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Changes to Income Tax Rules for 2017

by margento | March 10, 2017

Taxation Be aware of changes to the income tax rules that will affect your 2017 filing. For those already thinking about their 2017 income taxes, the following summarizes some of the changes from 2016. Tax Credits The child tax credit for arts and fitness is gone. Since this tax credit was capped at a maximum …

The High Cost of Low Interest Rates

by margento | March 9, 2017

MANAGEMENT Even when interest rates are at historic lows, interest costs can be significant for businesses and owner-managers. The Business The significant rise in the cost of equipment, vehicles, real estate, and inventory has prompted many businesses to increase business debt. Low interest rates, combined with the ability to obtain larger loans with extended payment …

Pricing Your Product or Service

by margento | March 2, 2017

MANAGEMENT Correct pricing can mean the difference between business success and failure. Setting the price point for your product or service is not simply the process of determining the cost of production then adding a mark-up. It is more a matter of understanding the price the consumer will accept as the value of your product …

The Heat Is On

by margento | March 1, 2017

TECHNOLOGY A review of your HVAC system may show you how to improve your bottom line by saving on the cost of energy. Because lighting, heating and cooling represent 19%-25% of the cost of operating a commercial business, control of energy costs is essential to improving profit margins. A reduction of even 10% in these …

Income Tax Filing Alert: Important Changes Beginning in 2016

by margento | February 8, 2017

TAXATION Be aware of the changes that affect your 2016 income tax filing and beyond. As you gather your 2016 tax data together for your CPA, take a few moments to read about the following changes and assess the impact they may have on you and your family’s filing for 2016 and after. Principal Residence …

Road Warriors

by margento | February 7, 2017

TECHNOLOGY Consider taking a few extra accessories when working offsite. Working while on the road, whether at nearby job sites or when travelling to distant locations, usually means taking a smartphone, laptop or tablet. The ability to work almost anywhere in the world is marvellous; however, when we are working at a hotel, jobsite, vendor …

Motivation

by margento | February 6, 2017

MANAGEMENT Being motivated and inspiring motivation are the keys to success. Motivation, according to Business dictionary.com is the “Internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continuously interested and committed to a job, role or subject or to make an effort to achieve a goal. Motivation results from the interaction …

Face to Face

by margento | February 5, 2017

MANAGEMENT Social media have their place, but do not forget to talk to each other face to face. Social media are reducing the number of face-to-face conversations. “In person” encounters allow a person to speak while another responds spontaneously without resorting to the more formal structure of the written word. Why do we seem to …

Available for Use

by margento | December 8, 2016

TAXATION Operating an automobile for business and personal use has tax consequences. Purchasing or leasing an automobile in the company name and allowing employees to drive the automobile has tax consequences that may require owner-managers to add a taxable benefit to the employee’s T4. CRA Definition of Automobile For there to be a taxable benefit, …

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…No…It’s 3D XPoint Technology

by margento | December 7, 2016

TECHNOLOGY The way you store your data is about to change. For the last 60 years, increasingly vast amounts of data have been stored primarily on magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). Hard drives are capable of storing a huge amount of information, but they are mechanical devices and can be more delicate and a lot …

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