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Dandelion #HerbalMoments

https://practicalselfreliance.com/dandelion-mead/

 

"Dandelion mead is a bright floral honey wine that’s well worth the effort each spring. It’s a bit like old-fashioned dandelion wine, but with more body and character since honey always makes a better floral wine. "

 

Sounds like a potential drink to make later this spring, the way the temps have been rising early this yr, we may  have flowers soon. I see the tulips and daffodils are pushing through the earth and spreading their leaves.  - TLR

 

 

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The 4 Way Test

I came across the history of the Rotary 4 way test yesterday while doing some research on Rotary's Peace Development Leadership  and was able to read about it more fully this morning. It's a good interesting history, the struggle. The test is on our office walls, it's a good reminder of how we should do life. It's interesting how you do not always get all the background on something unless you know the history, do a little research. Guess that is what I just did. Had those words on my wall for years, recited them for years at our Rotary meetings, and I feel I embraced their meaning for my life. However reflecting deeper,  it's good to now know the history, in some small way it means more to me now. I see how my team could embrace this as well, an opportunity to share the Rotary test, as my mentor Jim Rohn often said, a clever short cut. 

 

Of the things we think say or do ...

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

May it be so. 

Tim Ross

 

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/11826/page/history-of-the-four-way-test

The Four-Way Test, was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. 

Story of the Four-Way Test By Herbert J. Taylor

Back in 1932, the Creditors of the Club Aluminum Company assigned me the task of saving the company from being closed out as a bankrupt organization. The company was a distributor of cookware and other household items. We found that the company owed its creditors over $400,000 more than its total assets. It was bankrupt but still alive.

At that time we borrowed $6,100 from a Chicago bank to give us a little cash on which to operate.

While we had a good product our competitors also had fine cookware with well advertised brand names. Our company also had some fine people working for it, but our competitors also had the same. Our competitors were naturally in much stronger financial condition than we were.

Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor

The Four-Way Test, created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (served as RI president, 1954-1955)

With tremendous obstacles and handicaps facing us we felt that we must develop in our organization something which our competitors would not have in equal amount. We decided that it should be the character, dependability and service mindedness of our personnel.

We determined, first, to be very careful in the selection of our personnel and, second, to help them become better men and women as they progressed with our company.

We believed that “In right there is might” and we determined to do our best to always be right. Our industry, as was true of scores of other industries, had a code of ethics but the code was long, almost impossible to memorize and therefore impractical. We felt that we needed a simple measuring stick of ethics which everyone in the company could quickly memorize. We also believed that the proposed test should not tell our people what they must do, but ask them questions which would make it possible for them to find out whether their proposed plans, policies, statements or actions were right or wrong.

Considerable time was spent in developing four short questions which now make up the Four-Way Test.  Here are the four questions:

  1. Is it the truth?
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I placed this little test under the glass top of my desk and determined to try it out for a few days before talking to anyone else in the company about it. I had a very discouraging experience. I almost threw it into the wastepaper basket the first day when I checked everything that passed over my desk with the first question, “Is it the truth?” I never realized before how far I often was from the truth and how many untruths appeared in our company’s literature, letters and advertising.

After about sixty days of faithful constant effort on my part to live up to the Four-Way Test I was thoroughly sold on its great worth and at the same time greatly humiliated, and at times discouraged, with my own performance as president of the company. I had, however, made sufficient progress in living up to the Four-Way Test to feel qualified to talk to some of my associates about it. I discussed: it with my four department heads. You may be interested in knowing the religious faith of these four men. One was a Roman Catholic, the second a Christian Scientist, the third an Orthodox Jew and the fourth a Presbyterian.

I asked each man whether or not there was anything in the Four Way Test which was contrary to the doctrines and ideals of his particular faith. They all four agreed that truth, justice, friendliness and helpfulness not only coincided with their religious ideals, but that if constantly applied in business they should result in greater success and progress. These four men agreed to use the Four Way Test in checking proposed plans, policies, statements and advertising of the company. Later, all employees were asked to memorize and use the Four-Way Test in their relations with others.

The checking of advertising copy against the Four-Way Test resulted in the elimination of statements the truth of which could not be proved. All superlatives such as the words better, best, greatest and finest disappeared from our advertisements. As a result, the public gradually placed more confidence in what we stated in our advertisements and bought more of our products.

