COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update

 

Federal

 

Expanding Access to the Local Lockdown Program (December 22, 2021)

The Department of Finance announced that the government intends to expand the Local Lockdown Program eligibility to access the wage and rent subsidies to more organizations affected by the current situation.

The Local Lockdown Program would be expanded such that an organization could also qualify if:

  • One or more of its locations is subject to a public health order that has the effect of reducing the entity’s capacity at the location by 50 percent or more, and
  • Activities restricted by the public health order accounted for at least 50 percent of the entity’s total qualifying revenues during the prior reference period.

Also, the government plans to temporarily lower the minimum current-month revenue loss threshold from 40 percent to 25 percent.

These temporary changes would apply for qualifying periods from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022 (Periods 24 and 25). The government plans to enact them by passing regulations.

Lockdown Benefit To Be Expanded (December 22, 2021)

The Department of Finance announced that the government will expand the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 percent or more. The government will implement this expansion by passing regulations. As a result, eligible workers affected by these restrictions which have lost 50 percent or more of their income will be eligible for a $300 weekly benefit.

The CRA implemented these changes as of December 30, so individuals in designated regions affected by a lockdown or capacity restrictions can now apply for the benefit. A current list of eligible regions can be accessed at https:// www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits/designated-lockdown-regions.html.
 

Provincial

 

Ontario

 

New Supports for Businesses (December 22, 2021)

The Ontario government is introducing new supports for many businesses most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. These supports include a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

Through the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, eligible businesses will receive rebate payments equivalent to 50 percent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to the current capacity limits. This will support businesses expected to be most impacted financially by the requirement to reduce capacity to 50 percent. Examples of businesses eligible for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program include restaurants, smaller retail stores, and gyms. A complete list of eligible business types will be made available through a program guide in mid-January 2022.

Online applications for this program will open in mid-January 2022, with payments to eligible businesses provided retroactively to December 19, 2021. Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

The province is also providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by giving a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes, supporting businesses in the immediate term while capacity restrictions are in place providing flexibility for long-term planning. The six-month period will begin January 1, 2022, and end July 1, 2022.

With this help, approximately 80,000 businesses will have the option to delay their payments for the following provincially administered taxes, helping them free up cash flow during these challenging times:

  •  Employer Health Tax
  •  Beer, Wine & Spirits Taxes
  •  Tobacco Tax
  •  Insurance Premium Tax
  •  Fuel Tax
  •  International Fuel Tax Agreement
  •  Gas Tax
  •  Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts & Benefit Plans
  •  Mining Tax
  •  Race Tracks Tax

Don’t hesitate to contact RGB Accounting by phone at (416) 932-1915 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’ll be pleased to assist you.

Source: ADP Canada/Wolters Kluwer Canada

Newsletters

Events & Sponsorship

Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference @ Mississauga

May 08, 2019 Our B.E.S.T. (Business Entrepreneurs Services Team) Group has participated in this event for first time. Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference and Trade Show is the largest Entrepreneurs event in Canada. The event which targets business owners, partners or...

Hispanic Fiesta 2018

September 04, 2018 RGB Accounting will participate in this event for a second year in a row. Hispanic Fiesta will be held at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto during the Labour Day Weekend, August 31st, Sept. 1, 2, & 3, 2018. Hispanic Fiesta is a four-day celebration...

Secure Your Future Seminar 2018

June 20, 2018 This event gathered business owners running a small or medium-sized business, self-employed and incorporated businesses willing to learn tax saving strategies to help them utilize their company assets to secure their retirement. We are proud of having...

2nd Latino Business Expo Show

May 19, 2018 The 2nd Latino Business Expo Show held on May 19th at Daniels Spectrum gathered a wide range of entrepreneurs and business owners avid to learn how to take their businesses to the next level. RGB Accounting participated as vendor and speaker at this...

Hispanic Fiesta 2017

September 04, 2017 Hispanic Fiesta, a celebration of Spanish and Latin-American: Arts, Food, Music and Entertainment, is a four-day celebration filled with the splendid sounds, tempting treats and colorful culture featuring 300 local, national and International...

Articles & Publications

Shareholder Owners Salaries vs Dividends

Shareholder Owners Salaries vs Dividends. Which Method is Better for You?   When is it better to pay yourself a salary vs. dividends as the owner/manager of a corporation?  Each method has pros and cons, and as a business owner, you should be aware of your options...

Understanding the Shareholder Loan

Understanding the Shareholder Loan. How to Use it to your Advantage and Stay Compliant with CRA If you are the owner-manager of a corporation, understanding the concept of the shareholder loan is essential to running your business. Below I will explain what a...

GST/HST for digital economy businesses

GST/HST for digital economy businesses Overview New rules for digital economy businesses are in effect as of July 1, 2021. As of July 1, 2021, digital economy businesses, including digital platform operators, may have potential goods and services tax/harmonized sales...