income Support

  • An Emergency Support Benefit will provide up to $5.0 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. The individual amounts and process will be disclosed shortly.
  • Implementing changes to the EI Work Sharing Program, which provides EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hour as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers, by extending the eligibility of such agreements to 76 weeks, easing eligibility requirements, and streamlining the application process.
  • Low/Modest Income Individuals
    • A one-time special payment by early May 2020 through the Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC) will be made. This will double the maximum annual GSTC payment amounts and result in an average boost to income for those benefitting by close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
    • The maximum annual Canada Child Benefit payment amounts would be increased by $300 per child for the 2019-20 benefit year. This will be added to the May, 2020 benefit cheque.
  • Canadians Abroad: The Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad will provide the option of an emergency loan to Canadians in need of immediate financial assistance to return home or to temporarily cover their life-sustaining needs while they work toward their return. Each application will be assessed according to their specific situation and needs. This emergency assistance is a repayable loan. Eligible Canadians currently outside Canada and needing help to return home can contact the nearest Government of Canada office (https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates) or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available) or email .
  • Students: A six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all individuals currently in the process of repaying these loans will be provided.
  • Minimum RRIF Withdrawals: The required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) will be reduced by 25% for 2020. Similar rules would apply to individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution Registered Pension Plan.

 

BUSINESSES

Tax Payment Extension: Businesses may defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18, 2020 and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.

Other Payment and Filing Extensions: No comment was made about changing the filing and payments dates for payroll, GST/HST, and other non-income tax items.

CRA Audit Activity: CRA will not contact any small or medium businesses to initiate any post assessment GST/HST or Income Tax audits for the next four weeks. For the vast majority of businesses, the CRA will temporarily suspend audit interaction with taxpayers and representatives.

Liaison Officer Service: The Liaison Officer service is now available over the phone and will be customizing information by ensuring small businesses are aware of any changes such as filing and payment deadlines, proactive relief measures, etc.

Payroll Subsidies: The government is proposing to provide eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Businesses will benefit immediately from this support by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration. Employers benefiting from this measure will include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities.

 

OTHER FILINGS AND ADMINISTRATION

Trust Filing Due Date Deferral: For trusts having a taxation year ending on December 31, 2019, the return filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020.

T3 Slips Submission Date: No specific statement was made regarding the deadline for filing T3 slips reporting income taxable to the trust beneficiaries.

Other Returns: Many taxpayers are required to file other tax and information returns. No mention was made of these, including partnership returns and NR4 reporting slips.

EFILE Signatures: In order to reduce the necessity for taxpayers and tax preparers to meet in person, effective immediately the CRA will recognize electronic signatures as having met the signature requirements of the Income Tax Act, as a temporary administrative measure. This provision applies to authorization forms T183 or T183CORP.

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Individuals: Canada’s large banks have confirmed that this support will include up to a 6-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. Banks have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness.

Businesses

  • The Business Credit Availability Program will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses. The near-term credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector will also be increased through Farm Credit Canada.
  • The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced it is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer by 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, effective immediately. This action will allow Canada’s large banks to inject $300 billion of additional lending in to the economy.
  • For Exporters: The Minister of Finance would now be able to determine the limit of the Canada Account in order to deal with exceptional circumstances. The Canada Account is administered by Export Development Canada (EDC) and is used by the government to support exporters when deemed to be in the national interest.
  • Interest Rates: The Bank of Canada cut the prime interest rate to 0.75%. Other banks have also reduced rates.

 

Other Funding

  • Indigenous Community: $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund will be provided to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.
  • Homelessness: The Reaching Home initiative will be provided with $157.5 million to continue to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding could be used for a range of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters.
  • Domestic Abuse Shelters: Women’s shelters and sexual assault centers will receive $50 million to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.

 

CLOSING

Many of the measures listed above have only been announced recently (March 18, 2020) and are noted as requiring Royal Assent. In recent public comments, it was indicated that the opposition parties have promised their support to move these measures quickly, therefore, we can presumably expect draft legislation in the short term.

Over the next days and weeks, the specifics on these programs will be released. Most of the details for these initiatives will be released on one of these four webpages:

 

General: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/

diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse.html


CRA: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/

covid-19-update.html

 

Travel: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help


Employment and Social Development Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

 

As the situation develops further, there may be additional government measures, or modifications to those already announced.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

U.S. EXPATRIATES: New Relief Procedures

U.S. EXPATRIATES: New Relief Procedures

On September 6, 2019, the IRS announced Relief Procedures for Certain Former Citizens, a new process to facilitate eligible individuals in becoming compliant with their U.S. tax obligations, in conjunction with renouncing their U.S. citizenship (IR-2019-151). There was no announced specified termination date; however, a closing date will be announced in the future.

