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EFILE system is currently closed for personal tax returns and will re-open on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) for the electronic filing of our clients 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 initial personal income tax and benefit returns and 2015, 2016 and 2017 amended T1 returns.
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Eastern Time
7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following services will still be available after January 19, 2018:
- Corporation Internet Filing for Corporation Income Tax (T2) returns.
- Electronic filing of Form T1013.
Note: You must use the current-year version of the tax software to electronically submit the 2016 form through the T1013 transmission web service until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018. When the T1013 web service re-opens at 8:30 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2018 it will only accept the 2017 version of this form.
www.thefinancialfairytales.com/blog/about/
A great blog on finances from the UK.
I found this resource when I was searching for the story about taxes and how taxes relates to the care and feeding of the golden goose and how that goose does perhaps eat too much. Jim Rohn spoke about it back 1993 when I first met him. The text is below and a link to the article that inspired the search of the memory bank. ~ TLR
Jim Rohn on Taxation – The Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs
July 31st, 2012 Posted
One of the original Financial Fairy Tales – The Goose That Lays The Golden Eggs tells the tale of a farmer with a steady and reliable stream of passive income. Sadly he gets greedy and ends up killing the source in the search for instant gratification.
In this article, one of my mentors Jim Rohn uses the Golden Goose story to discuss taxation. Here’s what he had to say:-
I realize that the topic of taxes may seem like a strange place to begin the discussion of creating wealth. And yet throughout our lives, whether young or old, we must learn the necessity of paying taxes. And as soon as they have any money at all, our children, too, must learn that when they spend money they immediately become consumers. And all consumers of goods and services, no matter how young, must pay taxes. Why?
Because we have all agreed to live as a society, and for that society to function properly, there are some things we cannot do for ourselves alone. For example, we cannot each build a piece of the street. The machinery would be too expensive, and it would take too long to learn how to use it. So we have a government. And a government is made up of people who do things for us that we cannot or do not want to do ourselves. Because the streets, the sidewalks, the police, and the fire department must all be paid for, we’ve agreed to add some money each time we buy something and give it to the government.
We then move on to federal taxes. Here is a good way to explain federal taxes. I call it “The Care and Feeding of the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs.” It’s so important to feed the goose-not to abuse the goose or tear off its wings-but to feed and care for it.
What’s that you say? The goose eats too much? That’s probably true. But then, don’t we all eat too much? If so, let not one appetite accuse another. If you step on the scales and you’re ten pounds too heavy, you’ve got to say, “Yes, the government and I are each about ten pounds too heavy. Looks like we both eat too much.” No question about it. Every appetite must be disciplined-yours, mine, and the government’s. Hey, we could all go on a diet!
My mentor, Mr. Shoaff, urged me early on to become a happy taxpayer. Now, I must admit it took a while, but I finally did become a happy taxpayer. Part of this transformation occurred when I began to understand the function of taxes and that it is right for everyone to pay his or her fair share.
I finally decided I didn’t mind picking up my share of the tab for defense. It’s so necessary for our safety as a country to keep the bullies away. Some people say, “Why bother with all that expensive equipment? They won’t come over here.” Obviously, those people haven’t been reading their history books.
Others say, “We’re not about to pick up the tab for defense.” Well then, I suggest they go to a place which doesn’t offer defense as part of the package. If one is going to enjoy the benefits, one should pay a share.
Now, let me add this: Don’t pay more than you should. By all means take advantage of the incentives. They were given to you as a reward for channeling your money into areas the government thinks helps the economy.
All I’m saying is that when everything has been computed, all legitimate deductions have been taken, and you reach that last line on your income tax form, whatever the amount, pay it. And pay with happiness, knowing that you’re feeding the goose that lays the golden eggs-the golden eggs of freedom, safety, justice, and free enterprise. Some goose! Some eggs.
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/ten-year-end-facts-canadians-need-to-know
And while here, check out the think tanks other thoughts, I am sure there is some gold nuggets in there !
Bonus ... Goose or Eggs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjF2SvzlOm0&list=PLhhVyaUmOQupT95UiO_74c0-wATcRxceV&index=15
1. Ditch the plastic
2. Watch your spending
"Be a smart shopper," Cuban tells CNBC Make It.
"You will quickly find that the greatest rate of return you will earn is on your own personal spending," he writes on his blog.
