A Challenge for New Clients: How to Choose a Trusted Advisor

If you’re in business for yourself, you have a unique opportunity to build wealth in an asset class that others don’t have: equity in a business enterprise that some day may be sold for millions of dollars. In addition, that business can spin off income for family members that can provide significant tax advantages, done well. Understanding how to realize on this asset requires the help of a trusted financial advisory team. Who should be on that team and how do you find them? This is a challenge your next new business clients may wrestle with. Here are some tips on how you can open discussions to help them:

After successfully completing your T1 Tax Preparation – Basic course, the next step is to move onto the advanced course T1 Professional Tax Preparation – Advanced.

“I have a broad range of experience in and knowledge of the Canadian and, to a lesser degree, American tax system. I enjoy keeping up to date and current on the subtle year to year changes in the tax laws and how these changes affect my clients. I also have a personal and special interest in various aspects of real estate, be it ownership or rental. I look forward to helping my clients maximize their returns and provide advice on the best course of action for their particular needs.” Munly Dobson, DFA - Tax Services Specialist™, British Columbia

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” Dale Carnegie

The Federal Budget is expected to be released in this fiscal quarter. Will taxes go up over the next five years? Finance Canada’s Fall Economic Update, released on November 1, 2016, provided an extensive analysis of near-term trends and private sector forecasts to give professional advisors good direction on the likelihood of tax increases in the period, and how inflation, interest rates, the dollar and the price of oil are expected to perform.

It’s really surprising how many people don’t know when the tax filing deadline is. CRA often mentions two dates: April 30 and June 15. Which is it for you? Unless you or your spouse are reporting income from an unincorporated small business, the answer will usually be April 30.  That’s not true this year, though.

New Year’s Resolutions often involve the purging of winter weight, weighty closets or weights on the mind, including the guilt of understating income or overstating expenses or credits on the tax return.