News Room

Mark Your Calendar: Critical Deadlines for May and June

Tax season never truly ends, it seems, as there are many more upcoming tax filing, investment planning and education milestones to discuss with your clients over the next six months. Check out our handy checklist below and then test yourself – what are the conversation openers you’ll use and with which clients? It’s your opportunity to shine with every member of the household:

Jeffrey Simpson:  The Threat to Knowledge Authorities in the Sharing Economy

One of Canada’s foremost journalists and commentators on public policy shared his insights with attendees on the first day of the 2015 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) in a thought-provoking session in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Jeffrey Simpson, national affairs columnist for The Globe and Mail, spoke in detail about the age of dis-intermediation and what that means for advisors.

Philip Petursson:  New Strategies in Managing Portfolios

Philip Petursson, Managing Director of Manulife Asset Management’s Portfolio Advisory Group, encouraged attendees at the 2015 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) to think differently about portfolio management. He asserted that, in an attempt to serve clients and build value by customizing portfolios, advisors are following an approach that is actually inefficient and unproductive.

Year-End Tax Planning: Manage The Costs Of Debt

It’s hard to believe that back in 1980, Canadians’ debt to disposable income level was 66%; today it is 164%, which means that households today owe more than $1.64 for every dollar of disposable income. That’s a big problem if job loss is in the future and, therefore, should be a topic of conversation for those working in industries suffering downturns and in retirement planning conversations.

DAC and DAW 2016:  Outstanding CE Opportunities for Professionals

It’s official:  The Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) will be held November 6-9, 2016 in San Diego, and Knowledge Bureau’s Annual January Personal Tax Bootcamp is set to begin January 20 to 25, 2016 across Canada.  Registrants are urged to reserve their spots early and take advantage of early bird tuition reductions until December 15, 2015.

First Budget for Alberta’s New Government

Last week, Alberta’s new NDP government brought down their first provincial budget.

Maximum pensionable earnings for 2016 announced by CRA

On November 2, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced the maximum pensionable earnings under the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) for 2016 will be $54,900. That is up from $53,600 in 2015.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you agree that public trustees, guardians and departments supporting Indigenous Services should be able to certify impairments for the Disability Tax Credit?

  • Yes
    13 votes
    17.57%
  • No
    61 votes
    82.43%