wrapping up the year

Tips to Wrap up the Year

December is a busy month for most of us; we have work and family functions, gift shopping, sending out holiday cards, and connecting with loved ones near and far. Added to this, for many small business owners, December 31st is year end. Add to your calendar some time to complete government paperwork and pay taxes,…

Are Office Parties Tax Deductible?

  It’s the start of the Christmas rush, and if you’re a business owner, you’ve probably already booked a room or a caterer for your office holiday party. But along with planning the date and the dress code, did you know you can plan your tax considerations, too? According to Canada Revenue Agency, social events…

Should you buy or lease a new vehicle?

Is It Best to Buy or Lease a Vehicle?

  Every autumn, automobile dealerships typically discount the present year’s new vehicles to make room for next year’s vehicles coming in fresh off the assembly line. One of the most common questions the staff at Canwest Accounting hear is, “Should I buy or lease a vehicle? What makes the most sense for my taxes?” “When asked…

education tax credits

The ABCs of Education Tax Credits

Back-to-school season not only means a lot of expenses, but also potential education tax credits depending on the situation. We often receive questions about what families can and cannot claim – and the answers sometimes surprise parents. Most students fall into one of these categories: Public school: Unfortunately, fees for supplies, field trips or extracurricular…

making donations for BC wildfire and other causes

The Ins and Outs of Making Donations

Wildfires have sparked evacuations of several B.C. communities this summer. With many people forced to leave their own homes, they’ve needed to rely on assistance from family, friends, strangers and charitable organizations like the Canadian Red Cross. While most people donate out of good will, there are also opportunities for making donations and using them…

cra-sign

2016 Personal Tax Checklist

It’s Personal Income Tax Time Again… At Canwest Accounting, we are happy to help you with your personal income tax returns.  That’s why we have created a “2016 Personal Tax Checklist” for you to fill in before you come to see us. Simply print out the checklist, fill in, then let us help you with…