 Eligible individuals will be required to file U.S. tax returns, including all relevant disclosure filings, including financial account disclosures, for the year they renounce their citizenship and the five preceding years. Eligibility criteria include the following:

  • Only individuals (not corporations, trusts, partnerships, estates or other entities) are eligible.
  • Past non-compliance must be non-willful.
  • The individual must never have filed as a S. citizen or resident (an FAQ question indicated that prior filing of a 1040NR return, in the belief the individual was neither a resident nor a citizen will not disqualify them).
  • The individual’s net assets cannot exceed $2 millionS. at either the date of relinquishing citizenship or the date of the submission under these procedures, and their average net income tax for the five years preceding loss of citizenship cannot exceed an inflation-adjusted amount ($168,000 U.S. for 2019).
  • Taxes payable for the six years required to be filed cannot exceed $25,000 in aggregate after foreign tax credits and before penalties or interest are calculated. This does not include the “exit tax” which might apply outside the procedure, but is also not reduced for any U.S. withholdings.
  • The individual must have relinquished U.S. citizenship after March 18, 2010.
  • The individual must obtain a Social Security Number, if they do not already have one.

Assuming these criteria are met, no penalties or interest will apply, and any taxes payable for the six years, up to the $25,000 maximum, will be waived entirely. The individual will also be exempt from the “covered expatriate” rules, which could otherwise impose additional tax and filing requirements. However, the IRS will process submissions by non-eligible individuals under the ordinary rules, potentially attracting significant interest and/or penalty charges.

 

ACTION ITEM: Often, children of U.S. parents are surprised to learn that they too are considered U.S. persons and subject to U.S. taxation. This program may assist them in correcting their affairs and obligations.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

 

MOBILE HOMES, RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS: Loss of the Small Business Deduction?

MOBILE HOMES, RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS: Loss of the Small Business Deduction?

In an August 29, 2019 Tax Court of Canada case, at issue was whether the taxpayer who operated a mobile home/RV park was eligible to claim the small business deduction for the 2012-2014 years. CRA argued that the taxpayer primarily earned its income from the rental of seasonal and extended seasonal campsites and the storage of RVs and, therefore, carried on a specified investment business. Specified investment businesses are not eligible for the small business tax rate. Instead, they are taxed at over 50% in all provinces and territories, although 20.67% may be refunded when dividends are paid.

The taxpayer argued that it carried on an active business providing a significant bundle of services that were integral to its operations.

The majority of the taxpayer’s revenue related to fees charged to seasonal and extended seasonal campers. While shorter-term rents to daily campers occurred, these were much less common.

 Taxpayer loses

The Court found that the seasonal and extended seasonal campers were effectively paying to occupy a particular site for either 5 or 10 months of the year and often that, for the remainder of the year, the mobile home or RV was stored unoccupied on site. The Court ruled that the duration of the occupancy agreements in particular (seasonal and extended seasonal versus daily or weekly) suggested quite clearly that the principal purpose of the business was to derive rental income.

While the taxpayer provided other services including garbage pick-up, limited event planning, office hours and “on-call” availability, the Court found that the services and amenities offered did not reach the tipping point where the provision of services overcomes the provision of property. Instead, these features were used to entice customers such that the business could accomplish its principal purpose of earning rental income.

 NOTE: Even if the principle purpose of the business was to earn rental income, an exception is available (making the small business rate available) if the business employs more than five full-time staff.

 

ACTION ITEM: This case may have applicability to all corporations in which there is limited activity. In such cases, consider whether the income results more from the services provided, or for the use of the property. Consider what support or evidence you have that ties income earned to services provided.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES: Costs of an Assistant

EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES: Costs of an Assistant

 A November 5, 2019 Tax Court of Canada case reviewed the deductibility of employment expenses by a manager overseeing the Canadian sales force and operations of a multinational manufacturer of dental instruments and products. The taxpayer’s employer had no Canadian office, and she travelled extensively to meet with sales representatives, dealers and customers throughout Canada.

