News release

Take advantage of the Home Renovation Tax Credit

Ottawa, Ontario, January 7, 2010

Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, and Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services today encouraged Canadians to take advantage of the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC). Minister Ambrose and Minister Paradis spoke today at separate events on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and Food).

"A key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan (EAP), the HRTC provides powerful incentives for Canadians to invest in their homes, supporting employment in the construction and home-building industry, while realizing a significant tax savings of up to $1,350," said Minister Ambrose in Edmonton, Alberta at a Home Depot outlet. "Our Government strongly encourages all Canadians to take advantage of this opportunity over the next three weeks."

Canadians undertaking eligible renovations to their homes before February 1 will receive up to $1,350 in tax relief from the temporary HRTC. Approximately 4.6 million families in Canada are expected to take advantage of the credit, supporting jobs in the housing industry.

"Canadians are clamouring for information about the HRTC. The Canada Revenue Agency has had approximately 3.5 million enquiries and website visits related to the HRTC alone," said Minister Paradis in Gatineau, Québec at a Rona outlet. "The interest in the credit, with the tax relief it provides, shows its positive impact on renovation activity, which promotes job creation in construction and trades."

In the face of the deepest worldwide recession since the Second World War, the Government introduced the EAP, including one of the most comprehensive stimulus packages in the industrialized world. The Government's priority will be rapid and effective implementation of Phase II of the EAP, which includes restoring a balanced budget once the economy is fully recovered and building a strong foundation for our economic future.

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For more information about the Home Renovation Tax Credit and how to claim it, go to actionplan.gc.ca or www.cra.gc.ca/hrtc

IPBC's Topics and Tips Newsletter 'Dear TaxDetective®' is a monthly column that answers burning questions about accounting and tax. Remember Dear Ann? Well now's your chance-- ask Dear TaxDetective a tough question. Send your questions to info@ipbc.ca

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Dear TaxDetective®

Copyright 2010 Eileen Reppenhagen

Dear TaxDetective:

I'm pretty sure I saw something in the 2009 federal Budget about a new 100% write down on computers for 2009 to 2011 but I can't find any information about this on the CRA website, nor can I find it in the legislation passed in 2009. I do see Class 52 in Schedule II in the PITA published by Carswell, but not on their website.

Tax Detective

Did you know that changes to IT Regulations can be passed by Order-in-Council and posted in the Gazette, rather than passed by Parliament? That's why it's easier to change a regulation than it is to change the Income Tax Act.

Find the CCA changes proposed in the 2009 budget posted in the Canada Gazette:

Original regulations Capital Cost Allowance - 2009 Budget Measure

Regulations amending original Capital Cost Allowance - 2009 Budget Measure

You did see something in the federal Budget 2009, here's the Quick Index. I can't find the passage in either Bill C-10 in March 2009 or Bill C-51 from December 2009, and both received Royal Assent.

CRA didn't include this information with info on Budget 2009. I learned today more information will be provided on February 2nd. In the meantime, look for Class 52 under What's New in T4002 Business and Professional Income 2009

Link to press release on progress of tax relief June 16, 2009

This temporary 100% capital cost allowance for computers is expected to trigger purchases for business use estimated at $340 Million for 2009-10 and $355 Million for 2010-11.

Brief history of computer hardware CCA classes over 25 years:

1984 to 1993: Class 10 at 30%

1993 to end of 2004: Class 10 at 30% - separate pool by election

March 22, 2004: Class 45 at 45%

March 18, 2007: Class 50 at 55%

January 27, 2009 to February 1, 2011: Class 52 at 100%, no half year rule, no transfer in on change of use from personal

Note: Revert to Class 50 where Class 52 doesn't apply for change of use

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This column is written by Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA, Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and Honorary Member, IPBC

Do you have a question about tax? Send Eileen your question for a future column via info@ipbc.ca

Visit her website at www.tax detective.ca

IPBC Members,

We are pleased to be able to offer all IPBC members a 10% discount on the early bird and regular delegate fee for this upcoming conference.

To register click here, and use the special promotion code "SaveTen".

Date: February 9-10, 2010

Location:

Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada

On-Line Registration: http://www.rebootconference.com/privacy2010

The government of British Columbia and the office of the CIO are delighted to announce the following speakers have been confirmed for this year's international Privacy and Security conference:

· Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada

· Mozelle Thompson, Independent Advisor, Facebook, and former Commissioner to the US Federal Trade Commission

· Patrick Gray, Senior Security Advisor, Cisco, and former FBI agent

· Jules Polonetsky, Co-Chair and Director, Future of Privacy Forum, former CPO for AOL

· Frank Work, Information and Privacy Commissioner for Alberta

· Michael Calce "Mafiaboy" and Craig Silverman, Author of "Mafiaboy"

