Tax Avoidance, Financial Stress & Well Being

Earlier this month, Statistics Canada published a report titled Stretching the Loonie: a time series analysis of financial difficulty and quality of life. The report is based on a nation-wide survey and the results are concerning. They reveal a serious trend and it is possible this is contributing to the late filing trend we are seeing this tax season.

THE MFA and DFA-Specialist Designations identify a select group of Wealth Advisors who have specialized skills within the tax and financial services industry. These programs, available exclusively through Knowledge Bureau and its strategic partners, lead to mastery in tax and bookkeeping services, business services and retirement and estate services under a platform of Real Wealth Management™.

You can enter this month’s skill-testing financial trivia question to win a free registration to the DAC in Kelowna, where this year’s theme will be:  CANADA 150: Financial Advice at the Crossroads of Change.

Laramie Tan-Amit Developed Her Competitive Edge as DFA – Tax Services Specialist:

“As we look back and move forward, we would all be advised to remember that pride goes before the fall.” Former Bank of Canada Governor, Mark Carney in Geneva, 2010

Because employers are generally required to pay for the premises, assets and supplies used up by their employees in performing their duties, the employees themselves have few out-of-pocket costs to claim on the tax return. In some cases, the employee will have expenditures, but to claim them, very specific procedures must be followed.

For many taxpayers, the end of February marks the deadline for the annual ritual of contributing to their RRSP.  This year the contribution deadline for 2016 is March 1, 2017.  But is this last-minute rush to contribute the best course of action?