Investigative Tax Prep:  Top Ten Changes to Probe

Tax season 2025 has started with a focus on the increased income levels some taxpayers may report due to proposed changes in capital gains tax laws.  But aside from this there are new questions to probe with clients to ensure the family’s tax returns are filed to their very best benefit, given change in their life and financial events as well.  Here are top 10 queries to add to your interview checklist:

As we all enjoy family weddings and graduations, nurturing beautiful flowers and sharing long evenings admiring Canada’s summer splendor, there are important tax filing and planning milestones to observe, despite these compelling distractions.  Make sure the Knowledge Bureau’s Summer Time Financial Checklist below is covered off before hitting the beach, or your favorite links, over the next 8 weeks.  Plus check out the KB Glossary of Tax Terms and Acronyms to discuss with newcomers and new clients to increase their tax and financial literacy:

The last thing that may be on the minds of prospective First Home Savings Account holders is a withdrawal, considering how new the plan is.  Available since April 1, 2023, many advisors and clients are just now gearing up to engage clients in the significant opportunity for first home savings.   However, it’s important to look at every investment holistically, and that means understanding the tax consequences going in and coming out of the FHSA.

Pension plans, RRSPs, estate plans and IPPs are one side of retirement.  These are common, but what about a retiree’s quality of life? Research shows over 80 per cent of today’s boomers do not have any sort of retirement coach or mentor and many are looking to their advisor to provide leadership in that area.  As a coach, an advisor has the power to help clients be as successful as possible in life after work. 

Time to hit the books – online, that is?  Summertime is a great time to earn specialized credentials by earning your Diploma or Designation from Knowledge Bureau.   We’ve got a special offer to help with the tax-deductible tuition fees:  a $100 saving for new students.  This early bird offer ends June 15.  Plus there is a bonus for our VIP Prior Grads:  save $100, $200 or $300 more.  Details below. Grad rates can also be applied to team training enrolments. And, best of all, you can start anytime, 24/7, even today!

The 2023 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC Acuity) takes place November 12 to 14 at the beautiful Banff Springs Hotel. It is going to be an outstanding industry event for several reasons: the incredible education from Canada’s top thought leaders in the tax, accounting and financial services, as well as our 20th Anniversary celebrations!  We invite you to experience all that this year’s event has to offer by visiting the new interactive agenda, just launched. You can enrol there for events, travel, hotel and  sign up by June 30 for early bird tuition reductions.  Hurry -  reserve the incredibly low hotel rates (rooms will sell out fast):

Looking for a new way to earn CE Credits? Check out the new micro-courses from Knowledge Bureau and build new relationships with new conversations with your clients!  Earn 5 CE Credits with Knowledge Bureau and FPCanada, IAFE, ICM, AIC and MFDA.  Now, save 50% on any collection of your choice until June 15!