Interest rates are putting policymakers and politicians between a rock and a hard place. When the Bank of Canada recently left the overnight rate at 1%, it confirmed the likelihood the stable, low-interest-rate environment would continue into 2013. But those same low interest rates have fostered Canada's overvalued real estate market and record levels of household debt.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is putting some high-flying Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) and their "unusual” transactions under its microscope. It seems the ability of some TFSA holders to turn a $5,000 annual contribution into, for example, $300,000 in one year has attracted Ottawa's attention. The CRA recently sent questionnaires to selected TFSA holders and is threatening a penalty of close to 100% of the value of the TFSA for any missteps.

At tax time, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) releases a steady stream of bulletin and notices to help taxpayers. Recently, the publication T4060 CRA Collections Policies — Individual Income Tax (T1) and Notice 270 concering elimination of the HST in British Columbia in 2013 appeared on the CRA website.

On Thursday, March 29, after the federal Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty presents his 2012-2013 federal budget in the House of Commons, Knowledge Bureau Report will issue a Special Report, analyzing and assessing the impact of Budget 2012 on your finances. Tax expert and Knowledge Bureau President Evelyn Jacks will weigh in on the tax consequences, while other Knowledge Bureau experts will comment on the economic and financial and retirement planning implications.

As part of the Investment & Retirement Services Specialist program, Knowledge Bureau introduces a new self-study course, Tax Strategies for Financial Advisors, leading to the Knowledge Bureau's Master Financial Advisor Designation.

The course — written by Knowledge Bureau President Evelyn Jacks and tax specialist Walter Harder — aims to help advisors develop processes for strategic and tax-efficient investment income planning. "The objective,” says Jacks, "is to earn investment income tax-efficiently, split it with family members and avoid the eroding effect of taxes on capital at transition times.”

Tax, financial planning and wealth management competencies are required to fund income and capital accumulation goals derived from investments. The advisor must use a strategy and a process geared to preserving, growing and transitioning wealth tax efficiently to the next generation, throughout the lifecycles of individuals within a family.

Tax is a trigger for affluent families. They seek credible, trusted, and expert solutions to their investment strategies and expect to work with professionals who can increase returns with tax efficiency.

             Enrol now and SAVE $200 until March 27, 2012

MASTER Your Real Wealth: Start Today!

How to Live Your Life in Financial Security

Do you fear you will outlive your savings? Do you want better results from your investments? Then now's the time to Master Your Real Wealth!