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Updated December 13, 2020
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
The original program provided $40,000 of emergency funding to assist business impacted by COVID-19. 25% of this loan is forgivable if repaid before December 31, 2022. If your financial institution provided this loan via a line of credit, please ensure that $40,000 has been deposited into your business bank account before December 31, 2020 as the forgivable amount is based on the amount of the line of credit actually used.
This program has now been expanded to provide an additional $20,000 (ie. up to $60,000), with an additional $10,000 being forgivable if repaid before December 31, 2022.
The conditions to qualify for the loan are as follows:
- the business is facing ongoing financial hardship (including, for example, a continued decline in revenue or cash reserves, or an increase in operating costs) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- it intends to continue to operate its business or to resume operations;
- in response to the COVID-19 pandemic it has made all reasonable efforts to reduce its costs and to otherwise adapt its business to improve its viability; and
- the loan will be used to pay Eligible Non-Deferrable Expenses and may not be used to repay any existing indebtedness, pay dividends, or increase management or related party compensation.
You apply for this loan via your financial institution.
Links:
Government of Canada: https://ceba-cuec.ca/
CFIB: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/canada-emergency-business-account-ceba#faq
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
The government has now released details on its new rent assistance program. The initial program runs from September 27, 2020 to December 19, 2020 (3 periods of 28 days each).
You are eligible if:
1) You rent or own a commercial property, and
2) You have seen a drop in revenue
The subsidy is based on the % revenue decline and ranges from 1% to 65% of eligible expenses. There is an additional subsidy of up to 25% if your business is closed as a result of a public health order.
Payments will be made directly to renters and property owners. Application for the subsidy is made via CRA’s My Business Account (see link under “Other Services”). We can also apply for the subsidy on your behalf.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html
Examples:
- Your monthly rent is $3,000 and your October 2020 revenue is 50% lower than last year.
- The subsidy for the first 4 week period would be $1,100.
- Your monthly rent is $3,000 and your October 2020 revenue is 20% lower than last year.
- The subsidy for the first 4 week period would be $440.
- Your monthly rent is $3,000 and your October 2020 revenue is 50% lower than last year. You were closed for 14 days due a public health order.
- The subsidy for the first 4 week period would be $1,450.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
This program has been extended to June 2021 but no additional details have been provided. The original program ran from March to August 2020 and provided a subsidy equal to 75% of wages paid if revenue was lower by 30% or more. The second program runs from September to December 2020 and provides a subsidy of 0.8 multiplied by the percentage revenue drop. For example, if revenue declined 20%, the subsidy would be 16% (0.8 x 20% decline). A top-up subsidy is available if revenue has declined more than 50%.
Program changes:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.html
Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-frequently-asked-questions.html
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
This program ended in September 2020. It provided for 75% rent relief if revenue was down at least 70%. The application was made by the commercial landlord.
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business
10% Temporary Wage Subsidy
This program ended in June 2020. It provided for a wage subsidy for the period March 18th to June 19th equal to 10% of the gross payroll.
The maximum for the entire period was $1,375 times the number of employees or $25,000, whichever was less.
Any amounts received under this subsidy reduced the claim. This subsidy was claimed by reducing payroll source deduction payments to CRA.
Additional Information:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html
How to Register for CRA’s My Business Account
If you sign-in via a partner, use your personal, not business, bank card.
Salary vs Dividends
Corporate Tax (January 2019)
CRA Audits
- Business bank statements
- Personal bank statements
- Credit card statements and supporting receipts
- Supporting documents for expenses (supplier invoices / emails)
- Investment statements
- Payroll registers
Medical Expenses
You may be able to reduce your medical costs by setting up a medical benefits plan. If you meet the conditions below, your company can reimburse you for 100% of your medical expenses (including drugs, dental, glasses, therapy). This process turns a personal medical expense into a company expense. You pay the expense and submit a claim online. The funds are withdrawn from the company and deposited into your personal bank account.
Conditions:
- You own a corporation
- You receive a salary from your corporation
- Your family medical expenses are usually over $1,000 per year
- You or your spouse do not belong to a group plan
- You have no employees (except family members)
Olympia Benefits Inc has set up a plan that is popular with small business owners.
Here is a link to additional information: http://www.olympiabenefits.com/health-and-dental-plans-for-small-business
We recommend the Olympia HSA “Plus” plan.