Red Ink on the Prairies

A day after Quebec’s Finance Minister Eric Girard brought down a Budget featuring a $6.3 Billion deficit, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled his government’s budget on March 19. Next up was Finance Minister Adrian Salas, who tabled the Manitoba Budget on March 24. The common thread: there’s lots of red ink on the Prairies. But that’s where the budget documents differ between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here’s the latest tax news and why it matters to the advice you give your clients.

If December is moving month for you, three pieces of advice:  tax a deep breath, treat yourself to some extra eggnog, and keep those moving expense receipts handy.  They will be worth a lot of money when  you file your tax return.

Knowledge Bureau’s November poll was a no-doubter. An overwhelming majority of 87% answered yes to the question: “Do you agree that the new reporting changes for 2016 will result in significant audit activity on the disposition of principal residences?”

There is a growing demand for qualified tax specialists in the financial services sector. Knowledge Bureau’s DFA- Tax Services Specialist program™ will allow you to tap into this profitable career path and build your own professional practice. All it takes is six in-depth courses (180 hours) to earn your DFA-Tax Services Specialist™ designation, and you can get started immediately.

Knowledge Bureau’s Annual Personal Tax Bootcamp is coming soon: in six cities across Canada: January 17-25, 2017. Registrants are urged to reserve their spots early as seating is limited, and to take advantage of early-bird tuition reductions until January 10.

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Charles R. Swindoll

Taxpayers who are subject to clawbacks of EI, OAS or personal amounts, have marginal tax rates that are significantly higher than other taxpayers at the same income levels.  When planning income levels in retirement, these inflated marginal tax rates need to be avoided whenever possible.