Release Notes - CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 2024 v.1.0 (2024.40.38.01)
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About CCH iFirm Taxprep
Welcome to CCH iFirm Taxprep, the first cloud-based professional tax software in Canada.
CCH iFirm Taxprep runs in your Web browser, with nothing to install on your desktop. Therefore, all updates will be automatically deployed during tax season.
Please note that CCH iFirm Taxprep is only supported on the Google Chrome and the Microsoft Edge (based on Chromium) Web browsers.
CCH iFirm Taxprep is bilingual and provides you with:
- Most robust tax calculations of the industry, imported from the Taxprep software programs;
- Comprehensive diagnostics with audit trail of user reviewed diagnostics;
- Ability to navigate through cells with data entered in the year;
- Ability to add review marks and comments;
- Intuitive user interface;
- and many more other features.
If you want to learn about the new non-tax-related features delivered with this new CCH iFirm Taxprep version, consult the Technical Release Notes.
About
Warnings
Version 2024 1.0
Due to the late arrival of several CRA and Revenu Québec forms, the forms contained in this version have not been approved by the tax authorities. Therefore, do not submit any tax returns that have been prepared with this version to the CRA and Revenu Québec. The electronic transmission of the returns is not available in this version.
Note that, as in previous years, you can still start preparing your tax returns with version 1.0. However, upon printing, the forms will have the Do Not Submit watermark.
Version 2024 2.0
All the electronic services will be available in the next version of CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 (2024 2.0), which is scheduled to be released in mid-February.
Version 2024 2.0 will be approved by tax authorities and will allow you to file personal income tax returns.
Import or convert preparer profiles, custom letters, custom print formats and custom diagnostics
When a new taxation year is added to the application, remember that the prior period Preparer Profile, custom letters, custom print formats and custom diagnostics must be imported or converted.
For more information, please consult the following FAQ: https://support.cch.com/canada/solution/000118906/FAQ-Why-is-my-current-Preparer-Profile-empty-since-the-latest-deployment-of-CCH-iFirm-Tax?language=en
Auto-fill T1 return – 2024 Tax Season
Important dates
Federal
February 10, 2025 – Opening of the Auto-fill T1 return service. The CRA tax data can be downloaded from the RETRIEVE tab.
Tax Data Download from Revenu Québec – 2024 Tax Season
Important dates
Québec
February 24, 2025 – Opening of the Tax Data Download service.
The Revenu Québec tax data can be downloaded from the RETRIEVE tab.
Electronic services prior years’ support
Federal
In addition to the current tax year 2024, the CRA also supports prior-year electronic services as indicated below until January 2026:
|
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
|
T1 EFILE (original returns) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
T1 ReFILE (amended returns) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | |||||
|
T1135 |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Auto-fill my return (slips only) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Express notice of assessment (Express NOA) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* You will have to use the CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 program for the year in question and update your EFILE password to the current year.
Québec
In addition to the current tax year 2024, Revenu Québec also supports prior-year electronic services as indicated below until January 2026:
|
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
|
TP1 Netfile Québec (original returns) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
TP1 Netfile Québec (amended returns) |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Tax data download |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* You will have to use the CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 program for the year in question and update your EFILE password to the current year.
Modifications Made to Version 1.0
Forms, Schedules, and Workcharts Added to the Program
Manitoba
T1294, Manitoba Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit
This credit previously had to be manually calculated and entered directly in Form MB479. The CRA has added Form T1294 to calculate the credit.
Updated Forms
Preparer Profiles
CLIENT LETTER tab
The options Include the paragraph indicating that the taxpayer is already registered for Revenu Québec online correspondence only and Include the paragraph indicating that the taxpayer is already registered for Revenu Québec's text message or e-mail notifications have been added to point 5 of the Client letter information section of the Client letter tab in the preparer profile. When these options are selected, the relevant paragraphs are displayed in the client letter.
Client letters
Since January 1, 2024, payments of more than $10,000 to the Receiver General for Canada must be made electronically, either through a financial institution's online services, the CRA's My Payment service or through a pre-authorized debit agreement set up on the CRA's My Business Account site.
The client letters have been modified.
Client Letter, Engagement Letter
The display of the text referring to the customized note on the return has been modified. From now on, this text will only be displayed if a customized note can be found on the last page of the T1 return.
Federal
Capital gains inclusion rate modifications
The introduction of the modifications to the capital gains inclusion rate has begun in this version of CCH iFirm Taxprep T1. However, many calculations remain incomplete and are still being implemented; as a result, some forms cannot be accessed. The updates to the forms and calculations will be completed in the next version of the program, which is scheduled for February 2025. The relevant release notes will include all explanations relating to this change.
CPP2/QPP2 – Second additional CPP and QPP contributions
In 2024, the CRA launched the CPP enhancement, commonly referred to as CPP2.
For Québec residents, similar contributions have also been implemented for taxpayers contributing to the QPP (QPP2).
