CDSPI’s Top Things to Get Done Before the End of the Year

If you’re a practice owner, you have a few more tasks to think about before closing the book on the current year.

• Get your finances in order – Pay off any outstanding bills and check to see what money is owing to you. Reconciling what’s left to come in and what’s still to come out will help you get organized for the year ahead.
• Run your final payroll – Be sure to remind your employees to submit any final expenses they may have incurred well before year-end.
• Payout year-end bonuses and commissions if your practice takes part in this style of compensation.
• Back up your data – While this is something you should be doing with some regularity, it’s a great habit to do a year-end back up of your financial and patient records.

It’s a great time to check-in with your Investment Planning Advisor at CDSPI*. A recap of the year and look at your financial position can help you gain clarity on where you stand, and determine what adjustments, if any, are needed to make the most of your investments. If you don’t have an advisor, call us for a complimentary review.

For 2019, the contribution deadline is December 31^st and the contribution limit is $6,000. If you don’t contribute, your eligible amount is added to your contribution room and can be carried forward indefinitely. The total contribution room for someone who has never contributed since the introduction of the TFSA in 2009, is $63,500.

While the contribution deadline is February 29, 2020, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead. After all, other financial obligations will crop up in the new year, especially as holiday bills start to roll in. For 2019, your contribution will be limited to 18% of your 2018 earned income, to a maximum of $26,500. Your contribution room is tracked by the CRA, so check your Notice of Assessment for your personal contribution limit.

If you’re saving for a child or grandchild’s post-secondary education, you have until December 31^st to contribute to their RESP for the current year. Not only is it a tax-deferred investment account, but the government will pay you the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), which is 20% on the first $2,500 you contribute annually, to a maximum of $500 per beneficiary per year. You can receive up to $7,200 in CESG per beneficiary up to age 18. There is a lifetime contribution maximum of $50,000 per child.

You have until December 31^st of the year you turn 71 to close out your RRSP. Call your advisor to help you transition your plan to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF).

Do you have a cause or charity that’s close to your heart? Make your charitable contribution by December 31^st to claim it as a deduction on this year’s tax return.

Being organized and aware when it comes to your end-of-year finances can help you start the new year off in great financial shape. Contact your Investment Planning Advisor at CDSPI to help you take care of any – or all – of these year-end to-do’s.