Tax Avoidance, Financial Stress & Well Being
Earlier this month, Statistics Canada published a report titled Stretching the Loonie: a time series analysis of financial difficulty and quality of life. The report is based on a nation-wide survey and the results are concerning. They reveal a serious trend and it is possible this is contributing to the late filing trend we are seeing this tax season.Life Purpose
"Find out who you are and be that person. That's what your soul was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come." Ellen DeGeneres
Are Legal Fees Paid To Collect Severance Tax Deductible?
Did you incur legal fees in order to collect money owed to you for severance, pension benefits or a retiring allowance? You may claim those expenses as Other Deductions on the tax return. But there are a few catches.
CPP or TFSA? It’s an Issue of Retirement Security
This week, Canada’s finance ministers met in Vancouver and agreed in principle to the expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) over a seven-year phase-in period, starting January 1, 2019. Higher contributions by workers and their employers will result. But will the revamped CPP be enough to provide for the retirement security Canadians need?
Underground Economy Grows 3.8%
The Underground Economy grew 3.8% between 2012 and 2013, but is considered “stable” based on CRA’s June 20th revised estimate report for the period 1992-2013. Still, it’s growing at the same rate as the GDP – 2.45% - and is estimated to be close to $46 Billion in size. So who is skirting their tax obligations?
Tax Preparers Perpetrating Fraud Go To Jail
The month of June was a bad one for tax practitioners who have perpetrated fraud. Tax evasion can attract fines of up to 200% of the taxes avoided plus other administrative penalties, including gross negligence (50% of taxes owing) and late filing (up to 10% of unpaid amounts).
How Much Money Is Enough?
The changes to the CPP agreed upon this week by eight of Canada’s Finance Ministers (Quebec and Manitoba have not yet agreed), will help Canadians contemplate how much is enough for their retirement. To answer this question, it is important to first reflect on longevity statistics in Canada and, second, on the amount of money required for adequate income in retirement.