The constant use of the Four-Way Test caused us to change our policies covering relations with competitors. We eliminated all adverse or detrimental comments on our competitors’ products from our advertisements and literature.

When we found an opportunity to speak well of our competitors we did so. Thus, we gained the confidence and friendship of our competitors.

The application of the Four-Way Test to our relations with our own personnel and that of our suppliers and customers helped us to win their friendship and good will. We have learned that the friendship and confidence of those with whom we associate is essential to permanent success in business.

Through over twenty years of sincere effort on the part of our personnel, we have been making steady progress toward reaching the ideals expressed in the Four-Way Test. We have been rewarded with a steady increase in sales, profits and earnings of our personnel. From a bankrupt condition in 1932 our company has paid its debts in full, has paid its stockholders over one million dollars in dividends and has a present value of over two million dollars. All of these rewards have come from a cash investment of only $6,100, the Four-Way Test and some good hard working people who have faith in God and high ideals.

Intangible dividends from the use of the Four-Way Test have been even greater than the financial ones. We have enjoyed a constant increase in the good will, friendship and confidence of our customers, our competitors and the public and what is even more valuable, a great improvement in the moral character of our own personnel.

We have found that you cannot constantly apply the Four-Way Test to all your relations with others eight hours each day in, business without getting into the habit of doing it in your home, social and community life. You thus become a better father, a better friend and a better citizen.”

 

 

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Medical Tax 2023

Table of 2023 kilometre rates for the province or territoryProvince or territoryCents/kilometre

Alberta53.0

British Columbia56.5

Manitoba54.5

New Brunswick57.5

Newfoundland and Labrador59.0

Northwest Territories70.5

Nova Scotia58.0

Nunavut67.5

Ontario59.0

Prince Edward Island56.0

Quebec57.5

Saskatchewan52.5

Yukon70.5

 

Meal expenses
If you choose the detailed method to calculate meal expenses, you must keep your receipts and claim the actual amount that you spent.

If you choose the simplified method, claim in Canadian or US funds a flat rate of $23 per meal, to a maximum of $69 per day (sales tax included) per person, without receipts. Although you do not need to keep detailed receipts for actual expenses if you choose to use this method, the CRA may still ask you to provide some documentation to support your claim.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-25500-northern-residents-deductions/meal-vehicle-rates-used-calculate-travel-expenses-2023.html

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Fatherhood nearing 60

Ya, that's me. 

 

It's awesome. 

 

So, I'm going to post some examples of other older fellas that have kids when they are older. A base to start some muses for later. 

 

My friend Darren, brought up

 

Al Pacino  https://people.com/parents/all-about-al-pacino-kids/

Al Pacino is officially a dad of four!

The 83-year-old actor welcomed a baby boy, Roman Pacino, with his girlfriend, Noor Alfallah, 29, in June 2023. The couple, who have been dating since April 2022, announced that they were expecting their first child together just weeks before their son's arrival.

Robert De Niro 

https://people.com/parents/all-about-robert-de-niro-kids/

Robert De Niro has six grown kids: Drena, Raphael, Julian, Aaron, Elliot and Helen. In April 2023, he welcomed his seventh child, Gia.

When asked about his six children, the Oscar winner corrected the interviewer and said: "Seven, actually."

"I just had a baby," he explained, though he didn't provide any further details about the little one. 

On the red carpet at the N.Y.C. premiere of his film About My Father, De Niro spoke to Extra about welcoming another child at the age of 79.

"I'm ok with it. I'm good with it," he said, adding that raising children "never gets easier" no matter what age you are.

 

Well, Benjamin David Lloyd Ross is my 6th child, born last year, his mom Megan is such a wonderfukl mom, wife, friend, I am a very blessed husband, father, grandfather, son, man.  Alex was my first son, born in 1990, his mom is Janet Heaslip, we met at Ag College. I have 4 girls from my 2nd marriage with Kim Quenneville. They are Lisa, Sara, Chelsie and Charly, they may be step daughters, they are my girls 100%.  There is 15 grand kids so far ( one is in heaven). #16 is on track for May 20th, could be a couple more in the works. 11 step sons, if my math is right. 

.. To Be continued, check out comments for more thoughts, articles to keep me functioning well, well into my 90's 

 

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Congratulations George Tackaberry !

 A wonderful choice for this award !

