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:

It’s that time of year: Finance Canada is doing pre-budget consultations and wants you to weigh in on what you’d like to see in the 2017 federal budget. The department has launched a savvy new consultation site with new multi-media opportunities to contribute your best thoughts.

It’s too bad so many people miss out on year-end tax planning for the family. Tax planning is about what you keep: what’s left of your income and capital after taxes are paid. Now is a great time for advisors and clients to review what can be done to lessen this year’s tax load.

October marks the official start of “year-end tax planning season,” and this year there are numerous areas of concern for tax and financial advisors to cover with their clients. The Distinguished Advisor Workshops will soon be coming to four cities across Canada, and some of Canada’s top practitioners will be on hand to share knowledge with delegates. RSVP by October 15 for early-bird savings on tuition fees.

Knowledge Bureau and Manulife are pleased to announce that Financial Advisor Lindsay Sawyer Fay of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Darren Ryan, a financial advisor with Ryco Financial in St. John’s, Newfoundland have been selected as the 2016 winners of THE DAC YOUNG ADVISORS AWARD.

Applications for the 2016 DISTINGUISHED ADVISOR CONFERENCE CLIENT INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD are now being accepted.  It’s a new award at DAC this year, open to practicing advisors of all ages; who have been actively engaged in the financial services industry for at least five years.

Payroll is an important component of year-end planning as owner-manager compensation and employee bonuses and benefits are calculated. In other words, tax has a heavy influence on both business cash flow and employee after-tax results.