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.

The next quarterly tax instalment deadline is December 15.   Surprisingly, almost 30% said no to Knowledge Bureau’s November’s poll question, which asked: “Canadians who have net tax owing of more than $3,000 for 2015 and in either of 2014 or 2013 must make quarterly income tax remittances. Should this threshold be increased?”

Mark your calendars for Knowledge Bureau’s annual, comprehensive personal tax update taking place January 20-25, 2016. This day-long certificate workshop will “shake out the cobwebs” for new and returning tax practitioners in tax, bookkeeping and accounting offices and is an excellent resource for financial advisors working with clients on tax-efficient wealth planning strategies during the busy RRSP season.

Your clients may be increasingly concerned that their personal information is secure as you work with them. Are you confident that the information that you and your clients transfer between you is secure? What can you do to ensure it is?

The new tax changes announced by the new Liberal government during their election campaign have been incorporated into Knowledge Bureau's Income Tax Estimator.

The selling of capital assets is a permanent transaction, one that can lock in gains and losses and leave taxpayers with either positive or negative tax results. Structuring transfers of assets to family members can be just as precarious, without financial guidance from learned and experienced specialists, that is.

At this year’s Distinguished Advisors Conference (DAC), one of Canada’s most respected tax experts, Tim Cestnick, Managing Director of Advanced Wealth Planning at Scotiabank, offered insights into the six types of capital inherent in family wealth, and into using trusts to preserve as much financial capital as possible in a transfer of wealth.