3. Put your money to work
All that money you didn't spend? "Once you have at least six months salary saved, put what you have saved to work, get it invested
Check out Kevin's video on coffee!
Now when I was at Quick Books Connect in Dec in Toronto, Bruce was one of our guest speakers, I was one of the last to get a picture with him and I was not on the list, now Bruce was a gentleman and waved me over, as the QB Team clicked for us, he said, I seen you in the front row while I was presenting and he thought to himself, there must be a story behind that beard, they don't grow overnight, I assured him there was and perhaps I would be able to share it with him someday. ~ TLR
https://www.playwrightsguild.ca/play/another-seasons-promise
I was reading a story in the Ontario Farmer this evening about Keith Roulson and his career and life events. I came across this part that spoke about the farm crisis in 1980 with the high interest rates and the impact that had on so many farmers and how they lost their farms because of this. Interest rates peaked at 23% and it was crippling , it was a painful, too painful at times. This kinda hit home as I was one of those farm kids that was effected by this. I don't know the full effect it actually had on my mental being, since I am reminded about it, I plan to reflect on this and let it touch me once again and grow and deal with any ill effects it had. In the mean time, I'm going to find out some more about this play and seek some peace in my heart regarding that time of my life and my parents life and my siblings lives. As the paper said, peole cae to watch the play as " they needed to unload this" .
Some other words of wisdom gleaned from the article.
Keith learned that people were more likely to support something that was community owned than an enterprise owned by n individual. He raised money for a new paper by selling shares to community members, many of his sales where considered simple donations for their community than an investment.
He understood what was good about rural life and he did what he could to protect it.
He was driven to maintain small papers and a rural voice in the face of a hostile world. ( remind me of the small Amish newsletter my dad subscribes to )
After 50 years he has stepped away from managing the magazine "The Rural Voice" , thinking I should check that one out, I do not currently get it.
City life did not appal to him, he missed being surrounded by nature.
A strong interest in farming and admiration for what farmers do.
www.northhuron.on.ca/rural-voice
www.northhuron.on.ca/subscriptions
The Field Behind The Plow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUM8mXJre1c&index=31&list=PLhhVyaUmOQuq-3ZjWsulDtaPt02fRFC0B
Stan Rogers – Field Behind The Plow Lyrics
Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight, dark rows
Feel the trickle in your clothes, blow the dust cake from your nose
Hear the tractor's steady roar, Oh you can't stop now
There's a quarter section more or less to go
And it figures that the rain keeps it's own sweet time
You can watch it come for miles, but you guess you've got a while
So ease the throttle out a hair, every rod's a gain
And there's victory in every quarter mile
Poor old Kuzyk down the road
The heartache, hail and hoppers brought him down
He gave it up and went to town
And Emmett Pierce the other day
Took a heart attack and died at forty two
You could see it coming on 'cause he worked as hard as you
In an hour, maybe more, you'll be wet clear through
The air is cooler now, pull you hat brim further down
And watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
And if the harvest's any good
The money just might cover all the loans
You've mortgaged all you own
Buy the kids a winter coat
Take the wife back east for Christmas if you can
All summer she hangs on when you're so tied to the land
For the good times come and go, but at least there's rain
So this won't be barren ground when September rolls around
So watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
Feel the trickle in your clothes, blow the dust cake from your nose
Hear the tractor's steady roar, Oh you can't stop now
There's a quarter section more or less to go
And it figures that the rain keeps it's own sweet time
You can watch it come for miles, but you guess you've got a while
So ease the throttle out a hair, every rod's a gain
And there's victory in every quarter mile
Poor old Kuzyk down the road
The heartache, hail and hoppers brought him down
He gave it up and went to town
And Emmett Pierce the other day
Took a heart attack and died at forty two
You could see it coming on 'cause he worked as hard as you
In an hour, maybe more, you'll be wet clear through
The air is cooler now, pull you hat brim further down
And watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
And if the harvest's any good
The money just might cover all the loans
You've mortgaged all you own
Buy the kids a winter coat
Take the wife back east for Christmas if you can
All summer she hangs on when you're so tied to the land
For the good times come and go, but at least there's rain
So this won't be barren ground when September rolls around
So watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
Kevin O'Leary love him or hate him, he has some great experiences and advice
Kids and Money thoughts
The dead bird under the tree is the one that never learned how to fly, so are you a dead bird or are you going to learn how to fly.
