CRA Shut Down: Communicate Proactively Before Long Weekend
Did you know that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be undergoing a digital migration on the September long weekend, starting Friday August 29 at 8:00 p.m. and ending Tuesday at 6:00 am September 2, with the proviso that this possibly could last til September 3? What could go wrong? Plenty.Designates: Don’t Miss Your Dec 31 Re-certification Deadline!
Keep up your credentials in 2020. If you are a Knowledge Bureau designate, be sure to update your status as per our Standards of Conduct, which require relicensing to use the designation marks at year-end. You should have received your re-licensing notice by now; if not please contact us before the holidays.
The New BPA: Now Confirmed, It’s Complicated
On December 9,2019, the new government has introduced the legislation to implement changes to the Basic Personal Amount (BPA). This is a broad-based tax change that should put more money into employees’ pockets every payday, and help to reduce quarterly or annual instalment remittances for others. But, it’s all very complex and the changes are scheduled to begin in 2020. There is a spoiler alert, however.
Managing TFSA Misconceptions: Avoiding Errors and Omissions
The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) has been with us for a decade now, yet there are many misconceptions about it. For example, the 2019 contribution limit is $63,500 for those who have been eligible to contribute every year since 2009. That’s residents of Canada who are 18 or over. If you turned 18 in 2019, however, you would contribute based on the current year limit of $6000. Another big problem: when to replenish your withdrawn funds.
Are Canadians Financially Literate? Professional Advisors Weigh In
New data from the 2019 Canadian Financial Capability Survey* shows that Canadians are under increasing financial stress. However, only 49% seek the help they need from tax and financial advisors. Additionally, according to the pros who answered Knowledge Bureau’s poll last month, there are significant knowledge gaps that exist among Canadians when it comes to their financial literacy. The reasons are both diverse and very interesting.
Doing Good for Disabled Clients: Help Them Claim All Their Disability Tax Credits
The disability tax credit is often overlooked by taxpayers and can result in big tax savings or refunds, especially if the taxpayer fails to claim it for several years. Prior filed returns can be adjusted but only back 10 years. Therefore, the deadline for claiming this credit, as well as most other deductions and credits for 2009 is December 31, 2019.
Explore, Engage & Thrive: Canada’s Most Comprehensive T1 Tax Update
If you are a professional tax and financial advisor, it is your job to know all the personal tax nuances your clients will face as they discover a multiplicity of new tax form challenges in the tax filing season 2020. This year, register no later than January 10 for the CE Summits, which are expected to sell out in 6 cities: Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. But there is another important reason to come: multi-advisory business referral opportunities.
