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
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 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
Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: Is Your Vancouver Small Business Ready?
This law comes into effect July 1 – less than three weeks away!
What is “Spam”?
Essentially, it’s unsolicited electronic mail and/or communications. That “junk” folder in your inbox, you know, the one you never open? It’s likely full of spam. At the core, “spam” is about electronic commerce regulation, which means that it should be important to virtually every small business in Canada. The latest Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) makes three significant changes to the way you ... Read MoreBad Business Breakup Around the Corner?
Bad Business Breakup Around the Corner?
Business partnerships are never easy and can fail in both times of prosperity and times of strife. There are many reasons for breakup: bad financial results, good financial results, personality differences, lack of trust, conflicting visions, etc. Often, the knowledge of an impending breakup precedes the actual breakup by months, if not years. In the meantime, if lack of trust develops, the emotional ... Read MoreReality Hits on the First Day of Business Possession
Reality Hits on the First Day of Business Possession
The first few months after the successful acquisition of an existing business can be daunting. The opportunity and the excitement of steering the new “purchase” into your vision can be overshadowed quickly by the reality of running a business. Marketing, human resources, and of course, financial decisions will have to be made as soon as the first day of the business' operations begin. For many ... Read MoreA GST Refresher for BC Small Businesses
GST is a tax charged on most goods and services purchased in British Columbia. GST is charged on the gross sale price of the item or service before PST. A Business also gets to claim as input tax credit (“ITC”), the GST it pays out in operating its business. For example, GST paid on rent, computers, business cards, accounting fees, etc. are all refunded back to the business when it calculates its net GST owing to CRA every reporting period.
GST affects almost every business owner in ... Read More
Important Tax Filing Dates 2014 For Vancouver Businesses
As all Canadians settle back into work after the holiday season, we're all looking forward to fulfilling the new intentions and resolutions we have set forth for the 2014 year. However, it is important to note that although 2013 calendar year has closed, along with it the financial results of your business, many tax planning opportunities for 2013 remain open. 2013 tax filing requirements still remain to be completed for business owners and their tax advisors.
Here are some important tax ... Read More
Canadian Small Business Owners and CPP – What is the Deal?
For business owners in British Columbia, the trend of remunerating shareholders with dividends instead of salaries and/or management bonuses has been going on for years. The low corporate tax rate of 13.5% on the first $500,000 of corporate profits in conjunction with total CPP premiums of $4,712 on the first $51,100 of salary paid to each shareholder/manager created a strong tax planning argument to take dividends instead of salary. Currently, with discussion in Ottawa to further expand the ... Read More
