Dates and location
Pricing
Hours
Dates and location
Pricing
Hours
Description
Participants will focus on the everyday Canadian income tax issues practitioners encounter with owner‑managed clients, translating rules into practical decisions on income characterization, remuneration, shareholder benefits/loans, mixed‑purpose expenses, and topical developments. Participants will apply structured approaches and current guidance to plan, document, and communicate recommendations with confidence.
Topics include:
- Income characterization: employee vs. contractor; small business deduction and related limitations; active vs. investment income; management fees between corporations.
- Remuneration planning: salary vs. dividends; integration; reasonableness of salaries; bonuses payable; family income splitting and TOSI touchpoints.
- Shareholder benefits and loans: corporate payment of personal expenses, personal use of corporate assets, debit balances, and key exceptions.
- Mixed‑purpose expenses and assets: meals/entertainment, club dues, fringe benefits (administrative policies), automobiles and allowances, parking.
- Timely and topical items: notable changes, reference figures, and ethics in tax practice.
NOTE: This course description has been revised and reflects updates for 2026. If you have any questions, please contact pdevents@cpaontario.ca.
Schedule
- October 20, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- October 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Distinguish common income characterization issues (e.g., employee vs. contractor, ABI/SBD, personal services business, investment income) and explain their implications.
- Develop remuneration strategies (salary vs. dividends, bonuses) that reflect integration principles and TOSI constraints.
- Identify and address shareholder benefit and loan pitfalls, and document appropriate resolutions.
- Apply best practices for expenses and assets with both personal and business elements (e.g., meals, autos, taxable benefits).
- Incorporate timely tax developments and ethical considerations into everyday practice.
Who Will Benefit
- Practitioners who routinely handle day‑to‑day tax matters for owner‑managed businesses.
- CPAs in public practice or industry seeking practical updates and ready‑to‑apply approaches to common tax issues.
Prerequisite(s)
- General corporate and personal income tax knowledge.
- Experience working with small and mid‑sized owner‑managed businesses (recommended).
How to Access the Course
This course is delivered as a live webinar. To receive verifiable CPD hours, you must attend the session live. We recommend joining at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. For the best interactive experience, please use a computer equipped with a camera and microphone.
A reminder email with the Zoom link and course details will be sent two business days before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your spam or junk folder.
The same information, including any available materials, will also be posted in advance on our Blackboard LMS.
Registration, cancellation, withdrawal and all other CPA Ontario PD policies can be found here.
Speaker(s)
Michelle Causton, FCPA, FCGA, MBA is a professional speaker, educator and trainer. Her goal is to help individuals achieve personal success by strengthening both technical and communication skills. Michelle uses a practical approach gained from many years of experience in public practice and teaching at the post-secondary level. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS).