How to manage your expanding business

Managing a growing business presents both opportunities and challenges. To avoid future problems, you need a strategic plan supported by a dynamic team to make it happen. Keep these tips in mind when you are trying to juggle a fast-paced and rapidly growing business: Stay focused: The road to success is not always accompanied by…

Proposed Changes to CPP

Currently, workers and employers in Canada pay 4.95% of salaries into the CPP, up to a maximum income level of $55,300 a year. When people retire at the age of 65, they are paid a maximum annual pension of $13,370 under the program. People earning more than $54,900 do not contribute to CPP above that…

Record Retention

Books and records are required to be kept in a way that will ensure the reliability and readability of the information recorded. The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes either of the following as records: 1. traditional books and records (including supporting source documents) produced and retained in paper format; and 2. books and records produced and…

Online Accounting Software

Why is cloud accounting good for business? The use of traditional accounting software is typically regarded as a tedious and time-consuming process, which takes the excitement away from core business operations. Thus, in recent years we have seen a major marketplace movement towards cloud-based accounting software in efforts to streamline the accounting processes. A few…

Potential Changes for Canadian Snowbirds

The U.S. and Canada implemented an agreement to scan passports and share the information to track the time snowbirds spend in the U.S.  Currently the number of days allowed is generally 182 days in a single year and less if they meet the “substantial presence test”.  A new bill, currently before congress, would allow Canadians…

2017 Federal Budget

The 2017 Federal Budget tabled a number of proposals that will impact the financial, tax and estate plans of Canadians. Tuition tax credit – the eligibility criteria for tuition tax credits has been extended to include fees paid to a university, college or other post-secondary institution for occupational skills courses not offered at the post-secondary…

RRSP Contribution Deadlines and Maximums

Deadline The deadline for this year’s tax contribution is March 1, 2018. Contributions made in the first 60 days of the year can be applied against the previous taxation year or in any subsequent year.   Maximum Contribution   Your allowable RRSP contribution for 2017 is the lower of: 18% of your earned income from…

Is the Tax on Capital Gains going to Increase?

Rumours continue to swirl that the Liberals plan to raise taxes by cutting back on the break Canadians get from capital gains. The current capital gain inclusion rate is 50%. Examples of properties that incur capital gain taxes upon disposition include: secondary properties, like cottages (principal residences are exempt from tax) investments held outside a…

Personal Income Tax Changes!

It is almost time to prepare and file your 2016 personal income tax returns. Here are some changes in 2016 to be aware of: The Family Tax Cut has been eliminated for 2016 and later years. This was a $2,000 non-refundable tax credit up to $2,000 for eligible couples with minor children. Children’s Fitness and…