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- Brenda Bryant
Senior tax pro and community supporter
View Their Posts - Peter Coles
Tax research guru with 25 years of experience
View Their Posts - Cleo Hamel
Senior tax pro and national spokesperson
View Their Posts - Doug Morgan
Master tax pro and franchise owner
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May-11-2012
Working two jobs? Beware of the potential tax bite
Two jobs may help boost your income during the year, but if you haven’t completed your paperwork correctly you could end up owing when you file your tax return.
Apr-23-2012
How do I pay my tax bill?
Millions of Canadians will receive a tax refund but millions of taxpayers also owe money. So, what is the best way to pay your tax bill on time?
Apr-13-2012
Did you get your maximum tax refund?
As part of the Million Dollar Neighbourhood reality TV show, H&R Block tax professionals did free Second Look reviews on more than 300 tax returns in the community of Aldergrove, B.C. The results showed that almost one third of participants had made errors on previous tax returns.
Mar-21-2012
Owning U.S. property may mean tax implications on both sides of the border
Found a great deal in Florida? Buying a U.S. property may be tempting but before you sign the paperwork, make sure you understand your obligations to Uncle Sam.
Mar-12-2012
Do I really need to file a tax return?
Millions of Canadians will file a tax return by the April 30 deadline but there are thousands that choose to file later or not at all. Not filing can have implications on more than just your taxes.
Mar-12-2012
Determining your marital status
Your marital status is determined for the entire tax year on December 31. Make sure to claim it correctly or you may receive credits that you will then have to pay back.
Mar-09-2012
Who is a dependant?
Your kids may still live at home and eat all the groceries, but the Canada Revenue Agency may not consider them dependants for tax purposes.
Mar-07-2012
How do I claim my student credits?
University and college students need a T2202A Form from their school in order to claim their credits. But what is a T2202A?
Mar-05-2012
How do I claim my student credits?
University and college students need a T2202A Form from their school in order to claim their credits. But what is a T2202A?
Feb-27-2012
Thinking of making an RRSP contribution? You are not alone
The BMO Annual RRSP study showed that the majority of Canadians intend to contribute to their plan and deposit about the same or a little more this tax year. But market volatility is still a concern for more than two thirds of RRSP contributors.
Feb-22-2012
RRSP contributions: clearing up first-60-days confusing
Thousands of Canadians will make last-minute RRSP contributions to help with their 2011 tax return. But what happens if you don’t wish to claim all your contributions?
Feb-20-2012
What is my RRSP contribution limit?
Canadians thinking of contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) before the February 29 deadline need to make sure the deposit is within their contribution limit.
Feb-13-2012
NETFILE system opens today
The Canada Revenue Agency officially opens its electronic filing system at 8:30 am EST on Monday, February 13. If you are looking forward to filing your return, here is what you need to know about using NETFILE.
Feb-10-2012
There is a lot of paperwork for U.S. citizens in Canada. Here’s some help
There are thousands of U.S. citizens living in Canada who did not realize they have tax filing obligations with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you are behind, you need to collect the right paperwork and understand the Canada-U.S. tax treaty.
Feb-06-2012
Explaining the caregiver amount
One of the most commonly missed tax credits is the caregiver amount. If you are caring for a family member, you might be eligible to take advantage of this tax credit.
Feb-01-2012
Tax Free Savings Accounts still causing taxpayer confusion
Tax Free Savings Accounts (TSFA) may be a legal tax shelter but a recent survey by ING Direct shows Canadians are still trying to figure out the best way to use them.
Feb-01-2012
EcoENERGY grant program ends abruptly
New applications for the EcoENERGY Retrofit program are no longer being accepted as of January 29, 2012.
Jan-30-2012
What is the education amount?
Students ask us if they can claim food plans and residence fees on their tax returns. In most cases the answer is no, but the education amount is meant to help offset some living expenses like housing and food.
Jan-23-2012
Is there money hiding in your old tax returns?
Last August, H&R Block tax pros reviewed more than 300 tax returns in the town of Aldergrove, B.C., as part of the new reality TV show Million Dollar Neighbourhood. We found more than $50,000.
Jan-20-2012
What is an FBAR?
As more U.S. citizens in Canada catch up on their American tax obligations, they are finding out that filing a U.S. tax return may involve more than just one form. The Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) may not be due until June 30 but it is just as important as the 1040 Form to report income.
