This Month’s Poll
Do you agree with the government’s plan to introduce the new Canada Groceries Essentials Benefit (CGEB)?Navigating Cross-Border Tax Issues
The new T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement was released last week, and it requires attention by clients who hold offshore assets. It will be discussed in detail at the Distinguished Advisor Workshops, being held January 20-25, 2016. However, cross-border issues in general present a significant opportunity for tax and financial advisors.
Now Available: Evelyn Jacks’ Family Tax Essentials
It’s more important than ever for Millennials and their Boomer parents to start discussions about multi-generation tax, retirement and financial planning, and after dinner story-telling over the holidays is a great way to start a new financial journey in 2016. Just how do you build a Wealth Purpose with a Tax Strategy? Evelyn Jacks’ Family Tax Essentials will provide you with some great new ideas!
Holiday Hours At Knowledge Bureau
Note our head office staff will be taking a well-deserved family break from noon December 24, returning bright and early on January 4. We remind you to register for the Distinguished Advisor Workshops by December 31. For personal assistance, call us this week. But you can still register and study online throughout the month.
Household Debt Growth Outpaces Growth in Assets and Income
Perhaps it’s the Christmas spirit. Canadians appear to be putting the warnings to curtail their debt and prepare financially for tougher times on the back burner. This according to Statistics Canada, which just released the disconcerting news that the ratio of household credit market debt to disposable income rose to 163.7% in the third quarter of 2015. That’s up from 162.7% in the second quarter. Credit market debt includes consumer credit, mortgage loans, and non-mortgage loans.
Federal Government Takes Action to Stabilize Housing Market
Buying real estate in 2016? Be prepared to come up with a bigger down payment. Changes to government-backed mortgage insurance rules were announced last week to maintain a healthy, competitive, and stable housing market.
CRA Announces Interest Rates for First Calendar Quarter
On Dec. 15, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced the prescribed annual interest rates in effect from January 1 to March 31, 2016, confirming there are no changes to the prescribed interest rates since last quarter with the exception of one category: the interest rate for corporate taxpayers’ pertinent loans or indebtedness.
