Time’s Up: CRA’s 100 Day Mandate for Improvement
After years of frustration on the part of tax professionals and taxpayers alike, the Finance Minister ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to clean up its act in 100 days. Specifically, the improvement plan was to run from September 2 through December 11. Finance Minister and Minister of National Revenue, Francoise-Phillippe Champagne instructed CRA to fix “unacceptable wait times and service delays.” Time’s up this week and CRA has released an update on progress. What gets measured, gets done. Let’s see what CRA’s metrics show.Clarification of German Pension Recipients Letter from Neubrandenburg
Canadians who receive German pensions may have seen some new items on the yearly letter from Neubrandenburg. Siegfried Merten, MFA™, has provided us with clarification on this letter and what pensioners need to do to remain in compliance. Advisors can be of great assistance here.
Graduate in the News – Meezan Shariff
Meezan Shariff is a student at Knowledge Bureau currently working toward her DFA – Bookkeeping Services Specialist™. Recently, we had a chance to ask her a few questions about how she felt about the courses she’s completed, what they did for her, and her overall experience. Friendly and upbeat, she was more than happy to give us a few minutes of her time.
It’s a Minority Liberal Government – What Can We Expect?
With a Liberal Party minority forming government after this week’s election, the big question on the minds of many taxpayers is, are taxes going to rise and, if so, for whom? This important milestone opens new opportunities for advisors’ discussions on year-end tax planning and important topics like investment, retirement and succession planning.To help you navigate through what’s to come, based on the Liberal election platform, this Knowledge Bureau Special Report runs through some of the more significant provisions announced in the Liberal Election Platform, as costed by Parliamentary Budget Office.
The Proposed New BPA: It’s Complicated
The new government has pledged changes to the Basic Personal Amount (BPA), but in doing so, has introduced significant complexity into the calculations, especially for higher-income earners. These changes are scheduled to begin in 2020 and targets taxpayers with incomes below $150,605 and $214,557 as explained below:
Election Expenditures: The Promises to Discuss Before Year-End
Highlights of some of the important tax expenditures planned by the new government, which translate into the promises made for targeted recipients, will form an important part of year-end tax planning this year. Tax and financial advisors may wish to discuss what’s coming up with their clients now, and review financial decision-making with new insights into the promises made by the Liberal government.
Emerging Trends in Wealth Management the Focus at Second Vantage Event
The second in a series of new professional development opportunities, The Vantage Series, presented by the Investment Industry Association of Canada and Knowledge Bureau will take place on Monday, October 28th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the National Club in Toronto, featuring thought leadership from four outstanding CEOs who will provide invaluable insights to advisors on the theme: Evolution and Change in Wealth Management Services.