Jan-17-2012
Understanding the new Children’s Art Tax Credit
The tax rules remain largely unchanged for 2011, but one important addition for parents is the new Children’s Art Tax Credit. The credit gives a break for kids taking cultural, recreational and developmental programs, as well as artistic ones.
Jan-13-2012
Were you considered self-employed in 2011?
The needs of employers have changed in the last few years, with many looking for flexible staffing options. This often leaves people confused when it comes to how to file their tax returns.
Jan-11-2012
Students should claim the textbook tax credit
The Textbook Tax Credit is designed to help with some of the costs of attending school.
Jan-09-2012
Do you take transit? There is a tax credit for that
Taking transit regularly is good for the world and often delivers tax savings, but only specific passes qualify.
Jan-05-2012
How soon can I file my tax return?
Some people cannot wait to file their tax return, to feel proactive and efficient. If you are one of those people wanting to know when you can start filing, here are some tips.
Jan-01-2012
A year in review from a tax perspective
The end of the year provides an opportunity to reflect on the last 365 days. We are looking back at those major events and how they could impact your tax return.
Dec-20-2011
RRSP contributions up in 2010
Statistics Canada recently released Registered Retirement Saving Plan (RRSP) contribution numbers based on last year’s tax returns. The number of contributors didn’t change much but the contribution amount did increase.
Dec-16-2011
Single parents can get a break at tax time
Raising children on your own is always complicated, and tax time is certainly no exception. But while having primary custody creates more paperwork, some of that extra effort will pay off in the form of tax credits.
Dec-14-2011
Am I a U.S. citizen?
As the IRS searches for U.S. citizens living abroad, there may be some people in Canada who don’t even realize they are actually considered U.S. citizens.
Dec-12-2011
U.S. citizens in Canada may get a reprieve from the IRS
The U.S. ambassador to Canada made some remarks in early December that may give hope to U.S. citizens living in Canada who unknowingly failed to file U.S. tax returns. But the official word still needs to come from the IRS.
Dec-05-2011
Ontario plans to offer a Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit
The recent Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review may not have been the most positive report but the government is proposing a Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit for seniors. The credit would not be available until the 2012 tax season but expenses would qualify starting on October 1, 2011.
Dec-01-2011
Getting married can affect your Child Tax Benefit
For people receiving the Child Tax Benefit, changing your marital status from single to married or common-law will now mean the benefits will be recalculated before the end of the year.
Nov-21-2011
Beware of charity scams
The Canada Revenue Agency revoked another charity registration this week. The donors will now face the consequences.
Nov-09-2011
Donating to charity? Always ask for a receipt
Only one third of Canadians always ask for a tax receipt when they make a donation to a charity. This means two thirds of us may be missing out on tax credits.
Nov-07-2011
Holiday parties could result in a taxable benefit
Lavish holiday parties are a lot of fun, but if your employer spends too much money on the annual celebration you could be facing a tax bill.
Oct-03-2011
New Children’s Arts Credit offers another tax break for parents
Introduced in the last Federal Budget, the Children’s Arts Credit covers a wide range of activities and programs and is designed to promote cultural development or artistic skills.
Sep-28-2011
Missed the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative? You can still catch up with the IRS
U.S. citizens living in Canada are finding out the IRS expects them to file a 1040 tax form no matter where they live in the world or how long they have been out of the country. The voluntary disclosure initiative is now over but you can still catch up on your returns.
Sep-12-2011
Tax credit misunderstanding in B.C. explained
Last week, H&R Block offices on Vancouver Island experienced an influx of calls from clients wanting to file a T1 Adjustment. First Nations clients had been told to claim a credit on Line 479 so they could receive a $13,500 tax refund.
Sep-01-2011
Children’s Fitness Credit helps kids stay active
September usually means parents are signing their kids up to play sports, take lessons or keep active. The $500 Children’s Fitness Credit is meant to give parents a little credit for registering.
Aug-31-2011
Hurricane Irene brings some tax relief to lost U.S. citizens in Canada
The Internal Revenue Service has extended the deadline for its voluntary disclosure program to September 9 due to the impact of Hurricane Irene on the east coast.
Aug-23-2011
Did you overcontribute to your TFSA?
Nearly 6.7 million Canadians have a Tax Free Saving Account (TFSA), but the CRA is admitting that contribution rules are confusing and is offering flexibility to Canadians who accidentally over-contributed to their Tax Free Savings Accounts in 2010.
