Here at Bonaventure Personal Tax Advisors, we serve a lot of new clients who come to us having fallen several years behind on their income tax filing. It's some of the most deeply rewarding work we do, because we’re able to not only help with taxes (as always), but alleviate a lot of emotional [...]
Coming home from Mexico, where it was a balmy 27°C, to an overnight snowfall here in Canada was a bit of a shock to the system. Most people prefer life with as few shocks as possible—and I’m no different. That’s one of the reasons I’m a mostly conservative tax preparer. Here’s the thing: the CRA [...]
Q: Should I keep my GST/HST number even though I earn well below the $30,000 threshold? I registered for the GST/HST for self employment back when I was a full time performer. But have now I only do a few voice over gigs a year. I’m tired of the extra GST/HST filing, but I worry [...]
You may be feeling guilty or ashamed about filing late returns going back a few years, but there’s probably a good reason you fell behind. Why Do People File Late? It starts with the first one... Lots of people who normally stay on top of their taxes end up slipping one year because life throws [...]
Why It’s So Hard to Reach CRA—and How to Make the Most of Your Call If you’ve ever had to call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you know it’s not exactly a quick phone call. Between the endless hold music, long wait times, and the occasional click of a dropped call, it can feel like [...]
If you’ve received a garnishment notice from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Garnishment is one of the tools the CRA uses to collect unpaid tax debt. When it happens, the CRA contacts your employer and instructs them to withhold part of your paycheque to apply against [...]
Q: I began working as a freelancer last year. I've never filed my taxes as a self-employed person before, and when I went to [Big Tax Franchise*] they quoted me a minimum of $500 to file my taxes as a small business. Is this true? Why? A: The bad news is, your information from [...]
How to respond to a letter from CRA without losing your mind Getting a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can make your heart skip a beat—but before you go into panic mode, take a deep breath. The good news? It’s probably not as bad as you think. Here’s how to handle it calmly [...]
April 30 may have come and gone, but if you haven’t filed your income taxes there’s still hope. It’s always worthwhile to file as soon as possible, even if you’ve missed the magic date. Self-employed, freelance or sole proprietor? You may not actually be late! If you or your spouse have self-employment or freelance income, [...]
As we approach one of the biggest tax filing days of the year* and tension rises, it’s time to remind everyone of one important thing: Even if you can’t afford your tax bill, you really, really, really should file your tax return on time. Personal Tax Advisors: Next Level Tax Preparation Next Level Tax Preparation [...]
