During the summer of 2017, CCPC shareholders and tax advisors across Canada were surprised with by the announcement of new tax rules and restrictions that were being planned by the Minister of Finance. Basically, Ottawa felt that the existing rules at the time were too generous for the CCPC shareholders and intended to scale the “tax perks” down considerably. Almost two years later and with much drama during the interim, the new tax regime is now in place and time will tell how much extra ... 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 Dilemmas As 2017 Come To A Close
2017 has been a year of drama for Vancouver tax advisors and I am happy that it is coming to an end. I have to admit, it is not so much January 1, 2018 I am looking forward to. I am anxiously waiting for the 2018 budget date which may bring all Canadian private corporations more clarity on their financial and tax future. Vancouver Tax Planning - Changes For Private Coporations On July 18, 2017, Ottawa proposed dramatic changes to the taxation of private corporations. Since then, Ottawa has ... Read More
Dealing With the Death of Your Accountant
There are many tax-planning tips for death and estate, but not much is written about the death of your accountant who has been taking care of the family’s finances for decades. I just read a statistic that says 43% of financial advisors are over the age of 55, and are approaching retirement. Even my own experience with new clients tells me that there are more than a few well-established financial advisors getting ready to retire in the Greater Vancouver Area. If you suspect that your ... 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
Use 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 MoreTax Planning Tips for IT Consultants
Are you one of the many IT professionals currently working in the booming tech sector in the Vancouver area? You may be paying too many unnecessary taxes! Here are some helpful tips, courtesy of your Vancouver Chartered Accountants at Mew and Company: Determine if you are in fact self-employed under CRA’s definition. The RC4110 guide from CRA is written for laymen and is easy to understand. If you do not meet the definition of “self-employed” using the criteria listed in this guide, but you ... Read More
No Taxable Income, No Rush to File – Think Again About Information Returns
Mew & Company, Vancouver Corporate Tax Accountants
Penalties for Filing Late with the Canada Revenue Agency
Sophisticated Canadian small corporations have good knowledge of the tax filing requirements and deadlines for their corporate tax return. Corporate tax returns are due six months after the business year end. The penalty for late filing is based on the amount of taxes owing on the date the corporate tax return is due. If the corporation had a bad year or is in an ... Read MoreLack of Sophistication May Not Get You Off the Hook With CRA
Vancouver Tax Audit Services: the CRA's Negligence Penalty The CTV news show W5 aired an episode on February 9, 2014 called Punitive Penalties about a program named the Fiscal Arbitrators where 1804 Canadian taxpayers paid thousands of dollars to be part of what they thought was a legal tax scheme. The scheme did not end well as the participating taxpayers were later reassessed by CRA. The “news” part of this story is that CRA also slapped the taxpayers involved with gross negligence ... Read More
