We are just a couple of weeks into the 2019 tax season and here are a few good news items for many taxpayers in Manitoba. The Refundable Tax Credits are higher than previous years and tax refunds are slightly more for almost all of our clients so far. Climate Action...
There is a small but determined number of people in Manitoba (including myself) who are interested in creating a natural cemetery. I have become more aware of and more interested in natural burial in the past few years. After being in charge of the burial of a friend...
There are a few things you can do before December 31st to save on your 2019 taxes, but don’t wait until the end of the month. Make your charitable donations before December 31 so you can use them on your 2019 tax return. You don’t have to claim them all in one year,...
This is my open letter to my family if I am placed in a Personal Care Home or a Nursing Home or a Long Term Care facility. If I am able to speak for myself, I will tell the health care professionals that my wish is to be comfortable and pain free, but you can take me...
Last Spring, the Manitoba government announced some changes to the property taxes, but there was no big announcement, so even someone like me who tries to stay on top of tax changes didn’t even catch it. Our property taxes are made up of two items. First is the...
As I write this article I am in Denmark visiting family. I do this every year or every other year. And when I'm here I often think about why the Nordic people (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) are so happy. Usually the five countries are in the top 10...
We will have two elections in the next few months: Provincially on Tuesday, September 10thand Federally on Monday, October 21st. You will be hearing lots of promises. Please challenge our local candidates on the financial promises. If they say they will cut a tax, ask...
It’s summer time and we need to enjoy every minute of it. So while you are enjoying some relaxing reading time in the shade or on a rainy day, add this article to your list of things to read and act on... soon… Everyone needs a Will. Period. Do I have to remind you?...
Even if this information may never apply to you personally, becoming separated may happen to someone you know or care about, so please keep reading! Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) only considers you separated after 90 days. It will only update its records after this time...
In Nova Scotia they recently passed legislation in the form of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act. Under the new legislation – the first of its’ kind in North America - everyone is a potential donor unless they opt out and will be automatically referred to...
Pharmacare is the drug benefit program for eligible Manitobans, regardless of disease or age, whose income is seriously affected by high prescription drug costs. Pharmacare coverage is based on both your total family income and the amount you pay for eligible...
There are not too many changes to the 2018 personal income taxes, but one main item that will affect all Manitoba taxpayers in a good way is the carbon tax rebate. The official name is the Climate Action Incentive. Everyone will receive this credit. It will either...
Buying RRSPs can be a bit more interesting: it can have more of an impact than just saving you some tax money this year. If you have children under age 18, you really should consider purchasing RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) before the March 2 deadline....
I have noticed in the past few years, Canada Revenue Agency has increased the number of tax returns they are asking for additional information to support claims for credits or deductions. It is possible CRA has increased its reviews and audits because there are more...
Get ready for your 2018 personal income tax filing by getting many of your tax papers ready now. Make a resolution to yourself that you will be ready to file your personal income taxes as soon as you have all the rest of your tax slips that are normally issued to you...
There are a few things you can do before December 31st to save on your 2018 taxes, but don't wait until the end of the month. Make your charitable donations before December 31 so you can use them on your 2018 tax return. You don't have to claim them all in one year,...
The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) scams continue. There was a recent raid and arrests in India at the end of October of one site that was making these scam calls to many Canadians. They exist and many others exist because they are successful at convincing some Canadians...
Manitoba’s minimum wage increased from $11.15 to $11.35 per hour effective October 1 2018. What if minimum wage was to increase to $15.00 per hour? I normally don’t provide too much of an opinion (publicly), but this is one issue I think I do need to debate. Ontario...
A special event is happening on Tuesday, October 9th in Winnipeg. And I hope you will join me for a special evening with Stephen Jenkinson. You have likely read my previous articles about the Death Café’s I host normally twice a month (more coming in September,...
I’m looking for a few good men and women who are interested in shopping for their own funeral (or just for some research). It would involve visiting three or more funeral homes to find out what the difference in costs may be. I’ve been wanting to do some comparison...
There has been a recent court case that has me thinking about and I encourage all of you to think about what is a Natural Death. The current court case I am referring to is the Winnipeg man that was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death. His sentence will...
There are deadlines in June that some individual tax payers may need to pay attention to. And some other optional forms with no deadlines that may apply to you or someone you care about. Snowbirds may need to file a US tax form, quarterly installments are due, the...
Last November, I met a Death Doula. His name is Gerald Fournier. Yes, I said “Death Doula”… so what is a Death Doula? You may have heard about a Birth Doula; a Birth Coach: someone that works with the expectant mother and supports her and the family before birth,...
Medical expenses can be used to help reduce your personal income taxes. Any medical expenses, (according to CRA’s list, which is extensive) that you pay all or part out-of-pocket, can be claimed as a non-refundable medical expense credit. Why is it called...