Tag: Taxes

The Daily EO: March 3rd, 2013

We picked up Grandpa and took him to the White Spot for Sunday lunch.  I love going to the White Spot – it reminds me of special days out with relatives when I would look forward to my chocolate coin from my pirate pack.   And of course – as Grandpa had won at the casino last week – he insisted on treating us.

Lunch was followed by a visit to his place to pick up his tax files – as I am doing his tax return again this year.   Grandpa is on an installment plan for taxes.  The government sends him a letter to tell him how much to pay 4 times a year.   My grandfather is fortunate and was able to earn a comfortable retirement.  This means that sometimes the government’s tax installment plan isn’t enough to cover his tax payable.  Last year, he had to pay.

I am not entirely sure, but I think that Grandpa still believes that this could be math error on my part.  But for 2012, he was determined not to have to pay taxes when it was time for me to file his tax return.  This resulted in him uping all of his tax installment payments (beyond what the government says he owes) and at the end of December, sending in an additional payment.

When I called to let him know that he is getting a refund this year, I could hear his glee.

March 3rd, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  My grandfather beat those bastards!  They are giving him a refund!

Of his own money, of course.

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The Daily EO: January 2nd, 2013

Yesterday, I did what I am sure all people rising on January 1st did – I checked to see if quicktaxweb.com had updated their website so I could start 2012 taxes and I transferred my 2013 allocation into my TFSA.   (It’s the most wonderful time of the year).

I did meet a hung-over bearded man in the elevator wearing last night’s clothes, a toque and a large booger on his mustache.  I am sure that he did his transfer by cell phone just after the clock struck midnight.

But today, I remembered what I forgot: the TFSA contribution room each year is indexed to 2009.

January 2nd, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  $500 more dollars in the old TFSA.   People, don’t forget!  Deposit today!  And organize your tax receipts!

The Daily EO: August 30th, 2012

In February this year, I was sitting in a Starbucks in Vancouver – in Yaletown, I believe – and having an emphatic discussion with my friend Gillian.  We were sitting at a bar side by side, and other patrons were sitting beside us.  All enjoying their overly complicated coffees with ridiculous names.  I was intently telling my friend that it was one of my favorite times of the year.  Not Spring Break, not Christmas, but it was time to sit down to my favorite puzzle and math problem: taxes.

As her eyes goggled out at me, she also made eye contact with the guy sitting behind me.  He had started snorting his coffee listening to my statement.  I do not think I could have created more of a stir if I had grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a noogie.  They both thought I was crazy.  Still do, I am sure.

But the fact remains, I enjoy doing my taxes – looking for legal deductions, grey areas, potential investment strategies.  2011 tax season really didn’t have too much activity except for an expensive move.  Part of this was paid for by Emile’s new employer, but it still resulted in a pretty lucrative deduction.  I smugly sent in our taxes and had our refund in our bank account by mid March – the delay strictly on the government’s end.

I listened with false sympathy to others complaining in April about needing to get their taxes done.   Really?  Do I have any understanding of this?  Do your taxes.  Keep your receipts organized, have a system, it’s just a puzzle that needs to be solved.

This year I made a mistake and forgot to put an exam fee on Emile’s taxes.  It was my pleasure to hunt down the needed information and submit it.  It allowed me to review the taxes again for the year.

Today as one of our last pieces of mail, Emile received a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency requesting significant documentation on our move.  Employer statements, accommodation receipts, statements of meal calculation, Lawyer Fees.

Such a brown envelope in the mail would cause normal people to sigh, complain and then wait to the end of the 30 day deadline to finally get to it – if not calling in to get an extension.  I – on the other hand – am itching to get started.

No, there something wrong with you people – not me.

August 30th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  Getting to do the taxes 3 times this year!