Tim

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Contact: Pam Robertson, Executive Director                                                February 16, 2024

Phone: (613) 342-6553 ext. 101                                                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Email: pjrobertson@brockvillechamber.com

 

BROCKVILLE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2024 LIFETIME BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT

 

The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Mr. George Tackaberry as recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Business Achievement Award. Previous recipients include Larry VanderBaaren, Joe Hudson, Paul Fournier, Hunter Grant, Gord Brown, David Beatty, Bob Runciman, Al Smith, Dave Sheridan, Don Green, Sherri Simzer, John & Steve Mazurek, and Dave Jones. 

 

This award is sponsored annually by the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. Recipients are chosen by an independent committee of judges following review and assessment of multiple criteria including community involvement, mentorship, economic impact, job creation, volunteerism, longevity, and personal/corporate generosity.

 

Mr. Tackaberry is a highly successful entrepreneur, widely respected philanthropist, and decades long community leader. Most prominently known as founder and President of G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Company Limited, Mr. Tackaberry has devoted himself to improving the lives of others through his professional and personal endeavors. 

 

Mr. Tackaberry launched the company in 1957 and it has grown from humble beginnings into a thriving enterprise providing fast, efficient, quality work for municipal, commercial, and residential clients. It operates dozens of sites throughout Eastern Ontario and employs 100 full-time plus 200 seasonal workers, many who have been with the company for several decades.

 

Through the years, G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction has donated to countless community groups, offering significant financial and in-kind contributions. Recently, the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville announced that the Maple View Landings Redevelopment Project in Athens will be named the G. Tackaberry and Family Home following a donation of $500,000 from Mr. Tackaberry and his family.

 

The Tackaberry family was also celebrated when the Brockville municipal airport was renamed the Brockville - 1000 Islands Regional Tackaberry Airport following the donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in materials, time, and money to extend the airport’s runway to 4500 feet in order to accommodate larger aircraft. 

 

Other examples of generosity from Mr. Tackaberry include major donations to Brockville General Hospital, Gord Brown Memorial Outdoor Rink, and Leeds & Grenville United Way.

 

The family is also very proud to support dozens of charities, service clubs, schools, parks, community gardens and youth athletic teams. Among these is the Athens Lions Club presentation of the annual Steam Exhibition. Company equipment and personnel are actively involved in preparing grounds and presenting displays. Additionally, the company frequently supplies floats and trucks for local parades and Mr. Tackaberry’s sizeable antique truck collection, one of the most prominent in the world, can be seen on display at events throughout the area.

 

Included among the many community, business and individual accolades received by Mr. Tackaberry are the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce Industry of the Year Award (2001), the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley Business of the Year Award (2001) and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville Bill Thake Memorial Community Development Award (2015). 

 

Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce President, Mr. Steve Latimer, expressed his appreciation by noting that “Mr. Tackaberry is widely known and universally respected throughout our entire region. We are very grateful for the generosity he and his family have shown to so many in need.” 

 

The 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation sponsors this award annually and is actively involved in the recipient selection process. Executive Director, Mr. Tom Russell, offered his congratulations. “Mr. Tackaberry has always been kind, generous and humble. He’s a true gentleman, and it’s a real privilege to honour him in this way. Few have done more for our community than George and his family.”

 

Mr. Tackaberry will be celebrated during a special ceremony following the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting at the Brockville Country Club on Wednesday, March 27th.

 

This year will also see the inaugural presentation of the Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award to recognize lifelong volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the community. Sponsors of this award are the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and the Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence Rideau. Details to follow in the coming week.

 

Those interested in attending can RSVP at the Chamber of Commerce website www.brockvillechamber.com or call 613-342-6553 by March 18th.

 

-30-

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce represents more than 300 members and has been the community's business advocate since 1906. Our mission is to support and enhance business to build a strong economic community through proactive leadership in advocacy and relevant programming. 