· Scott Shipman, Senior Counsel, Global Privacy Practices, eBAY

· David Loukidelis, Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia

· Ira Winkler, President Internet Security Advisors Group and Author of "Spies Among Us", "Corporate Espionage" and "Through the Eyes of the Enemy"

· Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner for Ontario and Author of "The Privacy Payoff"

· Dave Nikolejsin, CIO, Government of British Columbia

· Fred Cate, Distinguished Professor and C. Ben Dutton, Professor of Law Director, Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research, Indiana University and Senior Policy Advisor, Centre for Information Policy Leadership, Hunton & Williams LLP

· Art Gilliland, Vice President of Product Management, Symantec

· Daniel Solove, Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School and Author of "Understanding Privacy" and "The Digital Person: Technology and Privacy in the Information Age"

· Mohammad Akif, National Security and Privacy Lead, Microsoft Canada

· Bill Blair, Chief of Toronto Police Service and President, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

Register before the early bird deadline and enjoy 2009 rates! Just $400 for public service employees, including the Broader Public Sector and $600 for the Private Sector.

CPE Credits

A reminder that this conference qualifies for CPE credits for most professional associations (e.g.. IAPP, (ISC)2, CAPAPA and ISACA)

For full conference information, agenda, and registration, please visit the web site at: http://www.rebootconference.com/privacy2010

We invite you to pass this announcement along to interested colleagues, and look forward to seeing you in Victoria this February.

Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) members can benefit from preferred group rates for residential insurance

We are pleased to advise you that the IPBC has endorsed a Personal Group Residential Insurance Program for their members. This new program, administered by Marsh's Private Client Services, can provide group discounted insurance rates for you and your staff.

As an important feature of the IPBC program, coverage for your home-based accounting business is included if:

· Your receipts are under $200,000;

· Your business is operated by up to two employees; and

· Your business is limited to Canadian only exposure.

Additionally, your residential policy provides coverage for up to:

· $50,000 of business property on premises;

· $10,000 accounts receivable;

· $10,000 valuable papers;

· $10,000 business interruption, gross receipts form; and

· $10,000 advertising injury.

This new insurance program will complement other programs currently available through the IPBC including:

· Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance; and

· Office package insurance covering office contents, commercial general liability, accounts receivable, extra expense, valuable papers, etc.

Monthly payment options are also available with no service fees!

Everyone benefits from supporting the association's programs, and we are sincerely pleased to extend this offering to you and your staff. The program has been endorsed for its preferred group rates, quality of service, and easy access to professional advisors.

Please call Marsh's Private Client Services at 1 877 476 6727 or visit us online at www.marsh.ca/ipbc for a no-obligation quote.

You could save so much money, that you may want to rewrite your insurance policy today!

If you are not already a member, joining the IPBC today will provide you access to this great benefit offering.

We look forward to serving you as a member.

Watch the newsletter for an exciting new member benefit to be announced within the next 4 weeks.

Have you always wanted to have a professional email address?

LEAP (Language Education for Accounting Professionals) specializes in providing accounting-specific business English language training for professionals working in Canada.

LEAP's courses are designed to meet the highest priority language needs of the accounting industry and to assist professionals achieve communication success at work. We offer in-house/on-site training as well as evening and weekend classes. As of December 2009, our courses will be available on-line.

Visit our website for course information, fees, and start dates.

www.leapesl.ca

Wednesday January 20th, 2010 at 11:30 am PT

"Understanding Social Media"

This Idea Session focuses on understanding social media, what it is, and how it's connecting people. A focus will be given to understanding what opportunities exist for small business owners to leverage social media for business growth and prospecting.

Topics covered include privacy and control; social media pit falls and super stars; and first steps to social media success. Some tools discussed will be Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, and creating social bookmarks.

Time: 11:30am PT - 12:30pm PT

Cost: The meeting is free; toll charges to access the call will be your responsibility or, you may use a VOIP connection.

Topic: Understanding Social Media

Presenter: Jess Sloss, Communications Strategist at Giant Ant Media and Editor of SocialSquared.com, a daily opinion blog on Business and the Social Web.

SPEAKER BIO:

Jess has had a varied career with a strong theme of entrepreneurship running through it. He started his first company (Cutters Lawn Care) at age 19, eventually selling it 5 years later. His start-up experience includes time in the Architectural Visualization industry and workplace training simulations sector with Vancouver based Real Space 3D. He's currently working on the soon to be launched Farm Digital, a Social Media Support Services division of Giant Ant Media.

Jess speaks regularly to small and medium sized businesses about the shifting media landscape and the opportunity that Social Media has for organizations everywhere.

Holding a Communications degree with minor in Organizational Development from Capilano University, Jess help's Giant Ant Media's diverse group of clients best take advantage of communications opportunities online.

