Make your charitable donations count for the 2011 tax year
- Written by CRA
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Did you know...
... that any charitable donation you make to a registered charity before the end of December can be put towards your income tax return for 2011. Or you can combine this year's donation with any unclaimed official donation receipts from the past five previous years.
Important Facts
- The charitable donation tax credit is non-refundable and can be used to reduce your income tax for a tax year.
- Only registered charities and other qualified donees can issue receipts that can be used for income tax purposes. Confirm that an organization is registered by searching the CRA Charities Listings.
- Remember, whether you file on paper or online, keep your receipts and proof of payment in case you are contacted by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). ... Read More
Some Great Business Tips to Keep Your Business Expenditures Low and Profits High
- Written by Invoicera
- Hits: 2590
A business needs a robust system of operation to keep it through all the thick and thins that are sometimes unavoidable. For every business, it is important, especially during a recessionary time, to operate with some cost cutting measures. And if things are far away from recovery, it becomes imperative to have a safety shield to pull the business through tough times. In such a time, it is important to reduce cost, increase profits and promote the business effectively. Mentioned below are some great tips that can help you keep your business in business.
1. Seek Referrals
Referrals can prove to be a boon for your business. When it comes to buying, customers often go by words of mouth. Thus a business can not really ask for more if it has some other reputed business referring to it. Also, you can ask your customers for referrals and offer them various types of incentives in return. You can even start a promotion and provide referral cards to customers. Again, this is an effective strategy that does not even cost much. ... Read More
3 Business Lessons From The Godfather
- Written by Amex Open Forum
- Hits: 2440
The 1972 movie The Godfather is without question one of the best motion pictures ever produced. It was the top-grossing movie of that year, won multiple Academy Awards and launched a genre of movies that catapulted the theme of organized crime into the popular culture spotlight (for better or for worse). Before the movie, there was Mario Puzo’s novel of the same title, written in 1969. The creation of the novel and the movie represent some of the most unlikely rags-to-riches stories imaginable. No reasonable person could have thought that either one would actually make it through production. Despite all of the conditions against their chances of success, both the novel and the movie were extraordinary hits, with the former spending nearly a year and half on The New York Times best-seller list and the latter reaching No. 1 status around the world. So what can you learn from The Godfather? Here are some valuable lessons.
Yes, you can succeed even if you are doing it for the money ... Read More
10 Intriguing Business Books for Entrepreneurs to Read on Vacation
- Written by Entrepreneur
- Hits: 2630
As the year winds down, one thing isn't growing shorter -- my nightstand pile of noteworthy business books.
I receive mountains of them, and most become instant library donations. But the ones that intrigue me keep hanging around, mocking my lack of free time. Eventually, I get to read them.
I hoped to do a post about each of these, but given that soon it will be time to talk about the hot business books of 2012, I thought I'd present my list of the business books I considered "keepers" this year. This is a highly individual list -- several of these are by people I've met, so that may have influenced my thinking.
This is not a best-of or a ranking -- these are listed alphabetically: ... Read More
Employers: Expect Canada Pension Plan changes in January 2012
- Written by CRA
- Hits: 2479
Did you know...?
Changes to the way employers deduct Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions are coming into effect in January 2012.
Important facts for employers
- Starting January 1, 2012, you must deduct CPP contributions for all employees aged 60 to 65-even if the employee is receiving a CPP or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) retirement pension and did not contribute previously.
- You must also deduct CPP contributions for all employees who are 65 to 70 years of age unless they elect not to contribute to the CPP by giving you a signed and completed copy of Form CPT30, Election to Stop Contributing to the Canada Pension Plan, or Revocation of a Prior Election. They must also send the original to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Your employees cannot contribute to the CPP after the month in which they turn 70 years of age.... Read more