All posts by Nevcon Accounting

What You Need to Know About the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)’s Upcoming GST/HST Holiday in Canada

Banner of gift-wrapped boxes (Getty)Nevcon is getting lots of questions about the proposed GST/HST holiday. If approved, it will give Canadian consumers some temporary tax relief on a range of goods and services going into the holidays. Here is some information from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and other sources to help you prepare.

From December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, certain goods and services will be exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). However, as of now, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has not released specific regulations or detailed guidelines about this temporary tax break.

Here’s what we know so far, along with what to expect from the CRA.

The Tax Relief Initiative at a Glance

The federal government’s tax holiday aims to ease the financial burden on Canadians by eliminating GST and HST on specific categories of goods and services. This initiative, announced on November 21, 2024, includes a wide range of items such as:

  • Prepared Foods and Beverages: Restaurant meals, snacks, and certain low-alcohol beverages.
  • Children’s Products: Clothing, footwear, diapers, and car seats.
  • Toys and Entertainment: Board games, video game consoles, and physical game media.
  • Reading Materials: Printed books and newspapers.
  • Seasonal Items: Christmas trees and similar goods.

With this exemption, families could see significant savings during the holiday shopping season. For example, a family spending $2,000 on qualifying goods could save approximately $100 in GST—and potentially much more in HST provinces like Ontario.

What’s Missing? CRA Guidelines

While the initiative has been well-received, businesses and consumers alike are awaiting detailed regulations from the CRA. These guidelines are expected to clarify:

  1. Eligible Goods and Services: A precise list of qualifying items.
  2. Implementation for Businesses: Instructions on how businesses should handle the tax exemption at the point of sale.
  3. Reporting Requirements: Details on how businesses should report these transactions to the CRA.
  4. Enforcement and Compliance: Steps to ensure businesses and consumers adhere to the rules.

The CRA’s guidance will be crucial for businesses to prepare their systems and processes, ensuring they can apply the exemption seamlessly and avoid potential compliance issues.

What Businesses and Consumers Can Do Now

While waiting for the CRA’s official regulations, here are some proactive steps you can take:

For Businesses:

  1. Monitor CRA Announcements: Regularly check the CRA’s official website and subscribe to updates.
  2. Prepare Your Systems: Consult with your accounting or point-of-sale (POS) providers to ensure your systems can handle temporary tax adjustments.
  3. Educate Your Team: Train your staff to identify eligible items and correctly apply the exemption once the guidelines are released.

For Consumers:

  1. Know the Dates: The tax exemption period runs from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025—plan your purchases accordingly.
  2. Check with Retailers: Confirm whether specific items are GST/HST-free at checkout during the exemption period.
  3. Stay Informed: Follow reputable news outlets or visit the CRA’s website for updates.

Looking Ahead

The CRA is expected to release detailed regulations in the coming weeks. These will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this initiative. Whether you’re a business owner preparing for the busiest shopping season or a consumer looking to maximize your savings, staying informed is key.
Keep an eye out for CRA updates and make sure you’re ready to take full advantage of this holiday tax break. In the meantime, plan your shopping list and get ready to save!

Here is a descriptive list from the Government of Canada of the items that will qualify for the HST relief.

More money in your pocket: A tax break for all Canadians
From: Department of Finance Canada

Have questions about the GST/HST holiday? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll help you navigate this new initiative.

Is Xero the accounting software you’re working with, or should be working with?

Xero logoXero business accounting software connects you to your bank, accountant, bookkeeper, and other business apps. It’s a useful and straightforward application with which Nevcon Accounting is very familiar and prepared to use with any of our clients. Xero is designed to allow business owners and their accounting professionals to collaborate seamlessly and securely.

The Xero Accounting mobile app works in tandem with the Xero accounting software so you can run your small business online from anywhere. Xero helps you keep track of your unpaid and overdue invoices, bank account balances, profit and loss, cash flow and bills to pay – plus reconcile bank accounts and convert quotes to invoices.

Take a look on the Xero web site for more information. If it sounds like Xero would work well for you, Nevcon can assist you in moving to their system. Contact us for a meeting to review how we can get you set up!

Do you already use Xero, and would like to collaborate with us using the application? For us to work together in Xero, you first need to invite us into your Xero organization to take a look at how you’re set up. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your Xero settings.

Xero settings screen, step 1 of giving accounting permissions

2. Go to Xero to Xero settings to allow us to work with you.

Xero settings screen, step 2 of giving accounting permissions

3. Give us Advisor settings to work with you in Xero.

Xero settings screen, step 3 of giving accounting permissions

Looking forward to working with you!

See you at Accountex Canada in November?

We learned a lot last time

… so we’re heading again to Accountex Canada this November 5-6, 2024. Will we see you there?

