Back to School Tax Breaks

Like tax season, back-to-school season rolls around annually with certainty. But in today’s inflationary environment, the start-up costs for getting the family organizing for the school year may seem daunting. The good news is that tax and financial advisors can help clients understand their tax planning options and manage all the receipts that can lead to tax breaks later in the spring during tax filing time. Here’s a primer of topics you may wish to discuss:

“Just because you’re down to your last strike, you’re not out yet. You can always do more. You’ll always have more at-bats to take. That’s true in baseball, in rescuing animals, and in life, generally.” - Tony La Russa

On July 18, 2017, Finance Minister Bill Morneau released a series of tax proposals which, if enacted, will have severe repercussions on Canadian private family businesses and their shareholders. Tax and financial advisors need to be aware of these proposed changes and understand what impact they will have on their clients before year end. Knowledge Bureau is pleased to announce it has published a newly revised online certificate course in T2 tax preparation and planning to help advisors get up to speed on the impact of these tax reforms.

The average Canadian with debt could have to pay an additional $130 per month for debt repayment, as interest rates are anticipated to rise over the next year. Advisors can help clients adjust to these changes – but what is the best strategy?

No doubt about it:  leadership is challenging these days.  Whether you are raising a child, coaching someone else’s child, directing a team to reach a common goal, or leading your clients towards their financial goals and objectives, the skills you need to navigate change – a leader’s, primary role – are themselves changing.  Your business and career growth, in fact, may depend on your ability to embrace new leadership requirements.

It was the go-to savings vehicle for generations of Canadians, and a gateway to more sophisticated investing for millions. But with Canada Savings Bonds (CSBs) off the table as of November 1, advisors should guide clients to another option that will occupy the same space in their hearts — and finances. There are five key reasons the TFSA should be an even better choice for Canadian savers.

Amidst calls by the federal government to improve “tax fairness,” a report by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) shows that while a mere three per cent of all tax filers earn $150,000 or more, they contribute over one-third of all federal income taxes collected.