Resources - useful and important information for you

Keep in touch with information related to bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, human resources, and networking. If you have information that you think would be of interest to our site visitors, please e-mail Maureen Burleson directly.

Allowable Motor Vehicle Expense Worksheet

Note: the taxpayer must be able to substantiate business mileage

2011- HANDY FINANCIAL PLANNING FACTS

Provided by

Carolyn Bogseth
Investment Advisor
RBC Dominion Securities
Email: carolyn.bogseth@rbc.com

Tel: 905-895-2290

Many thanks to PRO member Carolyn Bogseth for the above finanacial planning document. It was prepared for use by RBC Dominion Securities Inc.*, Royal Mutual Funds Inc., RBC Private Counsel Inc. and RBC DS Financial Services (Quebec) Inc., Member Companies under RBC Investments. The Member Companies, Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. In Quebec, financial planning services are provided by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. or RBC DS Financial Services (Quebec) Inc. and each is licensed as a financial services firm in that province. In the rest of Canada, financial planning services are available through RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Royal Mutual Funds Inc. or RBC Private Counsel Inc. Insurance products are only offered through RBC DS Financial Services Inc., RBC DS Financial Services (Ontario) Inc., RBC DS Financial Services (Quebec) Inc., subsidiaries of RBC Dominion Securities. *Member CIPF

The strategies, advice and technical content in this publication are provided for the general guidance and benefit of RBC clients, based on information that RBC believes to be accurate, but they cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. This document is not intended as nor does it constitute legal or tax advice. Readers should consult their own lawyer, accountant or other professional advisor when planning to implement a strategy. This will ensure that their own circumstances have been considered properly and that action is taken on the latest available information. Interest rates, market conditions, tax rules, and other investment factors are subject to change. Using borrowed money to finance the purchase of securities, including mutual fund securities, involves greater risk than a purchase using cash resources only. Should you borrow money to purchase securities, your responsibility to repay the loan as required by its terms remains the same even if the value of the securities purchased declines. Unless otherwise indicated, securities purchased from or through the Member Companies are not insured by a government deposit insurer, or guaranteed by Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada or The Royal Trust Company and may fluctuate in value. TM Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada, used under license. RBC Investments is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada, used under licence. © Royal Bank of Canada 2003.

Canadian Federation for Independent Business

For all small businesses who want a voice in changes that can affect them, click here.

Government of Canada

Your source for federal, provincial and territorial information and services such as business start-up, taxes, financing, and more is at your fingertips.

Government of Canada, Business Start Up Assistance

Here you can find useful tips and guidelines for Business Start Up.

The Bank of Canada

Find out about the Bank of Canada, exchange rates, currency conversion here.

Liability after death

Did you know as a legal representative of a deceased person you can be held liable for amounts the deceased person owes? Protect yourself by obtaining a clearance certificate from the Canada Revenue Agency before you distribute any property under your control. For more information, click here.

Keeping books and records

As a general rule, you must keep records and supporting documents, which are required to determine your tax obligations and entitlements, for a minimum of six years. To check on the CRA rules, visit this site.

The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board

Whether you are an employer or worker - go here for what you need to know.

Province of Ontario

Access information on Ontario publications, forms, statistics and other information specific to our province.

Computer safety tips

Here are some important tips to keep your computer safe from harm:

• Always use a firewall - WindowsTM comes with a firewall, and several well-known and trusted software companies have their own firewall integrated with their anti-virus and other software. If you must turn your firewall off to install specific software, make sure you turn it on again immediately after installation. Having a computer without an active firewall is like inviting the world into your living room to poke and pillage.
  
  
• Use trusted anti-virus software - and always keep it up-to-date. Some programs give you the option of auto updates, while others will nag you until you do it. Either way, do it - it only takes minutes and can prevent serious computer crashes and painful loss of information, not to mention major costs!
  
  
• Don't forget anti-spyware/anti-adware programs - spyware and adware run in the background, checking out what you are up to. They also slow down your computer's performance. Your can purchase reputable software on its own or packaged as part of overall protection software. Run regularly.
  
  
• Apply Windows^TM Updates as soon as they are available - Microsoft^TM releases free patches and updates as soon as they work out an issue, particularly in the area of computer security. Visit http://update.microsoft.com to check if there are any new updates that your computer needs.
  
  
• Back up, backup, backup - loss is tremendously costly. You can backup your files by CD, DVD, tape, external hard drives onsite or through an outside storage supplier. Test the backups to make sure they work.
  
  
• And, just for Montana Group customers, you can send an end-of-month backup of your QuickBooks^TM or Simply Accounting^TM files as an attachment to an e-mail to Maureen if you would like The Montana Group to store them off premises on your behalf. No password or version information is required and your information is completely confidential.

Guiding You & Your Finances          ©2011 The Montana Group. All rights reserved.
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Revised September 1, 2011