CPP2 and QPP2 contributions are made by anyone who earns wages above the first earnings ceiling ($68,500). The contributions are calculated as a percentage of wages above the first earnings ceiling up to the amount of the second earnings ceiling ($73,200).
The maximum income subject to second additional contributions for 2024 is $4,700.
-
Employees contribute 4% of the amount they earn between the first earnings ceiling and the second earnings ceiling, up to a maximum contribution of $188.
-
Self-employed individuals contribute 8% of the amount they earn between the first earnings ceiling and the second earnings ceiling, up to a maximum contribution of $376.
CPP2 and QPP2 contributions are shown respectively in boxes 16A and 17A of the T4 slip. The contributions are calculated in Schedule 8, Schedule 8 for Québec residents and Form RC381.
The amount of CPP2 and QPP2 contributions on employment income qualifies for a deduction that can be claimed on line 21500 of the T1 income tax return. Likewise, the amount of the contributions payable on self-employment can be claimed on line 22200 of the T1 return.
ID, Identification and Other Client Information
In the Registration for online correspondence from Revenu Québec section, the option Already registered has been added to indicate the taxpayer’s consent to receive e-mail notices or e-mail or text message notifications.
When an e-mail address is added to the client file and the Already registered option is selected for one of these possibilities, the user will need to confirm if the e-mail address in Revenu Québec’s files should be replaced.
The client letters have been updated to reflect these additions.
T183, Information Return for Electronic Filing of an Individual’s Income Tax and Benefit Return
The time format of the electronic signature to be entered in the form has changed from HH:MM:SS to HHMMSS. As a result, the hours, the minutes and the seconds must no longer be separated by colons. The validations in the program have been adjusted accordingly.
Schedule 15, FHSA Contributions, Transfers and Activities
In order to consider some of the amounts calculated in the previous year in the calculation of Schedule 15 for the current year and to reflect the technical changes from Bill C-59, the layout of Schedule 15 has been significantly modified through the addition of lines.
Furthermore, the following changes have been made to the program:
-
The custom question Did the taxpayer open one or more FHSAs in 2024 and did not make any contributions, transfers or withdrawals? has been replaced by Did the taxpayer open a first FHSA or become a successor holder in 2024 or in a previous year? (If a FHSA has been opened but no contributions or transfers were made, answer Yes.)
-
The line Indicate the year the first FHSA was opened, if applicable. If the taxpayer became a successor holder and had previously opened a FHSA, indicate the year the account was opened (otherwise, indicate the year the taxpayer became a successor holder) has also been added.
T1028, RRSP/PRPP/FHSA Information or Notice of Assessment
In order to properly calculate Schedule 15, information from the previous year is required. That information can be found on the notice of assessment from the previous year or on Form T1028 from the current year.
As a result, section FHSA – Information to be included on 2024 Schedule 15 has been added to Form T1028 to allow the roll forward and the entry of the relevant information.
T2205, Amounts from a Spousal or Common-law Partner RRSP, RRIF or SPP to Include in Income
A line was added to the form to enter the amounts of transfers from an RRSP to a FHSA that are considered to be taxable withdrawals. This is the case when, for example, the annuitant of a spousal or common-law partner RRSP makes a transfer to a FHSA and the spouse or common-law partner contributed to a spousal or common-law partner RRSP during the year or the two preceding years.
HBP, Home Buyers’ Plan Withdrawal
For the 2024 and subsequent years, the withdrawal limit under the Home Buyers’ Plan has increased to $60,000. This limit applies only to withdrawals made after April 16, 2024. For withdrawals made prior to this date, the maximum amount that can be withdrawn is $35,000.
A diagnostic has been added to the program and is displayed when the withdrawal amount is greater than $60,000.
For participants making a first withdrawal between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, the start of the 15-year repayment period is deferred by three years. Thus, the repayments must begin in the fifth year following the year of the first withdrawal.
Doubling the volunteer firefighters and the search and rescue volunteers tax credits
Effective for the 2024 and subsequent taxation years, the federal volunteer firefighter's and the search and rescue volunteer's tax credits amount is increasing from $3,000 to $6,000.
T2091, Designation of a Property as a Principal Residence by an Individual (Other than a Personal Trust)
A cell has been added at the top of the form to indicate the portion of the property used as a principal residence. Calculations have been adjusted to take into account the percentage entered. The default value is 100%. The value is also carried over to Form TP-274 for customers with a tax residency in Québec.
Québec
QPP – New rules applicable to Québec residents contributing to the QPP
Possibility to stop making QPP contributions
Since January 1, 2024, it is possible for Québec residents to stop contributing to the QPP when the following conditions are met:
-
The resident is aged 65 or over.
-
The resident is receiving a retirement pension under the Québec Pension Plan (QPP) or the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
With respect to employment income, Form RR-50, Election to stop contributing to the Québec pension plan, or revocation of an election, must be completed and given to the taxpayer’s employer. This form is available in Taxprep Forms.
With respect to self-employment income, the taxpayer must decide the month in which the QPP contributions should end and enter that month in the Québec TP1 return.
