In addition to fitness programs covered by the children’s fitness tax credit, parents can now claim money spent on programs that focus on fine arts, music, performing arts, outdoor wilderness training, learning a language, studying a culture, tutoring, and more. When parents claim the children’s arts tax credit – up to a maximum of $500 [...]

While setting up a corporation may seem like a good idea if you’re self-employed, it can have serious tax consequences in certain instances. If Canada Revenue Agency determines that you are, effectively, an “incorporated employee”, it may disallow a number of business expenses as well as the small business deduction which normally applies to the [...]

Taxable benefits are an area to which business owners should pay close attention. Many benefits which, on the surface, may not appear to be taxable actually are and it’s important to protect your business and your employees by knowing the difference. For example, a car given to an employee for business use would not be [...]

Another tax year has come and gone, though it seems hard to believe it’s that time of year again already! Please be mindful of the following deadlines related to contributions to RRSPs, distributing T4 slips, along with filing deadlines for 2011 tax returns for individuals and self-employed persons. RRSP Contribution Deadline February 29, 2012 is [...]

Most of us would like to send less of what we earn to the Canada Revenue Agency and keep more of it in our own pockets. One thing that can be done to reduce tax liability is to file for any tax credits that may be applicable to your situation. The Knowledge Bureau shares tips [...]

June 15th, 2011 is the tax filing deadline for the self-employed and their spouses and common law partners; it is also the date the second quarterly instalment payment is due for some taxpayers. These are important milestones for compliance and wealth planning purposes and the following are tips offered by The Knowledge Bureau for maximizing opportunities [...]

If your company is not up-to-date with its HST filings with CRA, you could be facing serious penalties and/or an audit. The best way to steer clear of the wrath of CRA is to file on time and pay any amounts owing by the due dates. If you’re filing your own HST returns, it’s important [...]

If you or your spouse or common-law partner did business as a sole proprietor or if you have business income in addition to any money you earned as an employee of a company, the deadline for filing your tax return is on or before June 15, 2011. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CRA [...]

As the saying goes, time flies and another tax year has come and gone. Check out CRA’s web site for important tax filing deadlines, including the following: INDIVIDUALS – on or before April 30, 2011 SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS – on or before June 15, 2011 Please note that any tax owing is due on or before [...]

Wow! It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone and it’s tax time again! Make sure you’re informed about tax credits for which you may qualify and any other changes to CRA’s regulations which may apply to you as an individual or to your business. CRA has prepared a list of top 5 [...]

Deadline for filing T4s is February 28, 2011 for the calendar year 2010 for all employee wages and taxable benefits. In order to prepare accurate T4 forms on behalf of a company, a bookkeeper needs a complete set of books to be able to see all wages and benefits that employees have earned during the [...]

In an effort to streamline the filing process, NALH is adopting electronic filing procedures for GST/HST, Corporate Tax Returns, Payroll and Personal Tax returns for eligible clients. In order to be able to submit filings electronically, all clients must fill out CRA form RC59. Get in touch with us to ensure that your form is [...]

With the implementation date of the HST now in effect, be sure to check out the following list of web resources to learn more about the new Harmonized Sales Tax and how it will affect you and your business. BC GOVERNMENT Consumer Taxes Section Harmonized Sales Tax, Creating Jobs, Lowering Prices CANADA REVENUE AGENCY Goods [...]

For meal expenses, the simplified rate is unchanged from 2008, a flat rate of $17 a meal or $51 per day, per person is allowed without receipts. If you choose the detailed method, you must keep your receipts. For the simplified method of claiming vehicle expenses for trips relating to the northern residents deduction, moving [...]

To encourage investment by businesses in computer systems and related peripherals, the Income Tax Regulations were amended on May 13, 2009 to add new Class 52 to Schedule II with a 100-per-cent tax depreciation rate for eligible computers and software acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 2011. Visit the CRA web site for [...]