Canada Needs a Financial Plan

According to a July 23 publication by the Fraser Institute, we are getting poorer here in Canada and the prospects for economic growth are looking grim.  This should be of concern to every Canadian concerned about their “real income” – that’s their purchasing power – and by extension - their ability to fund consumption now and for important family milestones in the future:  retirements, education and homeownership.  It’s grim, but there are practical suggestions for a turn around plan. Here’s a synopsis of the report.   

Canadians are struggling to meet their retirement savings goals, and this is an issue impacting the traditionally employed and self-employed, alike. A recent survey by TD identified that it’s a special challenge for gig workers in particular. But for many, it’s a dilemma that can be solved by changing priorities. 

British Columbia was the first province to release its budget this year, when they announced it on February 19. There were some interesting new benefits in the package that advisors must factor into their tax and financial strategies with clients who are B.C residents at the end of 2019.

Knowledge Bureau has been so inspired by graduate Renata McMann’s commitment to education. Here’s the story of her educational journey to become a DFA – Tax Services Specialist™. 

Is it better to invest your money into your TFSA or RRSP? The answer here isn’t black and white, so we decided to crunch some numbers and shed some light on the grey areas, for those who need to make the choice in anticipation of the March 1 RRSP contribution deadline.

The Public Transit Tax Credit has been eliminated by the federal government. But did you know that in Ontario, seniors who have reached age 65 by December 31, 2017, can claim a full-year credit on the 2018 tax return? Even better news: it’s refundable!

There’s nothing like a good house flipping show to get you thinking about the cash potential in your own home. The house flipper approach is to buy homes, live in them short-term while fixing them up, and then sell them; often for big profits. It sounds simple, but it’s not a foolproof strategy, because it comes with tax risks. When done often, house flipping can raise eyebrows at the CRA. Learn how to flip with care, and understand the principal residence rules that could diminish your profits, or worse.