Thoughts on allowances, work for kids, learning lessons , equate the value of money to time worked , time and money are interlinked
I am reminded of my brother in law to be and what he has set up with his kids to earn money, it kinda neat and inspiring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsMydMDi3rI&t=1614s&list=PLhhVyaUmOQuq50o-4_KarYampD3LVx691&index=37
Frank Abagnle - Great Story & Advice
It's a long video, worth watching it all the way through, great personal advice and some real thoughtful advice relating to finance and security ~ TLR
Loblaw discovered that Canadians were overcharged for the cost of some packaged bread products in their stores and other grocery stores across Canada. In response, they are offering eligible customers a $25 Loblaw Card, which can be used to purchase items sold in our grocery stores across Canada.
Registration for the Loblaw Card Program will open on January 8, 2018. Please check back then.
In the meantime, you can also provide your email address to receive a notice once registration has opened.
I have registered all our team for this, I encourage others to get registered and when the account opens up, Loblaws will send you the details. For our firm that works out to $150 in cards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wseM6wWd74&list=PLhhVyaUmOQupT95UiO_74c0-wATcRxceV&index=13
Interesting video on how our cells stay young. Some great lessons to learn here in biology from the research in Pond Scum.
Health Span vs Disease Span ...
Do you have control over the length of your telomeres ? Chronic stress effects , seeing things in a new light, seeing into the lives of the real people, the effect on people who get worn down, the patterns.
The longer in a tough situation and the more you perceive your under stress the shorter your telomeres and the quicker your untimely death will occur. Interestingly you can change that through thought perception, so there is hope. Be resilient to stress, a day in, day out, challenge, so you can control how you age way down to your cell level by how you feel about it, good attitude results in better aging process. Improve attitude, it matters, negative thoughts creeps up cortisone and damages your telomeres , vs a challenge to tackle where the blood flows and it is good, bring it on and you do just fine.
You have power to change what is happening to your own telomeres. Factors outside our own skin, social , as early a childhood, all impact your telomeres and have a long term effect We are interconnected, we can impact our own and others.
What legacy will be have , will we invest in the next generation and what will that impact have on maybe the whole world ?
Are you curious, how will you make a difference?
Now you can protect your telomeres and how will you make sure the world invests in curiosity for the sake of the generations that come after us?
Good questions, now what are we going to do? For me, I am going to nip those negative thoughts with positive solutions. ~ TLR
Calculating Returns
Calculating the rate of return of any investment or endeavor has many aspects to it. If we look at the financial there is a lot of moving parts. The deposits, the withdrawals, the purchases, the sales, the dividends, the interest earned, the expenses, the fund company, the dealer, the operating costs, the trustee fees, the HST, the GST, the broker fees, and the timing, it never all happens at the same time, every transaction weighted, balanced, accounted for over time, short times, long times, various times, changes in fund codes, fund companies, mergers of one with another ….. how do you calculate it all ? Well, here are the main methods that are standardized in our industry, the best practices, for real true returns. Have fun with the figuring. ~ TLR
”It is only when you watch the dense mass of thousands of ants, crowded together around the Hill, blackening the ground, that you begin to see the whole beast, and now you observe it thinking, planning, calculating. It is an intelligence, a kind of live computer, with crawling bits for its wits.” ~ Lewis Thomas
# 1 GAIN/LOSS CALCULATION EXPLAINED
The gain/loss RoR calculation is a simple formula and is not time weighted.
GAIN/LOSS SINCE INCEPTION (NET INVESTED)
Gain/Loss Dollars = MVE – (MVB + Net Invested)
Gain/Loss Percent = Gain/Loss Dollars
MVB + (Net Invested)
Where:
MVE = end market value
MVB = beginning market value
Net Invested = cash flow coming into an account – cash flow going out of an account
Note: This rate of return is being calculated since inception; therefore the market value at the beginning is going to be zero. Please see Gain/Loss Since… for entering a beginning date.
