Capital gains changes create winners and losers among SMEs; important progress on $2.5 billion in carbon tax rebates for small firms

OTTAWA, ON, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - The 2024 budget changes on capital gains will create many winners and losers among Canada's entrepreneurs, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB notes important budget progress in unlocking $2.5 billion in carbon tax rebates for SMEs.

"The big surprise for small business is a series of changes to capital gains taxation," said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. "Our early assessment is that most small business owners will come out ahead or be unaffected by today's changes as a result of a boost in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption from $1 to $1.25 million and a new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive for some sectors which will lower the capital gains inclusion rate to 33.3% on the next $2 million when fully phased in."

But the capital gains inclusion rate increase to 66.7% will create many net losers, including owners of medium-sized businesses. In addition, owners of professional corporations (such as doctors), financial, insurance, food and accommodation, arts, recreation, entertainment and personal care services firms will be excluded from accessing the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive and will be hit with more taxes on capital gains for sales of small business shares above $2.25 million.

"What worries me the most about the capital gains changes is the potential to demotivate Canadians from getting into business in the first place or working hard to grow a small business to a medium-sized business," Kelly said. "CFIB will be pushing back against any increase in the capital gains inclusion rate for all small- and medium-sized business owners. It seems bizarre that government would single out some sectors of Canada's SME community for higher taxes, including many of those hardest hit by pandemic restrictions like restaurants and arts and recreation firms."

"Carbon tax rebates owed to small businesses have been a long time coming, but we're glad to see the government making progress on it. Most importantly, it is good to see government broaden its eligibility rules to include most small and medium-sized firms," Kelly said.

Government has said it will "urgently" return over $2.5 billion owed to an estimated 600,000 businesses with fewer than 500 employees. CFIB understands all Canadian Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) that issue T4s in the eight provinces will receive a rebate cheque based on their number of employees.

"Many details of the size, scope and timing of carbon tax rebates for SMEs remains unclear," Kelly added.  CFIB will continue to call on government to ensure the $2.5 billion is returned in 2024 with meaningful rebates for the smallest businesses and to raise the share of future SME rebates back to 9% of carbon tax revenue or more.

"It is important to note that 82% of small firms now want the consumer carbon tax regime scrapped altogether," Kelly said.

The government has not introduced a plan to bring the budget back to balance and continues to project huge deficits for the foreseeable future.

• CFIB is encouraged to see Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance to allow businesses to immediately write off the full cost of innovation and productivity enhancing assets, such as computers and data infrastructure, starting today to January 1, 2027.
• The budget makes important progress on Employee Ownerships Trusts, allowing business owners to access a special capital gains exemption of up to $10 million when selling a business to their employees.

CFIB will continue to advocate on issues that matter most to small businesses across the country.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business