Canada’s proposed tax on vacant land aims to tackle the housing crisis, but could it backfire? While the intention is commendable, experts warn that such measures may distort economic behavior and burden smaller developers. Instead of penalizing real estate developers, a more effective solution might be to offer tax incentives that encourage immediate construction. Drawing lessons from Ireland’s experience with similar policies, this article explores the potential pitfalls of a vacant land tax and advocates for a collaborative approach that benefits both the government and developers. Discover why tax breaks could be the key to solving Canada’s housing shortage.

On September 16, 2024, the federal government unveiled bold mortgage reforms aimed at tackling Canada’s housing crisis and making homeownership more accessible, particularly for younger generations. While these changes seem beneficial at first glance, a closer look reveals a more complex picture, especially for Millennials and Gen Z who are already grappling with high home prices in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Recent changes to capital gains inclusion rates have introduced complexities for corporations managing their Capital Dividend Account (“CDA”). Understanding these changes is crucial as they could result in significant unexpected penalties.

Inflation is often thought of as a gradual increase in prices, but it’s important to remember that it’s also a tax. As prices rise, the purchasing power of your income decreases, meaning you can buy fewer goods and services with the same amount of money. This can significantly impact your finances over time, especially if you’re not aware of how it’s affecting you.

Many experts and analysts are bracing for lacklustre returns in 2023. If you are an investor, you may sell some of your investments and trigger capital losses as you rebalance your portfolio. In this article, we outline some tax strategies that can go hand-in-hand with your investment decision that will put more money into your pockets.

The sentiment that a country ought to “tax the rich” has been circulating the airwaves for several years. With record levels of government spending, impending recession, inflation, an increase in immigration, and funding the Ukrainian war, the government needs more money. It seems like 2023 will be an opportune time for the Canadian government to introduce another round of tax on the rich (when the Liberals came to power in 2015, they also introduced a 4% tax hike on people in the top tax bracket).