5 more end-of-year tax saving tips

To every blog there is a ‘good-news’ portion and a ‘bad-news’ one. First the ‘good-news’! The last few weeks have been extraordinarily busy one here at AYTL. It would seem that every time when the CRA sends out a large quantity letters to individual who have not filed that our volume of work increases. This year the last several weeks have been filled with late filers—hence we have been very busy and yes we make more money when we are busier but alas ‘bad-news’ happens. In this case I have been unable to get to writing my blog on a more punctual basis and the 5 last minute tax saving tips that I promised several weeks ago have been late. But no more waiting and here they are:
1- Moving: If you are planning on moving early next year (especially to a province with a lower marginal tax rate) you should consider moving by December 31 of this year. Since you pay tax in the province of residence on December 31 you may have an advantage if you move now rather then later.
2- Loan to Spouse: Income splitting or loaning funds to your spouse may be advantageous. This is a touchy subject and musty be handled carefully to be accepted. However it should be considered for high income individuals. Better do some planning and call either Anthony Mastrogiovanni or myself for assistance in setyting up.
3 – RESP: If you are contributing to a Registered Educational Saving Plan, make your contribution before the year end in order to qualify for the 20% Canada Education Saving Grant.
4 – Installment payments: Don’t wait until early next year to make your final installment on your 2012 income taxes. Make your payment before December 31 and save the interest. Call us for more information.
5 – RRSP: YES I did show this a a year end tip on my previous blog, but it is the best and worth mentioning again for emphasis. I could mention it a third time but I am sure you get the point.
That is it! If you followed our advice you should save money on your next Personal Income Tax return.
I am signing off now and wishing one and all a safe holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Going for GREEN in 2013

Many of you have comented on our new website. It is not easy to think out, design and put together a website that shows not only the merits of our company but contains the philosophy in a hidden message. David Mouritsen has done a great job in subtly presenting the ‘message’. The first clue to going GREEN is selecting the colour. After rejecting many shades of GREEN the precise colour chosen was Pantone 376 – a remarkably uninformative name for a colour. It does have a lighter, brighter and less institutional look then our old colour and speaks out with the following clear voice–although very quietly.
All Year Taxation Limited would like to help the environment, one piece of paper at a time. Please provide us with your email address when sending us information. This will allow us to update our database and provide you with pertinent and timely information in an efficient manner.
As most of you are aware the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has changed the rules for filing starting January 1, 2013. Henceforth all tax preparers who file a large number of returns – like All Year Taxation Limited – must do so in an efile format. This will speed up the filing and refund process and save on paper. Someone (there is always someone) has figured out that to file a T1 Personal Tax Return takes the equivalent of 1 tree worth of paper. By efiling All Year Taxation Limited will save the equivalent of a small forest. So that is how we are going GREEN in 2013. What are you doing?

Tax Free Saving Accounts

Last week I stated that I would list an additional 5 year end tax saving tips this week. However the CRA have just announced that starting January 2013 the annual contribution limit is now $5,500 (an increase of $500) for every Canadian resident over 18 years of age. This information is too good to pass up–so that 5 year end tax saving tips will have to wait another week.  Now the total limit that an individual can contribute to a plan (since the TFSA started) is $25,500. As a tax saving this is getting too large to pass up. While contributions are not tax deductable, any gain or loss within the account is not taxable when withdrawn.  A simple calculation will show that investing the account similarly to an RSP over a period of time will be more beneficial than a RSP when the funds are withdrawn. If you need more information call me or drop me an email or visit any financial institution. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians can’t be wrong. Check it out!

Last week someone emailed me with a request for a joke, so………………

An accountant is having a hard time sleeping and goes to see his doctor, “Doctor, I just can’t get to sleep at night.”

“Have you tried counting sheep?”

“That’s the problem – I make a mistake and then spend three hours trying to find it!”