Posts

Changes to Quebec Sales Tax rules put collection onus on digital service providers

If doing business in Quebec was already tricky for companies residing outside of La Belle Province, it’s now become even more complex thanks to important amendments to provincial tax legislation. Many organizations would be forgiven for missing changes to the Act Respecting the Quebec Sales Tax, which took effect on January 1, 2019. The amendments […]

Tax efficient ways to make a difference this holiday season

This is the most wonderful time of the year—not to mention the season of giving. That’s why many organizations and individuals are taking the opportunity to give back to their community or their favourite charities over the festive season. Recently, the trend is for organizations to involve their employees and create team events where everyone […]

Longevity crisis: Why entrepreneurs should act now to shore up retirement savings

It’s supposed to be the time of life when you enjoy the fruits of your entrepreneurial labour—taking the time to travel, enjoy hobbies, spend more time with the family—activities that were often impractical or outright impossible when you were working day and night to operate and grow your business. But a recent CIBC poll sheds […]

Federal economic update provides only modest relief for entrepreneurs

Ottawa’s war against small and medium-sized business owners seems to be over—at least for now. The trouble is the government’s peace offering does little to mitigate the greater threats facing entrepreneurs, from over-taxation and burdensome regulation to tax code complexity. Wednesday’s fall economic update made it clear that the Trudeau Liberals, with an election looming […]

Beijing’s tax crackdown has wide-ranging implications for Chinese-Canadians

China has embarked on a major reform of tax laws that could have sweeping implications for high-net-worth individuals inside the country, not to mention Chinese-Canadians and Chinese citizens who have investments in Canada. Perhaps the most high-profile example of the country’s efforts to close tax loopholes and boost tax revenue are the recent accusations lodged […]

Why business owners should think twice before shredding old tax records

There are a few questions that chartered accountants get asked all the time. They include (but are in no way limited to): What’s the key to growing a successful business? What’s the most tax-efficient way to draw profits from a corporation? Should I lease or buy my company car? What’s the minimum amount of time […]

You’ve been audited by CRA. Now what?

If there’s one letter that entrepreneurs dread receiving in the mail, it’s the one from the Canada Revenue Agency informing them that their business or personal returns are the subject of a tax audit. Audits can take weeks, months, even years to complete in extreme cases, and can be emotionally and financially draining for business […]

The major business challenges facing Ontario entrepreneurs in 2018

If there’s one truism for entrepreneurs, it’s that no two years are ever the same. Whether they’re focused on growing their business or managing the myriad number of challenges that can make it difficult to achieve success—think everything from satisfying client expectations to managing costly HR issues—owners of small and medium-sized businesses have no shortage […]

Morneau’s new ‘simplified’ income sprinkling rules not so simple, tax changes still poised to negatively impact certain SMEs

Shortly after the release of the report by the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, which is highly critical of the Department of Finance’s proposals on the taxation of private corporations, Finance Minister Bill Morneau released what he referred to as clarified rules around income sprinkling. Unfortunately, the release came with the same rhetoric used […]

An ongoing business debate: Should I buy or lease my vehicle?

In more than 30 years of practice as a Chartered Accountant, one of the most common two questions I’ve been asked by clients is whether they should buy or lease a car, and whether they should buy personally or under their company name. Inevitably my answer has been, “It all depends.”  How long do you […]