Helping First Nations, Inuit and Metis with Tax Filing

The Canada Revenue Agency is trying to reach out to Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis to encourage them to file their tax forms on time and could use your help to make sure these communities get all the tax benefits they are entitled to. But filing tax returns are not always easy, especially when there is income on and off the reserve.

The Investment Income Calculator provides a step-by-step method for planning investment income for a single client or a couple over a four-year period. The calculator deals with TFSAs, registered investments (including RPPs, RRSPs, RESPs, and DPSPs) as well as non-registered investments.

The Money Matters: Financial Lessons for Life 2014 calendars are full of timely and relevant money matter tips and make wonderful client gifts. Ensure your calendars with a pre-order – the 2013 calendar sold out! English and French calendars available. Order by August 15.

The federal government gave character conversion transactions a mid-summer reprieve on July 11, making the transition process somewhat easier for companies that use derivative forward agreements to change the character of income transactions to capital transactions.

CRA answered close to 3 million calls this past tax filing season, and 20 million—or over 76% of tax filers—filed electronically this year, an increase of 17% over last year.

One of the most difficult asset transitions can involve the family cottage. In this second of a two-part article in family cottage planning, Knowledge Bureau author David Christianson discusses potential solutions to this sticky issue.

This year’s average tax refund of $1641 takes a big bite out of retirement savings for Canadian families.