 

Expense of assistant

Almost half of the taxpayer’s claimed expenses, which exceeded $80,000, related to her husband’s role as her assistant. The Court noted that a deduction can be claimed for salary paid to an assistant, but that there were several problems with her claim, including the following:

 

  • The taxpayer’s husband was treated as self-employed and not as an employee. Any deduction must be for salary, requiring it be paid to an employee. This alone was fatal to the deduction claim.
  • The amount was not paid to her husband. Rather, they simply had a single joint bank account through which they both transacted. Lack of payment alone would prevent any deduction.
  • The taxpayer’s employer indicated it was the taxpayer’s decision whether she required an assistant. As her employer did not require her to hire an assistant, no deduction was available. This item alone would also prevent any deduction.
  • The husband’s services described were largely clerical, administrative, secretarial or driving, for which his hourly fee of $75 was not “anywhere close to the range of reasonable”.
  • The husband’s hours set out in quarterly billings were not supported – he could only account for a small fraction of the hours invoiced.
  • The husband claimed business expenses of almost 75% of his fees; however, the couple could not describe what expenses he incurred. The taxpayer “was sure this was a mistake”.

 No deduction was allowed for these costs.

 

ACTION ITEM: Support and documents are often requested by CRA when deductions against employment income are claimed. Ensure to retain all such support. If no T2200 has been provided for the current year, enquire with your employer as to whether one is available for the next.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

TRAVEL EXPENSES: Shareholder-Employees

TRAVEL EXPENSES: Shareholder-Employees

For an employee to deduct travel or motor vehicle expenses against employment income, the employee must be normally required to work away from the employer’s place of business, be required to pay the travel expense under the contract of employment, and have a signed and completed T2200. Also, the employee cannot receive an allowance excluded from income.

In 2017, CRA began denying travel expenses claimed on the personal tax return of many employees who were also shareholders of the employer or related to a shareholder. After receiving concerns from stakeholders regarding this new assessing practice, CRA reversed their assessments, indicating that “clear guidelines for taxpayers and their representatives” were important to the Canadian self-assessment system and that additional consultation and guidance was needed in this area.

In September of 2019 CRA released the promised guidance. It noted that the following conditions had to be met for employment expenses incurred by shareholder-employees to be deductible:

  1. The expenses were incurred as part of the employment duties and not as a shareholder.
  2. The worker was required to pay for the expenses personally as part of their employment

 

When the employee is also a shareholder, the written contract may not be adequate, and the implied requirements may be more difficult to demonstrate. However, CRA noted that both of these conditions may be satisfied if the shareholder-employee can establish that the expenses are comparable to expenses incurred by employees (who are not shareholders or related to a shareholder) with similar duties at the company or at other businesses similar in size, industry and services provided.

 

ACTION ITEM: Instead of deducting amounts against employment income, consider whether it would be better for the company to reimburse expenses of shareholder-employees, or perhaps, pay a tax-free travel allowance. If amounts will continue to be paid personally, retain support that shows how the travel expenditures are reasonable as compared to those of other similar arm’s length workers.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

CPP/EI RULINGS: Do they Trigger Payroll Audits?

CPP/EI RULINGS: Do they Trigger Payroll Audits?

In a June 7, 2019 Technical Interpretation, CRA commented on whether a CPP/EI ruling triggers follow-up assessing and review. These rulings often determine whether a worker is a contractor or employee, and therefore whether EI and/or CPP should be submitted to CRA. They also often consider whether an employee that is a family member of the owner is earning insurable amounts. Rulings can be initiated by the worker, the business, or another party with an interest, such as CRA.

CRA noted that after the completion of a ruling, a referral to the Trust Accounts Examination Division (often leading to a payroll audit) is not automatically sent. However, it is sent in situations such as where:

  • the ruling changed the worker’s status from employee to self-employed, or vice versa;
  • a related worker was determined to be dealing at arm’s length and, therefore, insurable, but no EI premiums had been remitted; and
  • an employee relationship was confirmed but there were no source deductions remitted or T4 submitted.

When a referral is received, an examination officer will contact the employer for an appointment to review the payroll books and records. Deduction and remittances for the period covered by the CPP/EI ruling will be confirmed and validated.

The officer will also review CRA’s database to determine whether there are any outstanding GST/HST returns. If found non-compliant, the GST/HST books and records will also be reviewed.

 

ACTION ITEM: If CRA challenges the categorization of a worker (employee vs. contractor), keep in mind that the implications of a reclassification could be significantly greater than the costs associated with the individual worker.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

TAX ON SPLIT INCOME: The 20 Hours Test

TAX ON SPLIT INCOME: The 20 Hours Test

The tax on split income (TOSI) can subject various income sources, with taxable private corporation dividends being the most common, to personal tax at the highest marginal rate. One of the exceptions from TOSI occurs when the income recipient is actively engaged in the business. An individual will be deemed to be actively engaged in any year in which the individual works in the business at least an average of 20 hours per week during the portion of the taxation year that the business operates.

