Changes to the Income Tax Act that may affect your 2016 personal tax return

As the Income Tax Act is ever evolving here are the top five changes you should be aware of:

  1. Sale of Principle Residencenew – Individuals who have sold their home on or after January 1, 2016 and claim the principle residence exemption because it was their primary residence for all of the years the home was owned now need to report this transaction on schedule 3. For more information on this new reporting requirement please visit CRA’s website on this topic.
  1. Teachers and Early Childhood Educator School Supply Tax Credit – new –This new tax credit allows teachers and early childhood educators to claim a 15% tax credit on up to $1,000 of eligible teaching supplies. For more information on this new reporting requirement please visit CRA’s website on this topic.
  1. Back-to-School Amount – new – Residents of British Columbia may claim a $250 tax credit for each child, who is at least 4 years of age and under 17 years of age, attending school. No receipts are required to claim this tax credit.
  1. Children Fitness and Art Tax Credit – change – The maximum amounts that can be claimed for the Children’s Fitness and Art Tax Credit has been reduced to $500 and $250 respectively.
  1. Family Tax Cut Credit – eliminated – This non-refundable tax credit that was available in the 2014 and 2015 taxation years has now been eliminated.