HGA 3-Minute Update!

Welcome Ashley and Involvi Consulting!

We are proud to announce the addition of Ashley McKarney and Involvi Consulting to our HGA team of experts!

Involvi provides a variety of services including Ongoing HR Support, HR Department Set Up, Policies, Procedures, Employee Handbooks and Orientation, as well as HR Project work. We're excited to see how this partnership can grow and provide HR resources to our clients. Have questions for Ashley? Connect with her directly at the link below!

Click here to connect with Ashley at Involvi Consulting

HGA Accounting: Employee home office expenses in response to COVID-19
CRA’s new pronouncement increases the ability of employees who were required to work from home due to COVID-19, to claim home office expenses. The changes for both employees and employers are being implemented to simplify the process of employees claiming home office expenses on their 2020 personal tax returns including:

a. New daily flat rate of $2.00/day to a maximum of $400, if an employee worked at home for at least 4 consecutive weeks

b. New simplified forms T2200S and T777S to claim employment expenses relating to COVID-19

Want to learn more about employment expense deductions or the new simplified forms? Click the link below.

Click here to learn more

HGA Law: Recent changes to the Builders Lien Act in Alberta

Some recent changes had been released relating to the Builders Lien Act. Among the changes are the requirement that a contractor issue a “proper invoice” in the form of a bill or request for work done, services provided, or materials supplied for an improvement under a contract or subcontract.

Additionally, the changes will also now require the owner to release a statutory holdback on an annual or phased basis. While this will allow contractors and subcontractors access to greater cash flow, it will reduce the lien security for lien claimants.

To learn more about the changes, what a “proper invoice” requires and how these changes might impact you or your business, please contact a member of our team at HGA Law.

Click here to connect with Taylor at HGA Law

HGA Insurance: Your Winter Emergency Kit
When it comes to winter driving in Canada we have to prepare for the unexpected. That means always carrying an emergency kit in your vehicle, with the following items;

WINTER TOOLS: Snowbrush, ice scraper, shovel, bag of sand/gravel for traction, as well as jumper cables.
FOR EMERGENCIES: First aid-kit, flashlights and batteries, blankets, handwarmers, cell phone charger, warm clothing and proper footwear.

Have questions about your current auto insurance policy? Click the link below to connect with Mackenzie at HGA Insurance!

Click here to connect with Mackenzie at HGA Insurance

Grey Street Media: 3 ways to reboot your marketing strategy in 2021
The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to adapt and transform the way they do business and engage with customers. How can your marketing strategy for 2021 reflect those changes?

1. Tune in to your audience: Listen, don't talk. Engage meaningfully with your audiences online via email, social media, and video messaging. Tell stories, raise spirits, and be there when they need you.

2. Go virtual: We may not be meeting in person, but your clients and customers are still eager to engage with you. From live-streamed panel discussions to Zoom touchbases, your clients will appreciate the pivot.

3. Repurpose your content: Have blog posts that are collecting dust on your website? Take a new approach and repurpose your old content in new ways such as video, podcasts, or social media posts.

Click here to connect with Taylor about your marketing strategy

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