NCSGX Global

The Big Four layoffs of 2025 represent a turning point for the global accounting profession. Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC employing hundreds of thousands worldwide have each announced significant workforce reductions in response to shifting client demands, rising cost pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty. These actions are not isolated. They reflect a broader realignment across professional services, where historically low attrition rates and rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence , are reshaping staffing models. Ultimately, the layoffs underscore a critical reality: even the most established firms must adapt quickly to remain competitive and resilient in a rapidly evolving market. Why These Layoffs Matter For decades, the Big Four have been considered some of the most stable employers in the corporate world. Graduates flocked to their doors, and staff turnover often high in consulting naturally balanced out resourcing. But in recent years, that cycle has b...

In June 2024, Canada enacted Bill C-59 , introducing a 3% Digital Services Tax (DST) on large technology companies earning significant revenue from Canadian users. Applied retroactively to January 2022, the levy targeted income from digital advertising, online marketplaces, social media, and the monetization of user data. Set for first payments on June 30, 2025, the tax drew swift opposition from U.S. policymakers and multinational firms. By June 27, escalating tensions led U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend trade talks, prompting Canada to announce the DST’s repeal to restore negotiations. Critics argued the measure disproportionately affected U.S. tech giants, and formal repeal legislation is expected in Fall 2025. In this climate of shifting digital tax policies, cross-border compliance expertise and outsourced tax support are essential for businesses to adapt quickly, remain compliant, and manage evolving reporting requirements. A Short-Lived, High-Stakes Tax Bill C-59 in...

The Canada Revenue Agency ( CRA ) enforces strict requirements for reporting employee income, making the T4 filing deadline of February 28, 2025 a critical compliance milestone for employers. Late submissions can result in penalties ranging from $100 to $7,500 , depending on volume and timing. With over 27 million T4 slips processed annually , accuracy and punctuality are essential. That’s why many businesses rely on professional support to ensure timely filing and avoid last-minute stress. This article outlines what employers need to know, including key deadlines, filing methods, and common questions like: When do T4s come out? Why the T4 Deadline Matters Beyond Compliance Filing T4s isn't just an administrative checkbox. It's a core responsibility that affects your employees’ ability to file their own returns, claim government benefits, and access refunds. For businesses, it’s also a moment of truth where errors, oversights, or missed filings can result in CRA penaltie...

Canada GST/HST Credit 2025: What You Need to Know With inflation and the cost of living on the rise, many Canadians are facing increased financial pressure. To help offset this burden, the federal government continues to provide the GST/HST credit  a tax-free quarterly payment for individuals and families with low to modest incomes. This benefit helps reduce the impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) paid throughout the year and forms part of a broader commitment to support household financial stability. In this update, NCS Canada outlines the 2025 GST/HST payment schedule , eligibility criteria, application process, and what recipients can expect in terms of payment amounts. Whether you’re checking your eligibility or planning ahead, staying informed about this credit can help you manage your finances more effectively. A Simple Concept With a Significant Impact The GST/HST credit isn’t new, but its importance has grown significantly in li...

As technology continues to reshape our lives, the definition of personal assets has expanded well beyond physical property, bank accounts, and traditional investments. In today’s digital age, an individual’s estate often includes a wide range of digital assets email accounts, cloud storage, social media profiles, online banking credentials, cryptocurrency holdings, and even loyalty rewards programs. These assets now form a significant part of one's modern legacy. However, despite their growing value, digital assets are frequently excluded from conventional estate planning. This oversight can result in legal complications, emotional hardship for beneficiaries, and, in some cases, permanent financial loss. As of 2025, comprehensive estate planning must account for the digital dimension of an individual’s wealth. This is particularly relevant in jurisdictions like Canada, where estate and inheritance tax regulations increasingly intersect with digital holdings. This article explor...

As the retirement wave continues across Canada, many couples face a common challenge: how to preserve as much of their nest egg as possible after taxes. That’s where Pension Income Splitting in Canada has become a strategic game-changer in 2025. This approach allows retired couples to share up to 50% of eligible pension income with their spouse or partner. It’s not just about numbers it’s about creating flexibility, protecting OAS benefits, and optimising how much of your income stays with you. And yet, too many people miss out. Let’s explore why this tool deserves a seat at your retirement planning table and how it integrates with broader wealth strategies. What is Pension Income Splitting? At its core, pension income splitting is a tax strategy where the higher-income spouse reallocates up to 50% of their eligible pension income to the lower-income spouse at tax time. This reduces the couple’s total taxable income and, in many cases, helps both partners stay in lower tax bra...

The accounting profession in Canada is in the midst of its most transformative period in decades. Emerging technologies once seen as futuristic like AI, automation, and blockchain are no longer optional add-ons. They're reshaping how accounting firms operate, how professionals deliver value, and how clients measure success. The real question isn’t if your firm will adopt them it’s how fast you can adapt. At NCS Canada , we’ve identified the key trends redefining the profession. Whether you’re a partner at a mid-size firm, a tech-savvy CPA, or a financial leader steering strategy, these insights will help you prepare for what’s next.  1. AI Is Already Here And It’s Growing Fast Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the accounting profession in Canada. A KPMG survey shows over 82% of Canadian organizations are adopting or piloting AI in finance well above the global average of 71%. In tax operations, 63% are leveraging AI, nearly double the global rate of 34%. Accordin...

Once a popular tactic among high-income earners and entrepreneurs, income splitting in Canada has undergone significant reform. With the expanded Tax on Split Income (TOSI ) regime now in effect, many long-standing strategies have been curtailed but not all. For business owners and families navigating today’s complex tax landscape, income splitting is still a viable tool when guided by experienced tax professionals . The key lies in understanding what still works, who qualifies, and how to implement strategies in full compliance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) expectations. Let’s break down what’s changed and how you can still optimise your tax planning in 2025. Income Splitting: The Basics Income splitting is a legal tax planning strategy that shifts income from a high-income individual to a lower-income family member to reduce the overall household tax burden . Canada’s progressive tax system means that spreading income across lower brackets can significantly minimise taxes...

Starting, restructuring, or shutting down a business often brings unseen financial risks—but some of those “sunk costs” might actually be tax deductible. When you're launching a new venture or winding one down, you’ll likely incur capital expenses that fall outside the usual tax deduction rules. These can include legal advice before you start trading, feasibility studies, branding costs, or consulting services for a business that never gets off the ground. While many of these costs are simply written off as part of doing business, Australian tax law offers a solution: Section 40-880 of the Income Tax Assessment Act , which allows you to claim these hidden or “blackhole” expenditures over five years. This little-known deduction is particularly relevant now, as business formation activity across Australia continues to grow. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics , new business registrations increased by 7% in the 2023–24 financial year  which means more entrepreneurs tha...

Many Canadians focus their tax-saving efforts on individual deductions and credits, often overlooking family-based strategies that could deliver substantial long-term benefits. One such underutilized approach is the spousal loan strategy  a compliant and effective income-splitting method that can reduce a household's overall tax burden when properly structured. Understanding Spousal Loans A spousal loan involves a higher-income spouse lending funds to their lower-income partner or a family trust established for the benefit of minor children at the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) prescribed interest rate . The objective is for the lower-income individual to invest the funds and report the resulting income (such as dividends, interest, or capital gains) on their personal tax return, where it is taxed at a lower marginal rate. This strategy offers a legal workaround to the CRA’s attribution rules , which typically prevent high-income earners from simply gifting funds to family memb...