Tax Talks

A series of workshops to help you tackle your taxes, with expert help

Taxes and tax preparation can be a minefield – and often you don’t know what you don’t know! Sunny Widerman’s series of surprisingly entertaining and information-packed Tax Talks will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on your taxes with confidence.

Man smiles while standing at his workshop desk

Should You Incorporate?

People attach a lot of meaning to the word ‘incorporation.’ Some think it’s necessary in order to run a business at all. Some think it lends legitimacy to a business, making it ‘real,’ instead of a hobby. Some just like the look of adding ‘Inc.’ to the end of their business name. And some do it to save tax.

While it can be many of those things, none of these interpretations touch what incorporation actually is. The nature of incorporation brings abilities, obligations, and complications that you need to know about before you can make an informed decision about when it’s time to incorporate. It’s easy to create a corporation. Running one is something else entirely.

Participants in this workshop will learn the basics of what incorporation is and isn’t, and what it can and can’t do for you. By the end of this session you should have clarity about whether incorporation is right for your business, right now.

Tax Bootcamp

This is the workshop that brings it all together: business deductions, filing deadlines, saving money for tax, GST/HST registration, and keeping the right records. It’s all about avoiding the pitfalls and keeping CRA happy with the least amount of stress and fuss. At the end of this session participants will be forearmed with everything they need to know to stay out of trouble and get back to the work they love, ASAP.

Man wearing glasses with his arms crossed smiles while standing in his office

GST/HST Basics

Every business owner or self-employed person in Canada is concerned with the GST/HST, and many of them find it so intimidating that they avoid it at all costs. And that can be dangerous, because the GST/HST is an area where CRA is actually stricter than they are with personal income tax. The good news is, GST/HST is actually a system with a very simple structure, which can be understood by anyone after this focussed session. Learn when and why to register for the GST/HST, the responsibilities that come with being a registrant, how to bill and how to remit. It’s not as bad as you think!

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Falling Behind on Your Taxes

A surprising number of people fall years behind on filing their income taxes. It’s surprising only because everyone who falls behind, thinks they’re the only one. All kinds of life disruptions, from divorce to depression to illness to natural disasters, can lead to that first missed return. From there, the problem just snowballs as each tax year becomes more daunting than the last.

But there is a way forward. This workshop focusses on getting a handle on the issue and examining possible gameplans and actions you can take. There’s no judgement here! It’s time to forgive yourself and get to work.

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Audit-Proofing Your Business

Tax audits. Is there anything more terrifying? The bad news is, audits are much, much more common for self-employed people and business owners than they are for salaried people with regular jobs. Moreover even the most conscientious person can be audited.

The good news is, it’s possible to come through one reasonably unscathed. The secret lies not in how you react to an audit, but to the decisions you make months or even years before you’re audited.

Participants in this eye-opening session will learn the simple yet powerful secrets to preparing for the possibility for audits, and coming through the other side with a smile.

Sunny Widerman Headshot

Sunny Widerman has been a tax preparer and advisor since 2002, with a growing clientele of freelancers, business owners and professionals. Through her firm Personal Tax Advisors, Sunny specializes in helping clients take control of their tax planning by explaining the tax issues that affect them. She focuses on a gentle, non-threatening approach to financial issues and clear, jargon free language.

Contact us today to discuss booking a Tax Workshop.

Hear from Other Past Participants

Love her enthusiasm! I enjoyed how knowledgeable she is, and funny… know[s] more than my accountant.

Anne P.

Excellent – friendly, accessible and non-intimidating. I’ve hesitated to consult a tax preparer in the past because I was afraid he or she wouldn’t “get” freelancers, but this presentation put me more at ease…[I loved] the jargon-free language and humour.

A.K. Walker

We should get you on TV! Not many personalities can be so entertaining about taxes. [I especially appreciated] your balance of expertise and humour. Excellent, lively and informative.

Marlene O.

Great! While the other speakers had great information, [she] outshone them with a sunny personality (no pun intended)…Heartfelt, frank, and funny.

Steven B.

Ready to learn more about your taxes?

Contact us to sign up for a tax workshop and get started today.