The new Schedule U must be completed to calculate the allowable deduction for QPP contributions reported on line 248 of the TP1 return or to calculate QPP contributions payable on business income (line 445 of the TP1 return).
Taxpayers aged 72 and over
Starting in 2024, a taxpayer who is 72 years of age on December 31 of the previous year is no longer required to pay QPP on his or her income.
Wages paid and earnings received from January 1 onwards in the year in which a worker reaches the age of 73 will no longer be subject to QPP contributions.
TP-935.3, Repayment of RRSP Funds Withdrawn Under the Home Buyers’ Plan of the Lifelong Learning Plan
The Government of Québec has harmonized with the measures from the federal government related to the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP). The withdrawal limit from an RRSP is increased to $60,000 for withdrawals made after April 16, 2024. Furthermore, for withdrawals made during the period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2025, repayment will only begin in the fifth year following the year in which the first withdrawal was made.
Alberta
AB428, Alberta Tax and Credits
The investor tax credit has been removed from the form. Indeed, this credit was abolished in 2019, and the last year eligible for carryover was 2023.
British Columbia
General T1, Income Tax and Benefit Return
The section Consent to share contact information – Organ and tissue donor registry has been added to the form.
The section Residency information for tax administration agreements has been removed from the form.
Manitoba
MB479, Manitoba Credits
Effective for 2024 and subsequent taxation years, the fertility treatment tax credit amount is increasing from $8,000 to $16,000.
New Brunswick
NB428, New Brunswick Tax and Credits
Two new non-refundable tax credits are available for eligible volunteers as of January 1, 2024:
-
the Volunteer firefighters’ amount
-
the Search and rescue volunteers’ amount
The conditions of the tax credits on line 58315, Volunteer firefighters’ amount, and line 58316, Search and rescue volunteers’ amount, are equivalent to those of the federal credits. However, the amount of the provincial credit is $5,000.
Prince Edward Island
PE428, Prince Edward Island Tax and Credits
The current three personal income tax brackets and surtax have been replaced by a five-bracket system for the 2024 tax year, with lower tax rates for each of the first three brackets. The brackets are divided as follows:
-
9.65% on taxable income of $32,656 or less;
-
13.63% on the portion of taxable income exceeding $32,656, but not exceeding $64,313;
-
16.65% on the portion of taxable income exceeding $64,313, but not exceeding $105,000;
-
18% on the portion of taxable income exceeding $105,000, but not exceeding $140,000;
-
18.75% on taxable income exceeding $140,000.
The Prince Edward Island non-refundable tax credit rate has decreased to 9.65%.
Forms Removed
Federal
-
AMT 2024, Estimated alternative minimum tax for the 2024 taxation year
Québec
-
TP-517.5.5, Designating a Deemed Capital Gain Further to the Transfer of a Family Business
-
QAMT 2024, Estimated alternative minimum tax for the 2024 taxation year
Corrected Calculations
The following problems have been corrected in version 2024 1.0:
Federal
Electronic Filing
Federal
Due to its early release date, this version does not allow for electronic filing. The forms related to EFILE are under review in this version.
Information about EFILE
Federal
Important dates
- February 10, 2025 Opening of the system for electronic transmission of authorization requests.
- February 24, 2025 Opening of the EFILE On-Line transmission system.
- January 30, 2026 The CRA will stop accepting electronically filed T1 returns.
Registration and Renewal On-line
To renew your EFILE privileges for this year’s tax season, you must follow the instructions provided on the "Renewal" page on the CRA Web site at http://www.efile.cra.gc.ca/l-rnwl-eng.html.
To register as a new electronic filer, you must register online by completing the EFILE Registration On-Line form on the CRA Web site at http://www.efile.cra.gc.ca/l-rgstr-eng.html.
You will find more information concerning renewals and new applications at http://www.efile.cra.gc.ca/.
In order to be able to electronically file Form AUTHORIZATION, you must meet the following two criteria:
- Have a valid EFILE number and password; and
- Be a registered representative (online access).
A registered representative is a person who is registered with the CRA’s Represent a Client service. To register with the service, go to http://www.cra.gc.ca/representatives
Québec
Important dates
- February 24, 2025 – Opening of the NetFile Québec system.
- February 24, 2025 – Opening of the Refund Info-line system.
- January 30, 2026 – The NetFile Québec system will shut down.
NetFile Québec
- Tax preparers must register for “My Account for professional representatives” (available in French only), a secure space on RQ’s Web site, if they have not already done so in the past.
Note that renewal is automatic for persons who registered for this space in the past. - Consult the page “À qui s'adresse Mon dossier” (available in French only) to see which profile applies to you and what actions you can perform online on behalf of a business or an individual.
Where to Find Help
This version provides the following help resources:
- List of available keyboard shortcuts;
- eHub training videos.
To access the help resources, click the following icon in the top right portion of the screen:
Note that the CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 e-Bulletin notifies you each time an updated or new form is made available in a program update.