Just two years back, when buying condo presales was the rage of investing free cash in Vancouver, I wrote a short blog cautioning investors to begin preparation years ahead for the closing date of the deal. When the condo completes, full payment of the balance on the condo is required to close the deal; hence qualifying for the mortgage at that future time required some income reporting planning. Back then, waiting for construction completion date to close the deal was not necessarily part ... Read More
Last Chance Tax Planning for 2018
As 2018 comes to an end, tax advisors across Canada are busy restructuring and planning many corporations to respond to the new tax rules that came into existence this year.
BC's New Tax Law Called Tax on Split Income (TOSI)
The biggest new tax law introduced this year is Tax on Split Income or TOSI for short. TOSI is so complicated that many tax advisors use a flowchart to visually follow the rules to assist in determining where the taxpayer stands with this rule this year. As ... Read MoreVancouver Tax Planning for CCPC’s As We Approach the Second Half of 2018
As the summer of 2018 comes to an end, vancouver tax advisors are starting to contemplate the tax planning work that will be required for CCPC come fall 2018. At the start of 2018, tax advisors and incorporated businesses awaited the 2018 federal budget with high level of anxiety. After all, the initial announcement to eliminate the tax deferral advantage that a CCPC enjoyed using its after-tax business income to earn passive income was severely punitive. As time passed and Ottawa responded ... Read More
Guidance for Vancouver Small Businesses Using QBO
Using QBO - QuickBooks Online More small-business owners are migrating from desktop accounting software to a cloud-based system. Cloud-based accounting software, such as QBO, allows the user access anywhere in the world. This ease of access, combined with the ability to download transactions from banks, vendors, credit card companies, etc., makes bookkeeping so straightforward now, pundits claim, that small businesses using cloud software no longer need bookkeepers. Unfortunately, as great as ... Read More
Vancouver Tax Planning: Time to Look at the Capital Dividend Account
As we reach the mid-point of the 2017 calendar year, it has been a good financial year for many British Columbian investors. Real estate gains continue and, for equity investors, the stock market has been on a tear since the fall of 2016. Vancouver Corporate Tax Planning With the conclusion of the personal tax-filing season, summer and fall is the time for corporate tax planning. The one tax planning item that should be looked at this year, due to such favorable macro-financial conditions, is ... Read More
Thinking About Buying a Small Business?
Buying a Small Business, Accounting Tips to Minimize Due Diligence Costs
Successful businesses are often on the hunt to acquire other businesses for strategic reasons. Acquiring a competitor to increase market share or buying out a supplier to add synergy to an existing business are just a few of the many reasons businesses seek acquisitions. At times, an acquisition may be relatively small and a buyer’s cost-benefit analysis may determine that large accounting fees for due diligence ... Read MoreMore Reasons for BC Businesses to Incorporate
Small business corporate tax rates in BC heading downwards
Several changes to tax legislation announced in the 2015 Canadian federal budget were recently granted Royal Assent. A measure that is highly relevant for small businesses in BC going forward is the gradual decrease in the combined federal and provincial corporate tax rates over the next 4 years, which are as follows: 13.5 % - present rate 13.0 % - effective January 1, 2016 12.5 % - effective January 1, 2017 12.0 % - ... Read MoreUse of Family Trust for Income Splitting
Income Splitting Using a Family Trust As discussed and referenced in previous blog posts, a successful corporation with surplus retained earnings can reap large tax-saving benefits from income splitting when done with spouse and children. When the owner/shareholder of a business wishes to take advantage of income splitting opportunities as his children reach adult age, the easiest and most economical way to accomplish this is by restructuring the existing share classes and holdings. Ideally, ... Read More
Professional Partnerships and the Incorporated Partners
The 13.5% Corporate Tax Rate I have discussed or referenced in many corporate tax planning blogs that the biggest benefit to being an incorporated Canadian business is that the first $500,000 in corporate profits is taxed at a low 13.5% corporate tax rate. Professionals and their net profits from an incorporate practice also benefit from this corporate tax rate.
Tax Planning Problem for Professional Partnerships
However, many professionals work in a partnership business structure where ... Read MoreThe Costly Consequences of Pretending To Be An Incorporated Consultant
Canadian corporations enjoy a 13.5% corporate tax rate on the first $500,000 of taxable income from active business due to the small business deduction. Therefore, it makes sense for a corporation to structure its business affairs in ways that can take full advantage of this favourable tax rate. The majority of Canadian businesses qualify for the above benefit. However, some “consultants” who may have incorporated their service businesses may be taking advantage of the low corporate tax rate, ... Read More
