Government launches applications for the expanded Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit

On December 30, the CRA launched the application site for the expanded Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB), which includes its list of eligible lockdown regions. Designated lockdown regions currently include British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut. Affected Canadian workers in newly designated lockdown regions can apply for the benefit now. Payments will be retroactive to December 19, 2021.

CRA extends relief for cross-border workers to 2021 taxation year

On December 30, the CRA sent a communication to stakeholders to announce that the administrative relief that was provided to Canadian-resident cross-border workers in respect of their 2020 income tax obligations will now also apply to the 2021 tax year. The details are in Section VII of the CRA’s “International income tax issues” summary.

Error in wage and hiring support spreadsheet

On December 29, the CRA sent a communication to stakeholders to notify them that there is an error in a previous version of the wage and hiring support spreadsheet which may have shown claimants that they were not eligible for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021) when in fact they were. For more information, please see the CRA’s website.

2022 automobile deduction limits and expense benefit rates for businesses

The federal government recently announced that the automobile income tax deduction limits and expense benefit rates will be increased for 2022. For further details, see Finance Canada’s news release.