What to know about the proposed capital-gains changes, from estates to pre-empting your tax bill

Uncertainty about when and how the federal government’s proposed tax increases on capital gains will take effect was cleared up on Friday when Ottawa announced it was delaying the start of the multibillion-dollar plan until Jan. 1, 2026.The proposed increase to the proportion of capital gains – the profit realized when someone sells an asset like a property or a stock for a higher price than what they originally acquired it for – that are taxed was first unveiled in the April, 2024, federal budget and detailed in June. Currently, only half of capital gains is included in computing a taxpayer’s income. Ottawa wants to raise that proportion to two-thirds. For individuals, however, the higher rate would apply only to annual profits above $250,000, with gains up to that threshold still subject to the one-half rate. The sale of a home designated as a principal residence would remain exempt from capital-gains taxes.