11 tax strategies

By Staff | March 13, 2013 | Last updated on September 15, 2023
2 min read
  • Employer Bonus:

    Are they receiving an employee bonus by December 31, 2012? If they expect to be in a lower tax bracket in 2013, they should defer it to reduce their taxes.

  • Moving within Canada:

    If your clients are moving within Canada, they should take into account the differing provincial tax rates across the country—they vary from 39%-to-50%. If relocating to a province with a lower tax rate, they should make the transition before year-end.

    Read: 15 tax credits to help clients save

  • Quarterly payments to CRA:

    If they make quarterly tax instalment payments to the CRA, they need to make any final payments by December 15, 2012 to avoid late interest charges.

  • Fees:

    Pay all outstanding fees by the end of the year to ensure they count toward your 2013 tax return. This can include: investment management fees; tuition fees; safe deposit box fees; accounting and legal fees; childcare expenses; alimony; medical expenses; and any business expenses.

  • Advisor.ca staff

    Staff

    The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.

  • Charitable donation:

    Making a charitable donation reduces personal taxes paid each year. If clients plan on donating securities in-kind before year-end, though, start the process well in advance of year-end due to the administration involved in processing the donation.

  • Employer Bonus:

    Are they receiving an employee bonus by December 31, 2012? If they expect to be in a lower tax bracket in 2013, they should defer it to reduce their taxes.

  • Moving within Canada:

    If your clients are moving within Canada, they should take into account the differing provincial tax rates across the country—they vary from 39%-to-50%. If relocating to a province with a lower tax rate, they should make the transition before year-end.

    Read: 15 tax credits to help clients save

  • Quarterly payments to CRA:

    If they make quarterly tax instalment payments to the CRA, they need to make any final payments by December 15, 2012 to avoid late interest charges.

  • Fees:

    Pay all outstanding fees by the end of the year to ensure they count toward your 2013 tax return. This can include: investment management fees; tuition fees; safe deposit box fees; accounting and legal fees; childcare expenses; alimony; medical expenses; and any business expenses.