Jul-25-2011
It is back. The ecoENERGY Retrofit program
The popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program was re-introduced in the most recent federal budget with details to follow. Now the information is up and if you want to take advantage of this program, hurry because the deadline is March 31, 2012.
Jul-11-2011
U.S. citizens always have tax obligations
The U.S. tax system is based on citizenship, as well as residency. So if you are an American citizen living in Canada or any other part of the world, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expecting to hear from you once a year.
Jun-29-2011
Understanding childcare expenses
Childcare expenses can add up to major savings at tax time but you must meet the requirements or you cannot make the claim.
Jun-13-2011
Understanding your Notice of Assessment
You may want to file and forget it when it comes to your tax return, but the Notice of Assessment (NOA) summary you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency is an important piece of paper and being able to locate it after you open the envelope can be useful.
Jun-03-2011
How the postal strike may mess up your taxes
Canada Post is on strike and that will affect mailings from the Canada Revenue Agency. If you are anxiously awaiting a cheque from the CRA or your Notice of Assessment, you may have a wait awhile. But there are some options to consider.
May-13-2011
How to Get Your Refund Down to Size
A big refund is not something to be pleased about of if you could have prevented the money from being deducted from your pay cheque in the first place.
May-05-2011
The biggest tax mistakes made by recent graduates
Thousands of university and college students will be graduating this June and beginning their careers. The carry-forward tuition and education credits on their Notices of Assessment look tempting, leading many to make serious tax mistakes this year.
May-02-2011
Top 5 reasons for procrastinating on your tax return
Today is the deadline for filing your 2010 tax return. If you have waited until the last day, you are not the only one. Here are some popular excuses for not filing earlier.
Apr-28-2011
Didn’t file a 2009 return in Ontario? That could be a costly mistake
Qualifying Ontario residents who filed a 2009 tax return should have received the first two Ontario Sales Tax Transitional Benefit (OSTTB) payments in June and December 2010. If you didn’t file your 2009 tax return, you have until the tax deadline this year to catch up or lose the first two OSTTB payments.
Apr-27-2011
What if I can’t pay?
Even if you are facing a tax bill you can’t pay, there are steps you can take to make it easier to deal with the taxman.
Apr-26-2011
Only a few more days to procrastinate
This is the last week to prepare your tax return and there are thousands of Canadians who have yet to file. If you are one, at least you are not alone.
Apr-21-2011
How are you spending your tax refund?
According to a recent poll, nearly 60 per cent of Canadians have received or expect to receive a tax refund this year. The question is, how are you going to spend your refund?
Apr-20-2011
Filing as a separated couple for the first time
We answered many questions in 2010 about how to file after a relationship separation. If your marital status changed in 2010, filing your return will be a different experience.
Apr-19-2011
How to respond when the Canada Revenue Agency calls
For most Canadians, the only brown envelope they receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be their Notice of Assessment. But for those who receive a re-assessment notice, request for information or audit review, here are some tips for how to work with the CRA.
Apr-18-2011
U.S. deadline for filing taxes is today
Millions of Americans will be filing their taxes today to meet the April 18 deadline. Canadians still have two weeks to go.
Apr-15-2011
Can I claim fishing tournament expenses?
We have answered nearly 1,500 questions online this tax season and some have caused more discussion than others. Just when you think you have been asked every possible tax question, someone comes up with a new one.
Apr-13-2011
Canadians are not procrastinators
We recently asked Canadians to tell us about their tax filing habits. It turns out the majority of Canadians are responsible when it comes to filing tax returns before the last week of April. But 10 per cent of us wait until the last week, or even later, to file.
Apr-11-2011
Tax checklist for your receipts
Even if you have left your taxes until April, here is a handy checklist to make sure you have all the receipts and slips you need.
Apr-08-2011
The lighter side of tax deductions
Canadians have a very limited number of options when it comes to tax deductions, but here are a few that you may not have thought would result in a tax break.
Apr-07-2011
A friend told me that I could claim this
Tax advice can come from many sources but much of it may be inaccurate. Here are a few popular tax myths that some Canadians believe.
Apr-06-2011
Penalties for failing to report income can be severe
The consequences of not reporting all your income can be significant, even if the omission makes little difference to your tax owing.
Apr-04-2011
Filing a tax return delivers many benefits
As May 2 approaches, there will be thousands of Canadians who choose not to file a tax return. There are many excuses but filing a tax return is important for a number of reasons.
Mar-31-2011
Doing your taxes this weekend? Here’s some advice
If you are getting ready to sort through your slips and paperwork, here are some commonly asked questions from the Tax Advisory that might come in handy.