About Giant Ant Media

Giant Ant Media is a Vancouver based creative studio specializing in Video Production and Social Media Strategies. Servicing an amazing group of clients that includes Cossette Communications, Mountain Equipment Co Op, and Timberland's Earth Keeper Heroes, Giant Ant is uniquely positioned to help organizations engage an audience online.

To make a reservation for this event, please click on the link

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/804864914

The connection details will be emailed to you automatically.

Join us for a special 2 hour webinar on Wednesday February 3rd, 2010 at 11:30am PT

"HST Implementation for Ontario & British Columbia"

Garth is a tutorial leader and instructor for the CICA's In-Depth GST Course as well as an instructor for the ICAO's annual Professional Development program. Garth has also presented several papers at the CICA's annual Commodity Tax Symposium.

To make a reservation for this event, please click on the link

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/812556810

The connection details will be emailed to you automatically.

Wednesday February 17th, 2010 at 11:30am PT

Replace Your Clients' Paper Cheques with Electronic Payments using TelPay

Presenter: Marilyn Benninger, CGA Vice President, Business Services, TelPay Incorporated

TelPay is Canada's largest independent processor of bill payments in Canada, celebrating 25 years of innovation and leadership in the electronic payments. Based in Winnipeg, TelPay is responsible for over 21 Million electronic payments worth more than 12 Billion dollars annually. TelPay's focus is to save time and money for businesses of all sizes and industries.

To make a reservation for this event, please click on the link

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/161252251

The connection details will be emailed to you automatically.

April 21st- Brand Me! presented by Matthew Peterson of Accounting Cycle

From The Executive Director's Desk

Imagine networking with some of the top bookkeepers in the country. Imagine the chance to be on the fast track to a more lucrative practice . . . to being a certified professional bookkeeper (CPB) . . . and to receiving greater professional recognition inside and outside of this network. Regional Meetings are a vital part of that formula for success.

They're a unique chance to combine learning - a guest speaker shares expertise that's sure to make your work a bit easier - with fun and powerful networking. Every meeting is free to attend.

TORONTO EAST, ON

Date: Monday January 18th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 9PM (meetings start & end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Apple Jack's

5328 Hwy 7 (at McCowan), Markham, ON

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage: Fajita Buffet for $20.00 plus tax and gratuity includes the following: Nachos, House, and Caesar Salad; Chicken and Steak Fajitas; Selection of cake; Coffee or Tea

Regional Developer: Susan Hopcroft, CPB

Presenter: Myron Simon, Bank of Montreal

Topic: How to Secure Small Business Financing

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC.

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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WINNIPEG, MB

Date: Monday January 18th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Smitty's Restaurant (Polo Park)

1017 St James Street (Corner of Ellice and St. James), Winnipeg, MB

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Charlene Hiebert, CPB

Presenter: Hayley Hodgeson of Lazer Grant

Topic: How to market your practice and increase revenues

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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CALGARY, AB

Date: Wednesday January 20th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start & end precisely on schedule)

Location:

ABC Country Restaurant

11520-24 Street SE, Calgary, AB

Each attendee is responsible for his or her own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Allan Stenbeck, CPB

Presenter: Cidnee Stephens from Strategies for Success

Topic: 7 Steps to Successful Marketing

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC.

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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EDMONTON, AB

Date: Thursday January 21st, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

New Location:

The ABC Country Restaurant

4485 Gateway Blvd. at the Greenwood Inn, Edmonton, AB

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage- $10 minimum

Regional Developer: Lynn Magnaye, CPB

Presenter: Jay Wilson from Spark- The Branding Shop

Topic: Branding your business on a budget

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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VANCOUVER, BC

Date: Thursday January 21st, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Simon Fraser Room, attached to the ABC Restaurant - in the Accent Inn

2350 Boundary Road (Boundary & Lougheed Hwy)

- access parking off of Boundary Road

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

The menu is fixed:

Caesar Salad

Vegetarian Fusilli Pasta with Marinara Sauce

Garlic Toast

Pumpkin Pie

Coffee or Tea

Rolls & Butter

The cost is $30.00 including all taxes and gratuities. We can only accept cash and require exact change at the door please.

Regional Developer: Kandice Keith

Presenter: Carl Markwart, CGA & Associate Member of IPBC from McLaren Trefanenko Inc

Topic: Bookkeeping for Non-Profits

You may be a bookkeeper/treasurer for a non-profit, a member, or director. The bookkeeping, accounting, and tax reporting for non-profits has long been neglected in the attention it is due. So many good organizations out there do so much good work. Carl Markwart, CGA with McLaren Trefanenko Inc. CGA's will take you through incorporation, CRA filings, accounting issues, and governance. Come and learn more about this large, quiet industry within Canada in "From beginning...to then..."

