Contribute to Your RRSP

The most popular tax tool available to taxpayers is investing in a registered retirement saving plan (RRSP). Contributions to RRSP’s are tax-deductible and the income earned within the plan grows tax-deferred until retirement.

You can claim a contribution of up to 18% of 2008 earned income to a maximum of $21,000.  Earned income is defined as income from employment, from business, net rental income from real estate, CPP disability pension, certain types of royalty, and spousal or child support payments that are included in your income.

Piggy bank

The contribution limit may be subject to the year 2008 pension adjustment reversals. Pension adjustments reflect, in most cases, your employer’s contributions to a pension plan or actuarial commitments to such plans in the year 2008. The age limit for contributing to an RRSP is 71. The age limit for converting an RRSP to an annuity or RRIF is also 71.

Don’t over-contribute.

Karen Jerome & Team Awarded Performance Recognition Award in 2009

Karen Jerome and her team at Padgett Business Services in Kanata have once again received an award for outstanding service.   At a recent Canadian conference held for Padgett franchise owners, Karen was awarded several growth awards including Most Successful Business Owner in her peer group.  The award was presented to Karen by Brian Austin, CA Vice-Chairman of Padgett Business Services.

2009 Tax Seminar007 (Large)

“It is an honor to receive this award given the talent and exceptional level of talent within the largest accounting franchise in Canada” said Karen.  “Padgett was founded over 40 years ago to help small business owners succeed and I’m proud to be part of this exceptional group of talented professionals.”  Karen’s office includes Julia Longpre, Senior Accountant & Client Service Advisor as well as Wendy Cui, Accounting & Tax Specialist.

Padgett is a leading provider of financial reporting and tax consulting services to small business owners  throughout North America.  Each year, Padgett honors its top offices with growth & performance awards.

Since 1966, Padgett has provided financial reporting and tax consulting services to independent business owners throughout North America. The local operation is part of a network of over 400 independently owned and operated Padgett offices throughout North America.

The CRA revokes the charitable status of International Charity Association Network

Effective August 9, 2008, the CRA has revoked the charitable status of the International Charity Association (ICAN). For more information, read the press release by following:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/rlss/2008/m08/nr080811-eng.html

One Business Number for Ontario Tax Clients

Starting in July 2008, Ontario tax clients will be given one business number by the Ontario Ministry of Revenue. This will make it easier for clients to keep track of their tax account information.  For more information, click on the following link:

www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/rst/66.html

Common Deductions and Tax Credits for Students

The most common deductions that apply to students are moving expenses and child care expenses.

Moving Expenses
You can deduct moving expenses if you move to attend courses as a full-time student or if you moved to start a new job, including summer employment, or to start a business. Your new home must be at least 40 kilometres closer to the new school or place of work than the previous home. Moving expenses can only be deducted against awards, employment or self-employment income.

Child-Care Expenses
Parents who are full-time students, or single parents who study full-time, can deduct childcare expenses on their tax returns. Part-time students may qualify for partial deductions.

NON-REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS
The most common post-secondary nonrefundable tax credits that apply to students are interest paid on student loans and the tuition, education and textbook amounts.

Interest on Student Loans
To be eligible for the credit, interest must, in fact, have been paid. The interest must be on a loan made under the Canada Student Loans Act, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act or a law of the province, which governs the granting of financial assistance to students at the post-secondary level. Personal or family loans will not qualify. Credits that are not needed to offset income taxes are available for carry forward for up to five years. You can only claim interest you have not previously claimed and you cannot claim interest that relates to a judgment obtained after you failed to pay back a student loan.

Education, Tuition and Textbook Tax Credit
You can claim the education credit for each whole or partial month in which you were enrolled in a qualifying education program. Part time students can qualify at reduced rates. Disabled part-timers can receive the full credit. In addition to obtaining a tax credit for tuition fees paid, this tax credit also covers mandatory fees such as student services, library and lab charges, athletics, computer services, exams, certificates and diplomas. Post-secondary students can claim a textbook tax credit of $65 per month for full-time and $20 per month for part-time
studies.