Accountex Canada logo and 2024 conference infoAs always, Accountex Canada will have its eye on the latest updates in the accounting and finance services. The format of the events over two days allows for knowledge sharing and networking opportunities with industry experts. The event will cover essential topics such as financial planning, taxation, auditing and more.

I know I also enjoy and benefit a lot at events like this as I reconnect with colleagues, network with new accounting professionals, and gaining new information and important insights into the trends, technologies and more that can benefit accountants and their clients. That, in turn, benefits all Nevcon clients!

Changes to the way the Nevcon Accounting client portal works

At the beginning of this year, Nevcon Accounting changed the way we do our work processes to make it more efficient and informative to you, with the use of email messages and questionnaires depending on the type of service you receive or are seeking from us. Most of you have gone through these changes by completing your T1 personal tax returns and you probably noticed the process was very different from last year. It has also been implemented in all business areas of Nevcon.

One particular area of change was the transition of our back end portal from Sharefile to TaxDome. With TaxDome’s automation, it allowed us to efficiently move from using five different services to run the business to two. The ability to have automations happening within the questionnaires, with more or fewer questions being asked depending on the answer is a big improvement, along with uploading all the relevant documents at the same time as questions were answered.

Click here to go to the Taxdome web site.

Being able to use an app on your phone or tablet was functionality and convenience we have wanted to add for our clients for a few years. But the most important feature was being able to let you know where in the process your tax return was. Before you would only get an email message when the return was done, but now you get them along the way to keep you informed all through the process. More changes are still coming, like the back end for invoices, which will also make it easier for you, our clients. We’re also carefully considering more AI to craft our communication to assist in responding quickly to your questions.

During these changes, all your historical documents have been moved over to the new system. Please let us know if your area of the portal does not seem to have everything you expect.

Links to key 2024 Federal Budget coverage

Nevcon Accounting is pleased to provide the following links to articles, analyses and more, to help you learn more about the 2024 Canadian Federal Budget, delivered April 16, 2024.

Completed email/web site service windows

Update as of March 25, 2024
All site maintenance processes are now completed. You should have full access to our web site and linked portals, and should be able to contact us by email. However, please be in touch if you have any questions or problems.

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Nevcon Accounting has been informed by its web hosting company that there will be upcoming periods for site maintenance during which email and web site access may be affected, as follows:

February 10-11, 2024
March 23-24, 2024

These periods occur on weekends, to minimize disruptions. Once the work is completed, normal email and web site access should resume without interruption. During these service windows, you should also be able to access your client portal accounts via direct links bypassing the Nevcon web site. Contact us with any questions.

During these periods, if you are unable to reach Nevcon by email, we recommend leaving a voice mail message at 416-487-7996 or 705-702-0175.

New year, fresh start!

Line drawing of a megaphone - means we're announcing something new from Nevcon Accounting!As a fresh start to the new year, Nevcon Accounting is moving to a new platform for sharing client documents and information.

We will be taking care of the heavy lifting (that is, setting up accounts and securely moving files). When your account is ready, you’ll receive detailed information on how to make the most of this new platform.

In the mean time, please contact us if you have any questions.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

As always, it’s been wonderful working with clients and colleagues this year. It was a particular pleasure to see you in person this year at some great conferences!

We wish everyone a magical and relaxing holiday season, and much peace, hope, joy, good health, great opportunities and prosperity in the new year. We look forward to working with you again in 2024!

Frosty Aurora by Jeremy Bible - a snowman gazes up into a brilliant winter sky
Image: Frosty Aurora by Jeremy Bible

Learned a lot at Accountex Canada!

Accountex Canada
In early November, I was very pleased to attend the Accountex Canada conference and trade show in Toronto. What an amazing event, from which I’ve returned rejuvenated with all kinds of great new ideas for providing and enhancing the services Nevcon offers.

The Accountex conference presented over 60 leading financial/tech companies and a continuing professional development (CPD) accredited education program. As they described it – and I wholeheartedly agree! – the conference was tailored to provide attendees with the latest updates in the accounting and finance services, allowing for knowledge sharing and networking opportunities with industry experts. The event covered essential topics such as financial planning, taxation, and auditing.

Once again, I so enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues, networking with new accounting professionals, and gaining valuable insights into the trends, technologies and more that can benefit accountants and their clients. Ask me how what I’ve learned can help you and your business thrive!

Heading to The ONE!

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be attending CPA (Chartered Professional Accountants) Canada’s The ONE Conference in person in Halifax!

CPA Canada The ONE Conference logo

As CPA Canada describes it, “The ONE National Conference was created to connect and inspire accountants as members of one unified profession. Now in its tenth year, The ONE continues to grow and evolve – offering a dynamic program of cutting-edge content to help CPAs build new skills and keep up with the pace of change.”

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues, networking with new accounting professionals, learning about trends, technologies and more that can benefit accountants and their clients … and returning refreshed and inspired to handle all your accounting needs!