 

Statutory holidays, sick days, vacations

In an August 6, 2019 French Technical Interpretation, CRA opined that days that an individual is paid for time that they do not actually work (such as statutory holidays, sick days, and annual vacations) should not be considered hours worked for the computation. For example, if an individual is paid for five days for a week, but only actually works four days due a statutory holiday on one of the days, only four days of work should be considered in the computation.

 

Less than 20 hours required

In a June 7, 2019 Technical Interpretation, two spouses contributed an equal amount of effort to a business that only required 10 hours of weekly work (5 hours each per week). Where the 20-hour test is not met, the spouses may still not be subject to TOSI if they can demonstrate that they were actively engaged on a “regular, continuous and substantial basis”.

While it is a question of fact, CRA stated that it is possible for this exception to be available in this scenario. Consideration should be given to the ongoing nature and labour requirements of the business for the particular year. In general, whether an individual is actively involved in a business will depend on the time, work and energy that the individual spends on the business.

The more an individual is involved in the management or day-to-day operations, the more likely they will be sufficiently involved.

 

ACTION ITEM: Document the activities in which individuals who may be subject to TOSI are involved in the business. When tracking time, do not include paid hours in which the individual was not working.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

FEDERAL CARBON TAX: Costs and Rebates

FEDERAL CARBON TAX: Costs and Rebates

 

On December 16, 2019, the Department of Finance announced the climate action incentive payment amounts for 2020. These payments are associated with the provinces that are subject to the federal backstop legislation. The following amounts may be claimed on the 2019 personal tax returns:

 

Category

Ontario

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Alberta

Single adult/first adult in a couple

$224

$243

$405

$444

Second adult in a couple or first child of a single parent

$112

$121

$202

$222

Each child under 18 not already included above

$56

$61

$101

$111

Baseline example for family of four

$448

$486

$809

$888

 

A 10% supplement is available for those that live in rural areas (communities outside of census metropolitan areas, CMAs).

 The 2020 climate action incentive payment payable to eligible Albertans will reflect fuel charge proceeds generated over a 15-month period. This consists of three months (January – March 2020) with a carbon price of $20 per tonne, plus 12 months (April 2020 – March 2021) with a carbon price of $30.

Also note that no federal incentive payments will be available for residents of New Brunswick this year since it will introduce a provincial program commencing on April 1, 2020 which removes the applicability of the federal backstop legislation.

 

ACTION ITEM: Ensure that changes in family status (marriage, new children etc.) are included in your 2019 personal tax return to get the full benefit of the program. Also note that most other provinces have similar rebate/incentive programs in place.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

MOTOR VEHICLE EXPENSES: Total Kilometres Driven

MOTOR VEHICLE EXPENSES: Total Kilometres Driven

In a September 17, 2019 Tax Court of Canada case, at issue was the deductibility of vehicle expenses, and in particular, the portion of total vehicle use that was for employment purposes. While initially challenged by CRA, the Court eventually accepted the credit card statements as support for the amounts expended. The taxpayer held and produced a T2200 which indicated that motor vehicle expenditures were requirements of employment.

 Taxpayer loses – vehicle expenses

The taxpayer had initially claimed 90% employment usage but later asserted that only 1,015 of her total 1,353 kilometres travelled (75%) were for employment purposes. This percentage is used to determine the portion of total vehicle expenses that can be deducted. The Court then noted that the total kilometres driven for the year were more likely approximately 10,000 based on the odometer readings listed on the third-party garage repair invoices provided throughout the year. As the reported employment kilometres (which were supported by a vehicle log) were about 10% of the total reported on the invoices, only 10% of expenses were allowed.

 

ACTION ITEM: In addition to employment/business travel logs, CRA may ask for support of total travel. Retain records that support total kilometres traveled such as repair receipts.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

ADOPTION EXPENSES: Step-Child

ADOPTION EXPENSES: Step-Child

 

In a June 20, 2019 Technical Interpretation, CRA was asked whether a taxpayer legally adopting the child of his or her common-law partner would be eligible to claim the costs under the adoption expense tax credit ($16,255 @ 15% for 2019). CRA opined that the credit could be claimed by the adoptive parent, but not by the biological parent, despite the usual ability for spouses to split this credit. CRA also noted that the provincial adoption law would have to be reviewed to determine whether a step-parent could legally adopt the child. In this case, noted as being in Alberta, provincial law allows the claim.

 

ACTION ITEM: Ensure to provide receipts associated with the adoption of a step-child when delivering your personal tax information.

 

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. As it is impossible to include all situations, circumstances and exceptions in a newsletter such as this, a further review should be done by a qualified professional.

No individual or organization involved in either the preparation or distribution of this letter accepts any contractual, tortious, or any other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use.

Marsha MacLean Professional Corporation