Mar-25-2011
Top 10 Excuses Why People Don’t File A Tax Return
With a nod to a certain Late Night show, here are some of the most popular excuses for not filing a tax return. But none of them will work on the Canada Revenue Agency.
Mar-24-2011
Understanding an unexpected tax bill
A letter from the Canada Revenue Agency is distressing but it is important to understand why you are being re-assessed. You may find out the re-assessment is not based on the correct information.
Mar-22-2011
Speculating on the Federal Budget
The Federal Budget is being introduced today but half the fun is trying to predict the details.
Mar-17-2011
Tax help for those caring for an aging relative
Health Canada estimates there are more than two million family or informal caregivers in Canada and those numbers are expected to increase as the population ages. If you are caring for an aging parent or relative, some tax credits may make things a little easier.
Mar-16-2011
First time homebuyers can get a little tax credit
Introduced in the 2009 budget, the First Time Homebuyers Credit provides some tax relief for people moving into their first home.
Mar-15-2011
The ins and outs of claiming non-resident dependants
Claiming non-resident dependants can result in complications and will require documentation to support your claim.
Mar-14-2011
Most employment expenses are not tax deductible
Almost everyone incurs job-related expenses but only a few are an allowable deduction at tax time.
Mar-11-2011
Looking for a tax deduction? Buy a cow
On Fridays, we like to take a little bit on the lighter side of taxes and the items people think they might be able to claim. But sadly, the tax man does not see things the same way.
Mar-08-2011
When will my slips come in?
T4 slips may have been due on February 28 but there are other pieces of paper needed to complete a tax return. Depending on your situation, you could be waiting until later in March before all your final slips arrive. It may be tempting to file early but you need to wait.
Feb-28-2011
Have your T4 slips arrived yet?
For many Canadians, it doesn’t feel like tax time until their T4 arrives. And the deadline for employers to issue them is February 28.
Feb-25-2011
Challenging a reassessment notice
You don’t always have to agree with the Canada Revenue Agency. A reassessment notice is not the final word.
Feb-24-2011
Error on a T4 Form can have an impact on your tax refund
Tax Advisory member Doug Northrup shares his experience on how incorrect T4s left his clients with higher tax bills. After requesting a CRA review, Doug had the T4s amended and secured refunds for his clients.
Feb-23-2011
Behind on your taxes? Here’s what to do
It is easy enough not to file a tax return, but catching up on filing can present a number of challenges. Figuring out where to start is the first step.
Feb-22-2011
Did you take money out of your RRSP in 2010?
If you withdrew money from your RRSP in 2010 for a little cash infusion, it is considered income. You may be facing some tax consequences when you file your return.
Feb-17-2011
Do I qualify for Instant Cash Back?
Every tax season, hundreds of thousands of Canadians choose to receive their tax refund right away. Instant Cash Back can be an attractive option if you need a little cash infusion quickly.
Feb-15-2011
Could you pass a quiz about taxes?
H&R Block Canada recently asked Canadians a few questions to test their tax knowledge, and more than 75% failed the quiz. No matter how you prepare your taxes, you need to understand what you are entitled to claim so you don’t miss out on credits or deductions.
Feb-14-2011
Electronic filing system opens today
For those Canadians who just can’t wait to file their returns, the Canada Revenue Agency’s NETFILE is now accepting returns.
Feb-09-2011
Help for low-income Canadians filing tax returns in B.C.
Even if you earned little to no income in 2010, it is still important to file a tax return because it could trigger credits and benefits. And for B.C. residents, there is an opportunity to file your tax return early, as participating H&R Block offices are offering free filing for people on provincial assistance for a limited time.
Feb-08-2011
Tax Time Can Be Rewarding for Students
University and college students are eligible to claim a number of credits, but they shouldn’t expect to receive a dollar-to-dollar refund of tuition fees. Being a student usually means a little extra money at tax time, but not a tax exemption.
Feb-04-2011
Recipients of German pensions may qualify for a foreign tax credit
You may be able to offset some or all of the German tax owing on your social security pension by claiming a foreign tax credit on your Canadian return.
Jan-26-2011
You had questions, we had answers
The Tax Advisory at H&R Block answered more than 2,000 questions online in 2010. There were some surprises, like the person who bought cows to help reduce their tax payable or the part-time trapper who had some interesting business expenses. We answered them all and we are getting ready to answer even more in 2011.
Jan-24-2011
