tax

Estate Freeze

September 1, 2021Blog, Estate Planning, tax

No business owner likes to think about handing over their business they’ve built from the ground up. But the fact of the matter is, you will have to do it eventually. Even more concerning, what if you were to become ill or incapacitated? Making a decision of this magnitude during trying times would not be ideal.

For the business owner, an estate freeze can be an integral part of your estate planning strategy. The purpose of an estate freeze is to lock-in (freeze) the value of the business, freeing the successor from the tax liability that may arise should the business’ value increase.

Federal Budget 2021 Highlights

April 22, 20212021, Blog, Coronavirus, Coronavirus - Associates, Coronavirus - Practice Owners, Coronavirus - Students, corporate, Debt, Family, financial advice, Financial Planning, incorporated professionals, individuals, personal finances, Professional Corporations, tax

On April 19, 2021, the Federal Government released their 2021 budget. Our article contains highlights of the various financial measures in this budget, divided into three different sections:

• Business Highlights, including an extension to COVID-19 Emergency Business Supports, new programs to support job creation, and a change in interest deductibility limits.

• Individual Highlights, including details on the tax treatment and repayment of personal COVID-19 benefits (such as CERB), eligibility changes to the Disability Tax Credit, an increase in OAS for those 75 and up, and support for job skills retraining.

• Additional Highlights, including a proposed federal minimum wage of $15, changes to the GST New Housing Rebate conditions, and new or increased taxes in areas such as luxury goods, tobacco, and Canadian housing owned by non-resident foreign owners.

What’s new for the 2021 tax-filing season?

April 2, 20212021, Blog, tax

Tax season is upon us once again. But since 2020 was a year like no other, the 2021 tax-filing season will also be different. Due to all the changes in both where and how Canadians worked, the Canadian government has introduced some new tax credits and deductions to keep pace with these changes. Our article covers all of the following:
• How to claim home office expenses
• The new Canada Training Credit
• Pandemic emergency funds
• New digital news subscription tax credit

2021 Financial Calendar

January 4, 20212021, Blog, personal finances, RDSP, Registered Education Savings Plan, Retirement, RRSP, tax, Tax Free Savings Account

We’ve put together a financial calendar for 2021. It contains all the dates you need to know to make the most of your government benefits and investment options. Whether you want to bookmark this or print it out and post it somewhere prominent, you’ll have everything you need to know in one place!

Government of Canada to allow up to $400 for home office expenses

December 29, 20202020, Accountants, Blog, Business Owners, tax

For the 2020 tax year, the Government of Canada introduced a temporary flat rate method to allow Canadians working from home this year due to Covid-19 to claim expenses of up to $400.

Highlights of the 2020 Federal Fall Economic Statement | Additional $20,000 CEBA loan available now

December 7, 2020Blog, Coronavirus, Coronavirus - Associates, Coronavirus - Practice Owners, corporate, disability, Financial Planning, RDSP, tax

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland recently provided the government’s fall economic update. It included information on the government’s strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and its plan to help shape the recovery. We’ve summarized the highlights for you:

• Corporate Tax Changes, including extensions to subsidy programs.

• Personal Tax Changes, including additional Canada Child Benefit Plan payments and a new “Work from home” tax credit.

• Indirect Tax Changes, including the proposal to charge GST/HST on services provided via digital platforms, as well as the temporary removal of GST/HST on face masks and shields.

For business owners, as of December 4th, the CEBA loan has been expanded by an additional $20,000.

Personal Tax Planning Tips – End of 2020 Tax Year

December 2, 20202020 Only, Blog, Charitable Gifting, Coronavirus, Coronavirus - Associates, Coronavirus - Practice Owners, Coronavirus - Retired, Coronavirus - Retiring, Coronavirus - Students, disability, Disability Insurance, Family, financial advice, Financial Planning, health benefits, pension plan, RDSP, Registered Education Savings Plan, RRSP, tax, Tax Free Savings Account

To help our clients, we’ve put together a comprehensive article filled with great tips on how to get ready for 2020 tax season. Here’s a summary of our personal tax tips article:

• Details about the different COVID-19 benefits programs and the tax ramifications of them

• Information about family tax issues including the Canada Child Benefits and tips on how to split income.

• Managing investments. Details about contributing to various savings plans such as a TFSA, RESP, or RDSP. Also tips on how and when to donate to charity and how to time the purchase or sale of investments.

• Retirement planning. How to make the most of your RRSP, things to know if you’ve turned 71, and tips on RRIF conversion.

10 Essential Decisions for Business Owners

November 1, 2020Blog, Business Owners, Estate Planning, financial advice, Financial Planning, Group Benefits, health benefits, Insurance, Investment, taxbusiness owners

Business owners are busy… they’re busy running a successful business, wearing lots of hats and making a ton of decisions. We’ve put together a list of 10 essential decisions for every business owner to consider.

Tax Loss Selling

April 2, 20202020 Only, Blog, Coronavirus, Investment, tax

Over the last few weeks, the financial market has taken a downturn amidst fears over Coronavirus.

Understandably, you are concerned with your portfolio, it’s important to stay level-headed to avoid making financial missteps. However, staying level-headed doesn’t necessarily mean you sit there and do nothing. In fact, one consideration you can look is taking an active tax management approach.

Tax loss selling is a strategy to crystallize or realize any capital losses in your non-registered accounts so it can be used to offset any capital gains.