 

 
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Trusts & Tax Reporting moving forward

https://www.advotaxlaw.ca/post/a-basic-guide-on-bare-trusts-for-canadian-taxpayers

 

there is new  trust rules that are now law

lots of requirements and it may affect many people unawares 

this article is a good starter to help determine responsibility for reporting

 

we do trust returns , CRA has geared up the online reporting options 

 

Lots to think about 


As always please review comments below for more info gleaned for this topic

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Grape Benefits Yum Yum

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-grapes#TOC_TITLE_HDR_14

looks like grapes are a must for anyone's diet, they are in mine 

 

great article on the benefits of grapes

 

i am growing a few grapes at the ranch, I think I need to take it a bit more seriously 

 

Sources include: USDA
Amount Per1 cup (92 g)
 
Calories 62
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.3 g 0%
Saturated fat 0.1 g 0%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 1.8 mg 0%
Potassium 175.7 mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 16 g 5%
Dietary fiber 0.8 g 3%
Sugar 15 g  
Protein 0.6 g 1%
Vitamin C 6% Calcium 1%
Iron 1% Vitamin D 0%
Vitamin B6 5% Cobalamin 0%
Magnesium 1%    
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Foot Steps Toby Keith

“As Good As I Once Was”

that was his most popular song.

 I Found out today that he died at 62 a few days ago. Stomach Cancer


lots to think about in his interview, Faith, God, your foot steps 

https://youtu.be/KO_57iSfaJo?si=rRhMa1KCmLGfY_Qc

 

As always please check out  the comments below for more history that will be posting later as I find it. 


a few songs are posted down there

 

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TFSA Contest - Win $7000

When you win the $7000 , be sure and come and see me

 

You could win $7,000 to help fast-track your financial goals!

You could max out your TFSA.

A TFSA offers tax-free growth on investments, providing a flexible and versatile savings tool. The annual TFSA contribution room limit has been raised to $7,000 for 2024 which you could win!

Important dates:
Start date: February 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET
End date: March 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET

https://go.fidelity.ca/tfsa-contest.html?Marketing_ID=0033875&utm_source=mk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=fic-inv-brnd-tfsacontest-020524-conversion&utm_content=en-advisor

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Worldly Vacation Taxable Benefit Tax

Subject: A tax that Canadians might all support , except 1 or 2

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/omegastewardship_cdntax-taxes-howtaxeswork-activity-7159695964767678464-v15E?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

 

"Great resource .... New or Existing, this is a good little overview, taxes to feed the golden goose , yes the Goose eats to much, we all eat a little too much. If you are lucky, you might have friends that can take care of you on your vacation, this happens for the odd turkey in this country .... I wonder how much scratching would happen if larger gifts from friends was deemed a taxable benefit for say politically exposed persons , that might be a good idea. CRA could do a poll to see if that would be an acceptable tax to be implemented"

 

So ....

 

 Do a poll , have fun, Federal be a good place to start.  

 

A worldly vacation taxable gift benefit, issue a T4A , code WTF , and kicks in when the gift exceeds .... pick your number 

 

9000 a day 

1000 a day

500 a day

10 a day

 

Only Politically Exposed Persons and their Family being subject to the taxable benefit. 

 

Penalties for not issuing the T4A WTF , start at 5,000 for individuals and 50,000 for corporations. 

 

For those issuing a T4A WTF they receive a refundable tax credit equal to $500 . The gift giver should be rewarded for their influence petaling and to help with the filing cost. 

 

 

This is definitely an under utilized source of revenue for government to consider. A tax designed to encourage social responsibility amongst politically exposed persons and help generous patrons be recognized for their contributions.  I think Canadians would rally around this initiative and a whole new government bureaucracy could be created, more good paying jobs, I would put that department on a base salary plus commission! 

 

All the best with this opportunity. 

 

Cheers

Tim

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Napoleon Hill's Thought for the Day

Please check out the comment section for additional thoughts will be posted there. (FYI check out all our blog posting comment sections as that is where you will find additional information on the topic, reason, it's a quick place for me to post info as i find it, click, done, plus it typically makes a nice picture that many articles come with) 

 

 I also encourage you to register yourself and enjoy your own daily reminder direct from  NH , click here https://www.naphill.org/tftd-signup/

 

** Napoleon Hill's Thought for the Day:

------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

** Act on your own initiative, be prepared to assume full responsibility for your acts.

------------------------------------------------------------

 

One of the primary differences between those who achieve great things in their lives and those who manage only to "get by" is that successful people learned early in life that they were responsible for their own actions. No other person can make you successful or keep you from achieving your goals.

