CNH Tax & Bookkeeping, Inc.
23-777 Norquay Drive R6W 2S2 Winkler, MB, Canada

If you suspect you may soon be working again, you may want to think twice before deciding to reapply for another CERB payment.

A reminder to set aside at least 25% of your CERB benefits for income taxes at the end of the year.

The government of Canada has now expanded the eligibility criteria for receiving the $2,000 monthly CERB Benefit. Full eligibility details have not been released, so we are waiting for the full details, but in our understanding the following are a summary of the announced changes: If you have had to stop working or significantly reduce your hours because of COVID-19 for at least 14 consecutive days in the first four week period you apply for, and earned less than $1,000 in t...hat same 14 day period, you can apply for the $2,000 benefit payment. For subsequent payments you will need to have had to stop working or have significantly reduced your hours and have earned less than $1,000 in the full 4-week period for which you are applying. This applies to both employed and self-employed people. https://www.cbc.ca//cerb-emergency-benefits-trudeau-1.5532 https://www.canada.ca//benefi/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html https://www.canada.ca//s/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

A quick handy guide if you have lost income because of COVID-19:

For those who have lost their employment or self-employment income, here are the details about how to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

For people wondering how the extra GST and Child benefit payments will work: 1. The extra GST benefit should be paid out on April 9 for most people and it will be up to a maximum of $290 per adult plus $153 per child (also an additional $290 instead of $153 for one child if you are a single parent). The reason I say maximum is because it is an income tested benefit but a lot of people locally, especially single parents will probably get the maximum. 2. The extra Child benefit... should be paid with the May payment and should be up to an additional $300 per child. Again, high income people may not see that much but most people will see $300 per child. 3. You don't have to file your 2019 return to get either one of these. They are paid in the July 2019 to June 2020 year which is based on 2018 taxes. If you didn't file your 2018 taxes you wouldn't be getting child benefits or GST right now to begin with. 4. It is not a taxable amount, just like regular GST and child benefits are not taxable. You don't have to put aside any taxes on this. The CERB benefits and EI are taxable, on the other hand, and you may end up paying taxes on these benefits.

Because of the physical distancing precautions that are being recommended, we are asking that people no longer book in-person appointments to get your taxes done. Please drop off your documents and information and we will process and give you a call when they are ready to pick up and sign. Also, we strongly recommend submitting your information by email to [email protected]. Please make sure to include any information that needs updating (new address, new dependents, marital s...tatus change, etc.). This will reduce in-person interactions. Thank you!

If you are a business that needs to temporarily lay off employees because of recent events, here is some guidance by the CFIB about how to file ROE's so they can temporarily collect EI, when they are eligible for EI, etc: If we are doing your payroll, contact us about filing ROE's, if necessary.

Please note that our office hours will be changing starting tomorrow: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM... Existing appointments will be honored. Keep in mind that you can also submit your information for tax filing by email, and any questions can be done by phone or email. Phone 204-331-1726 Email [email protected]

Since people have been asking, it is expected to be announced tomorrow that the income tax filing deadline will be pushed up to June 1, 2020, and the deadline to pay your 2019 taxes without interest will be pushed up to July 31, 2020. This is effective for the 2019 tax returns.

It’s the time of year again where customers try to fatten us up. We really don’t mind.

We will be closed on Tuesday, August 27, and Wednesday, August 28 because of a funeral out of province that most of us are attending. Thank you for understanding.

Remember that if you sold a property in 2018, you need to report the sale on your 2018 tax return, even if it was your personal residence! If the property has been your personal residence the whole time it was owned, and you haven't claimed the personal residence exemption for any other property for all of the years it was owned, you won't be taxed on any gains on the sale. However, failure to report the sale can result in penalties of up to $100 per month for every month it is reported late, up to a maximum of $8,000.

What's new in 2019? Since the federal government imposed a carbon tax in Manitoba starting January 1, 2019, they have introduced a Climate Action Incentive refundable tax credit which you will be able to claim starting on the 2018 tax return. You will receive a refundable base credit of $170, plus $85 for a spouse or common-law partner and $42 for each eligible dependent (child). In addition, you will receive an additional 10% credit if you reside outside of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Make sure your tax preparer checks the box to apply for this credit on your 2018 tax return! For more info, visit the following link:https://www.canada.ca//pricing-pollution-how/manitoba.html