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.   

In the accounting and finance industry, a lot has changed since the 1950s. Today this field is of particular appeal to women, as they now make up a widening majority (58 Percent) of its workforce. Earnings for women have also doubled, making this an excellent career choice. 

Are retired Canadians turning to you for help when they’ve been subjected to Old Age Security clawbacks? If you are a professional in the tax and financial services industry, its your job to provide valuable advice to pre-retirees on this complex issue, and help them avoid the Pension Recovery Tax that could take a chunk out of their retirement income.

The clock is ticking! Do you have everything you need to file your taxes before the April 30 deadline? Rushing through the tax preparation process can cause you to miss important steps, putting you at risk of an audit. This is your guide to the basics, and Knowledge Bureau’s Tax Documentation Checklist will take you the rest of the way in preparing an audit-proof return. Be sure to contact us for your copy, or click on the link provided!

On March 28, 2018 Ontario released what has been widely considered to be a “Pre-Election Budget”. Aside from large spending increases, it features changes to Ontario’s tax rate structure, which so far have received little fanfare. Seven tax brackets result in personal tax increases for almost two million people; in addition, 20,000 private businesses will pay at least $2,400 more in health taxes.

Did you know that there are more changes coming to the Canada Pension Plan in 2019? Most Canadians are unaware, and even those in the know find that the CPP planning process is quite confusing. There is opportunity here for tax and financial advisors to help bring their pre-retiree clients up to speed before the end of tax season.

Last week we discussed the deductibility of interest and penalties levied by the Canada Revenue Agency. In Part two of this series, we’re taking a closer look at the deductibility of interest costs on your investments.