 

Taking the initiative means assuming a leadership role, a position that singles you out for praise – and for criticism. The good leader is one who shares the credit for success with others and assumes full responsibility for failures or temporary setbacks. When you accept responsibility for your actions, you gain the respect of others and are well on the way to creating your own future.

https://naphill.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c4529ce36ccec0645d107769&id=0a378ae3c3&e=687c10efc5

Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

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Sound Character

** Napoleon Hill's Thought for the Day: ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Sound character begins with keen ------------------------------------------------------------ ** self-respect. ------------------------------------------------------------ No one really knows for sure how we develop self-respect, but the experts believe it begins at a very early age. Parents who show their children that they love them unconditionally—just because they are who they are—build a foundation of health self-respect that will sustain the children for the rest of their lives. From this foundation comes the moral and ethical structure known as character. Healthy self-respect should not be confused with egotism. An egotist loves himself for the most superficial of reasons, while a self-respecting person takes pride in qualities of character that he or she has worked hard to develop. man running on sidewalk early morning Trust the process. Male sitting at desk with L.C. Smith typewriter ** From the Napoleon Hill Foundation® Archives

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International Holocaust Remembrance Day.Jan 27

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

 

In light of recent terrorist attacks aimed at Jews in Israel, it is critical that we remember the atrocities committed against the Jewish people during WWII.

 

PragerU has short, educational videos that teach the truth about the Holocaust and why we must remember it this day and every day.

What Was the Holocaust?

During WWII, the Nazi regime, headed by Adolf Hitler, set out to exterminate every living Jew. They murdered 6 million. Why did they do it? How did they do it? And why do so many young people know so little about it?

Joseph Alexander: I Survived the Holocaust but It Could Happen Again

Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander was a young man when the Nazis exterminated 6 million innocent Jews during World War II. He reminds us why young people today must learn about the horrors of the Holocaust and the events leading up to it. If we forget, how can we make sure these atrocities never happen again?

Ep. 267 — The Evil of Holocaust Denial

Why would anyone deny the single most documented genocide in history? Dennis responds to strong opposition he received from his column,  If Holocaust Deniers Don’t Go to Hell, There Is No God.

What Do People Know About the Holocaust?

What do Americans know about the Holocaust? Will Witt hit the streets to find out. 

Stand with Israel. Condemn Terrorism.

Shortly after the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, Israel was founded in 1948 as a Jewish state. In light of recent terrorist attacks aimed at Jews in Israel, we must voice our support for America’s closest ally in the Middle East.

 

On Saturday, October 7th, Hamas, a terrorist group backed by Iran, launched a brutal attack on Israeli civilians. They killed and ruined the lives of thousands of innocent Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Driven by hate and the goal of “wiping Israel off the map,” they raped, murdered, and tortured Jews while killing Arab citizens and using Palestinian civilians as human shields. As of now, more than 1,300 people have died—including dozens of Americans.

We must condemn Hamas and remind Americans that there is never a justification for terrorism.

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Big Sticks Against Corporate Owners

"Along with the new filing requirements, the CBCA updates increased the maximum fine for corporations for non-compliance to $100,000 from $5,000. In addition, individual officers, directors or shareholders could be liable for fines of up to $1 million and a maximum prison sentence of five years if they are convicted of an offence related to compliance failures."

 

We must read on , more disclosures for private companies, that is pretty every incorporated business that is not listed on the stock exchange. 

Looks on the surface the intent is to bludgen small business owners and create some more work for lawyers and burecarts. 

https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/industry-news/corporate-transparency-legislation-now-in-force/

 

 

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Working From Home - Tax

https://www.advisor.ca/tax/tax-news/more-employees-will-be-asking-companies-for-home-office-expense-tax-forms-this-year/

" Employers will be extra busy this tax-filing season providing eligible employees with completed tax forms they’ll need to deduct home office expenses on their 2023 returns.  

The temporary “flat rate” method, which allowed Canadians working from home due to Covid to claim up to $400 in employment expenses in 2020 and up to $500 in 2021 and 2022, is not available for 2023. That method did not require the employee to get a form from their employer. 

Employees who worked from home in 2023 and who are eligible to claim home office expenses will have only one option — the “detailed” method, which will require a completed Form T2200: Declaration of Conditions of Employment from their employer. 

 

 

Form T2200: Declaration of Conditions of Employment

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-22900-other-employment-expenses/work-space-home-expenses/frequently-asked-questions.html

 

https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/cra-arc/formspubs/pbg/t2200s/t2200s-fill-22e.pdf

Year 2023 form to be available near end of January 2024

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