Assuming an account has the following values, the account rate of return would be calculated as follows:
Step One: MVB = $0
MVE = $12 514.97
Net invested = $10 000.00
MVE- MVB- Net Invested
= $12 514.97- ($0 + $10 000)
=$2 514.97
Step Two: Gain/Loss Dollars
MVB + (Net Invested)
= $2514.97
$10 000
= 25.150% (The Gain/Loss return is 25.150%)
GAIN/LOSS SINCE … (NET INVESTED):
This formula uses the same calculation as above, except rather than the market value at the beginning being 0, it would use the market value from whichever day you entered in the “Since” date field available in the report option screen. This would calculate a rate of return based on a time frame rather than “Since Inception” of the account.
http://reward.vistaprint.com/go.axd?ref=BPU7ZK
I have had good experience with Vista Print, this link will get you a good discount and a referral fee back to us on our next order.
Thanks
Tim
Year-end planning for RRSPs and TFSAs (December 2017)
"Wolters Kluwer's insider tips for year end planning, worth reviewing the little details that might apply to you" ~ TLR
For most Canadians, registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) don’t become top of mind until near the end of February, as the annual contribution deadline approaches. When it comes to tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs), most Canadians are aware that there is no contribution deadline for such plans, so that contributions can be made at any time. Consequently, neither RRSPs nor TFSAs tend to be a priority when it comes to year-end tax planning.
Notwithstanding those facts, there are considerations which apply to both RRSPs and TFSAs in relation to the approach of the end of calendar year. Failing to take those considerations into account can mean the permanent loss of contribution room, a loss of flexibility when it comes to making withdrawals, or having to pay more tax than required when funds are withdrawn. Some of those considerations are outlined below.
When you need to make your RRSP contribution on or before December 31st
While most RRSP contributions, in order to be deducted on the return for 2017, can be made anytime up to and including March 1, 2018, there is one important exception to that rule.
Every Canadian who has an RRSP must collapse that plan by the end of the year in which he or she turns 71 years of age – usually by converting the RRSP into a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or by purchasing an annuity. An individual who turns 71 during the year is still entitled to make a final RRSP contribution for that year, assuming that he or she has sufficient contribution room. However, in such cases, the 60-day window for contributions after December 31st is not available. Any RRSP contribution to be made by a person who turns 71 during the year must be made by December 31st of that year.
Make spousal RRSP contributions before December 31
Under Canadian tax rules, a taxpayer can make a contribution to a registered retirement savings plans (RRSP) in his or her spouse’s name and claim the deduction for the contribution on his or her own return. When the funds are withdrawn by the spouse, the amounts are taxed as the spouse’s income, at a (presumably) lower tax rate. However, the benefit of having withdrawals taxed in the hands of the spouse is available only where the withdrawal takes place no sooner than the end of the second calendar year following the year in which the contribution is made. Therefore, where a contribution to a spousal RRSP is made in December of 2017, the contributor can claim a deduction for that contribution on his or her return for 2017. The spouse can then withdraw that amount as early as January 1, 2020 and have it taxed in his or her own hands. If the contribution isn’t made until January or February of 2018, the contributor can still claim a deduction for it on the 2017 tax return, but the amount won’t be eligible to be taxed in the spouse’s hands on withdrawal until January 1, 2021. It’s an especially important consideration for couples who are approaching retirement who may plan on withdrawing funds in the relatively new future. Even where that’s not the situation, making the contribution before the end of the calendar year will ensure maximum flexibility should an unanticipated withdrawal become necessary.
Accelerate any planned TFSA withdrawals into 2017
Each Canadian aged 18 and over can make an annual contribution to a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) – the maximum contribution for 2017 is $5,500. As well, where an amount previously contributed to a TFSA is withdrawn from the plan, that withdrawn amount can be re-contributed, but not until the year following the year of withdrawal.
Consequently, it makes sense, where a TFSA withdrawal is planned within the next few months, perhaps to pay for a winter vacation or to make an RRSP contribution, to make that withdrawal before the end of the calendar year. A taxpayer who withdraws funds from his or her TFSA before December 31st, 2017 will have the amount withdrawn added to his or her TFSA contribution limit for 2018, which means it can be re-contributed as early as January 1, 2018. If the same taxpayer waits until January of 2018 to make the withdrawal, he or she won’t be eligible to replace the funds withdrawn until 2019.
The information presented is only of a general nature, may omit many details and special rules, is current only as of its published date, and accordingly cannot be regarded as legal or tax advice. Please contact our office for more information on this subject and how it pertains to your specific tax or financial situation.
