COVID-19

A quick update on how we are responding to COVID-19, recent announcements from the Government of Canada, and links to additional information.

How we’re responding to COVID-19
We will continue to support our clients during this difficult time.  Our office remains open, our staff can work from home, we are regularly sanitizing surfaces and handshakes have been replaced by waves.

We are encouraging our clients to visit our office only when necessary and for as little time as possible.  Try to send your information to us electronically through the client portal.  If there’s a lot of paper involved, send it via courier or mail or drop it off at the front desk.  Similarly, we will send documents to you through the portal and interact over the phone and email.

Please contact our office to set up access to the portal.

Recent announcements from the Government of Canada
The government made several announcements this week.  We have hand-picked some that our clients might expect us to bring to their attention.

Individuals

  • Tax filing deadline extended to June 1 (do not delay if you expect to receive the GST credit, Canada Child Benefit, or a tax refund)
  • The tax payment deadline is now August 31 for any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 including tax balances due and installments
  • One-time special payment through the GST credit and an increase to the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit
  • Reducing the minimum required withdrawals from RRIFs by 25% in 2020
  • Temporary income support for those sick, quarantined, or forced to stay home to care for children
  • Longer-term income support for workers who are facing unemployment and are not eligible for EI and by implementing the EI Work Sharing Program for workers with reduced hours

Corporations

  • Temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months for corporations eligible for the small business deduction as well as non-profit organizations and charities.  The subsidy is 10% of the remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.  Businesses access the benefit by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration
  • The tax payment deadline is now August 31 for any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 including tax balances due and installments
  • And various steps to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized businesses

Links to additional information

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From all of us at Goodwin Hanson LLP, please stay safe and take care of each other.