Transferable Credits
The student has the option of also transferring this credit to a parent, spouse, common law partner or grandparent if it is not fully absorbed on
his or her income tax return. But if the student carries them forward, the transferability will be lost. The amount of education, tuition and textbook tax credits that can be transferred is limited to a maximum amount of$5,000 (or $850 in tax credits) per year.

CRA News Release: “Benefits for your family”

On July 18, 2008 the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) released a bulletin outlining some of the tax benefits available to individuals and families including the Canada Child  Tax Benefit (CCTB) and the Goods and Services/Harmonized Sales (GST/HST) credit.  To find out what benefits you and your family may be entitled to, click on the following link:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/rlss/2008/m07/nr080718-eng.html

CRA Tax Tip – T2 Filing Made Easy

Did you know…That you can file corporation income tax returns electronically from your desktop computer?  The benefits of using the Corporation Internet Filing service include receiving an immediate confirmation of receipt and faster processing and refunds.

Tax professionals such as Padgett Business Services use the CRA’s EFILE services to file eligible corporation income tax returns on behalf of their clients.  Many businesses also take advantage of the convenience of using their financial institution’s Internet or telephone banking service to pay tax balances owing.

For more information on filing a T2 return electronically, visit the CRA website at  www.cra.gc.ca/corporation-internet.

You can also view the status of a return and access the account balance and transactions, and other services for corporation income tax accounts online. For more information, visit www.cra.gc.ca/mybusinessaccount.

 

CRA Services At Your Finger Tips

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers many convenient and accessible service options including accessing forms & services via the Internet. Their electronic services provide tax-payers with easy-to-use tax filing options, step-by-step instructions, and self-serve convenience designed to make processing transactions with the CRA quick and easy.   Below is a list of the most popular sites:

1. Accessing the CRA’s secure online services

www.cra.gc.ca/access

2. Authorize a representative

www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount

3. Change of address

www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount

4.Charities

www.cra.gc.ca/charities

5. Child and family benefits calculator

www.cra.gc.ca/benefits-calculator

6. Common adjustments

www.cra.gc.ca/commonadjustments

7. EFILE

www.cra.gc.ca/efile-individuals

8. Electronic payments

www.cra.gc.ca/electronicpayments

9. Forms and publications

www.cra.gc.ca/forms

10. Important dates

www.cra.gc.ca/dates-ind

11. International and non-resident taxes

www.cra.gc.ca/international

12. My Account

www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount

13. NETFILE

www.netfile.gc.ca

14. Persons with disabilities

www.cra.gc.ca/disability

15. Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)

www.cra.gc.ca/rrsp

16. Review of your tax return by CRA

www.cra.gc.ca/reviews

17. Students

www.cra.gc.ca/students

18. Tax Information Phone Service (T.I.P.S.)

www.cra.gc.ca/tips

19. Tax services offices and tax centres

www.cra.gc.ca/tso

20. Tax treaties

www.cra.gc.ca/treaties

21. TELEFILE

www.cra.gc.ca/telefile

22. Travel expenses

www.cra.gc.ca/travelcosts

CRA Interest Rates for the Third Quarter 2008

The prescribed interest rates announced by CRA for the third quarter of 2008 are:

• For overdue taxes, CPP contributions, and EI premiums the rate is 7%.
• The rate paid by CRA for overpayments is 5%.
• The interest rate used to calculate taxable benefits for employees and shareholders from low-interest and interest-free loans is 3%.
• For GST, HST, and air travellers’ security charge the rate is 7% for overdue remittances and 5% for overpaid remittances.
• Overdue remittances for Excise Tax (non GST) and Excise Duty are 7%.
• Overpaid remittances for Excise Tax (non GST) and Excise Duty are 5%.
• Overdue remittances for Excise Duty (beer) are 5%.