Gerald Hunt

About Gerald Hunt

After graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Gerald joined KPMG (Formerly Thorne Riddell) as a Computer Accounting Customer Service representative. In this position, Gerald installed accounting systems in over 200 different small to medium sized companies over a 6 year span. In 1989, Gerald left KPMG to continue to work with small business clients in his own corporation installing computer accounting systems. While in this role, he was engaged by the DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary to teach various courses. In time, Gerald moved up through the ranks of DeVry until he attained the position of Director of Finance for the Calgary Campus. He also acquired his Masters of Business Administration from City University of Seattle, Washington in 2001. Gerald’s career has always been focused on small business, accounting and education.

Door Prizes at Company Functions

In a 2013 Technical Interpretation, CRA was questioned about door prizes received by all attendees at a company social function.
CRA commented that their tax-free $500 gifts and awards policy would apply to all attendees including the employee, the employee’s spouse, and all other non-arm’s length individuals that received a gift.
It was suggested that gift cards […]

By |October 7th, 2013|SmallBiz Builder, Tax Tips|0 Comments

Stop International Tax Evasion Program

The 2013 Federal Budget introduced the concept that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will pay financial rewards to individuals who provide information on major international tax evasion. CRA could pay up to 15{7b1d1f20a894a4c63204ce17147762da143d82407cb3c58d1de0cbde1ab01a62} of federal tax collected if the reassessments are in excess of $100,000. Penalties, interest and provincial taxes will be excluded.
Persons requesting rewards will […]

By |October 1st, 2013|Tax Tips|0 Comments

Should You Incorporate Your Business?

If you own a business, you may have wondered if you should incorporate. Historically the income tax system in Canada has benefited incorporated Canadian small businesses. Although the income and deduction calculations are almost identical to an unincorporated business, the major differences are in the corporate taxation structure and tax planning opportunities. When developing the […]

By |September 4th, 2013|SmallBiz Builder, Tax Tips|0 Comments

Do You Have to File a Tax Return?

A tax return must be filed if:

You have to pay income taxes;
You have not repaid all amounts withdrawn from your RRSP under the Home Buyers Plan or the Life Long Learning Plan;
You have to pay CCP because your pensionable income exceeds $3,500;
You received working income tax benefit advance payments;

Other reasons to […]

By |August 1st, 2013|Tax Tips|0 Comments

CRA’s Priority

In a recent Federal Court of Appeal case, the Court found that the Crown has priority over secured creditors regarding deductions at source that were withheld but not remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
The property is deemed to be held in Trust. The secured creditor is obligated to remit to the Receiver General the […]

By |July 7th, 2013|SmallBiz Builder|0 Comments

The Canadian Home Office – What Is It?

In general, every business starts out of someone’s home. Even if the business will eventually grow to a multi-million dollar business, it has to start somewhere. The home office is usually one or two rooms in the home that are used for record keeping, storage and meetings. The office typically has a desk, a few […]

By |April 21st, 2013|SmallBiz Builder|0 Comments

Maintaining Automobile Expenses

One of the more common expenses claimed by taxpayers are automobile expenses (applies to any motor vehicle such as a van, bus, pickup truck, station wagon, SUV, or other truck). Many individuals use their automobile for work or business and incur personal expenses in doing so. It is important to note that only expenses of […]

By |April 9th, 2013|SmallBiz Builder|0 Comments

2013 Minimum Wage Changes

Several Provinces have increased or will increase their minimum wage rates in 2013. The list below details the wage rate changes taking effect in 2013.

Jurisdiction
Rate New/Current
Previous Rate
Effective Date

Alberta
$9.75
$9.40
Sept. 1, 2012

Manitoba
$10.25
$10.00
Oct. 1, 2012

New Brunswick
$10.00
$9.50
01-Apr-12

Newfoundland and Labrador
$10.00
___
01-Jul-10

Nova Scotia
$10.30
$10.15
01-Apr-13

Nova Scotia (inexperienced workers)
$9.80
$9.65
01-Apr-13

Ontario
$10.25

31-Mar-10

Ontario (students under 18 who work 28 hours or less/week)
$9.60

31-Mar-10

Ontario (serving alcohol on licensed property)
$8.90

31-Mar-10

Quebec
$9.90
$9.65
May 1 2012

Saskatchewan
$9.50
$9.25
Sept. […]

By |April 4th, 2013|Tax Tips|0 Comments

RESP Canada Learning Bond

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is part of the Canadian RESP program. Actually the CLB is a grant. The big difference between this grant and the regular RESP grants is that no contribution is required. Once you qualify, you apply, and you can receive up to $2,000 deposited in your RESP account per child. The […]

By |March 29th, 2013|SmallBiz Builder|0 Comments

Registered Educational Savings Plan (RESP)

A RESP is a savings plan for post-secondary education which allows funds to accumulate on a tax-deferred basis up to certain limits. There is no annual limit for contributions. For each beneficiary the lifetime limit on contributions is $50,000. Although there is no tax deduction, the interest and income earned within the plan is sheltered, […]

By |March 23rd, 2013|SmallBiz Builder|0 Comments