Posts by Jason Heath

The article “Tax Traps For The Self-Employed” was originally published on MoneySense on May 2, 2017. Know your employment status to avoid a surprise tax bill Q: I worked for my Dad’s lawn care sole proprietorship business as a summer student. His accountant said because I’m a student and wouldn’t be paying any income tax and…

The article “How Business Owners Should Time CPP And OAS” was originally published on MoneySense on April 25th, 2017. Deferring has extra benefits when you own a business Q: I retired recently, having just turned 65 years of age. I have not applied for CPP or OAS as yet because I had sufficient income in 2016…

The article “Everything You Can Do With Your RRSP At 71” was originally published on MoneySense on April 19th, 2017. If you still have time, you should consider withdrawals before 71 Q: I’m about to turn 71 and have RRSPs that have to be dealt with. Should I turn them into RIFs, an annuity, put them…

The article “Maximize Income Splitting – Years Before You Retire” was originally published on MoneySense on April 12, 2017. Plan for your golden years in your 30s. Here are tips. Q: I am 38 years old with $98,000 in my RRSP and I will have a defined benefit pension when I retire from my current employment.…

The article “Maximize OAS With A Corporation” was originally published on MoneySense on April 4, 2017. Gillian is facing major clawbacks. Here are solutions for her predicament Q: My name is Gillian and I have an incorporated company located in the Province of Alberta. I am 67 years old and still working and have an annual…

The article “Paying Tax On Rental Income While Living Outside Canada” was originally published on MoneySense on March 28th, 2017. Ed lives abroad and wonders if he should contribute to an RRSP to lower tax on his Canadian rental income. Q: I am a Canadian citizen and non-resident of Canada. I bought a home last year…

Just because you paid loads into a program doesn’t mean you’ll get EI benefits when you retire. Q: I’m a 75-year old male, working part-time and contributing to EI every 2 weeks; and have been for 10 years. I do have CPP and OAS income. Do I qualify to collect EI benefits for a period of…

The article “Are U.S. Stocks Overvalued?” was originally published on MoneySense on March 22, 2017. Rod is concerned about valuations on the S&P 500. Is a U.S. stock market crash imminent? Q: It is my understanding that the P/E ratio of the S&P 500 is hovering around 28. In the last 135 years, it had only…

The article “Collecting CPP And OAS While Living In The U.S.” was originally published on MoneySense on March 7, 2017. Brian wants to start collecting his CPP and OAS pensions while working in the U.S. Can he? And should he? Q: I am employed in the USA with a good income. I will be 67 in…

Wayne’s wife has no RRSP room, so he’s hoping she can use some of his. But there’s a better way. Q: I have lots of room in my RRSPs, but I am retired on a lower income. My wife still works and has no room in her RRSPs. Is there a way for her to use…

The article “What To Do With Unused RESP Money” was originally published on February 21, 2017 on MoneySense. Kevin has $54,000 in an RESP but his children have completed their educations. Now what? Q: My wife and I have a son aged 25 years old and a daughter age 27 years old who have both completed…