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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TORONTO WEST, ON

Date: Monday January 25th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 9PM (meetings start & end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Lone Star Texas Grill (upstairs meeting room)

930 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage: Fajita Buffet for $21.99 plus tax and gratuity includes the following: Chips and Salsa, House Salad; Chicken, Steak, and Veggie Fajiitas; Sweet Tray; Coffee or Tea

Regional Developer: Susan Hopcroft, CPB

Presenter: Myron Simon, Bank of Montreal

Topic: How to Secure Small Business Financing

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC.

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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VICTORIA, BC

New Date: Monday January 25th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

New Location:

The Pantry Restaurant

Unit 202, 3214 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C.

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Wendy Willis, CPB & Avis Michalovsky

Presenter: Gordon Skillen, Executive Director, IPBC

Topics: :

1) Learn More about IPBC- Presented by Gordon Skillen, Executive Director of IPBC

2) Roundtable of Challenges discussed by a panel of experts

Enjoy a short presentation by Gordon Skillen and then a question and answer period.

For the 2nd half of the meeting, come prepared with your largest bookkeeping challenges. They will be added to a "fish bowl" at the door and discussed by a panel of experts, including an accountant.

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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KELOWNA, BC

Date: Tuesday January 26th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Perkins, 2170 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Judy Rheault, CPB

Presenter: Carol-Ann Hillman, Financial Advisor

Topic: Small business planning, including health and disability options and more

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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ST. CATHARINES, ON

Date: Tuesday January 26th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

New Location:

Dom's Pasta & Grill

22 Academy Street, St. Catharines, ON

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Virginia Valle, CPB

Topic: Roundtable of Bookkeeping Challenges

Come prepared with your largest bookkeeping challenges. They will be added to a "fish bowl" at the door and discussed by the whole group.

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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KITCHENER, ON

Date: Wednesday January 27th, 2010

Time: 5:30PM to 8PM (meetings start & end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Country Boy Restaurant

5 Manitou Drive, Kitchener, ON

Each attendee is responsible for his or her own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Cindy Jeary, CPB

Presenters: Jay Harris, CA CIRP & Adam Fisher, CA CIRP; from Harris & Partners Inc.

Topic: Amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act

1) Do you know what to tell your clients when they ask about their options about restructuring?

2) Director Liabilities can personally bankrupt you if you are not set up properly to protect yourself!!

3) The insolvency laws have been revamped after 17 years. As advisors of financial matters, it's important to know how these changes may affect your clients.

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC.

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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SASKATOON, SK

Date: Wednesday January 27th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start & end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Grainfields Pancake & Waffle House

2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK

Each attendee is responsible for his or her own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Brenda Cross, CPB

Presenters: Carl Sieberer, CMA

Topic: What Accountants Want at Year End

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC.

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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NORTH BAY, ON

Date: Wednesday January 27th, 2010

Time: 8:30AM to 10AM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

Location:

Canada Brokerlink

591 Main Street East, suite 203, North Bay, On

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Susan Peters, CPB

Presenters: Maria Cadorette and David Betz

David Betz has been an insurance broker for over 23 years. He has achieved the Canadian Accredited Insurance Brokers Designation and is a commercial insurance specialist

Maria has been an insurance broker for over 27 years and has managed her own insurance brokerage for ten years. She is a personal lines specialist.

Topic: Errors and Omissions Insurance

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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PRINCE GEORGE, BC

Date: Thursday January 28th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

New Location:

Thanh Vu Restaurant

1778 Highway 97 South (In between the Sheraton Hotel & The Great Wall), Prince George

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Clarence Lowey, CPB

Presenter: Dan Boudreau from Riskbusters

Topic: Marketing Tips for small business

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

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RED DEER, AB

Date: Thursday February 11th, 2010

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM (meetings start and end precisely on schedule)

Location:

ABC Restaurant

2085 Gaetz Avenue, Red Deer, AB

You are responsible for your own meal and beverage

Regional Developer: Valerie Rideout, CPB

Presenter: Murray Berezowski from Community Futures Central Alberta

Topic: Commercial Loan Reporting Criteria for Financial Institutes Being Proactive

Non Members are welcome to attend two meetings to evaluate IPBC

To register for this meeting, contact us at info@ipbc.ca

One important key to success is self confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

--Arthur Ashe

If you are an IPBC member, you should proudly be displaying the IPBC logo along with a link, so your visitor can learn a little about your professional association. Membership in IPBC gives you an edge over your competition.

Show the world that you belong to a professional association for professional bookkeepers by adding a short informational video about IPBC to your signature line in your email program. The link, entitled 'View this short informational video about IPBC' is found below.

In Outlook, click 'Tools', followed by 'Options', 'Mail format', 'Signatures', and 'New' or 'Edit', depending if you already have a signature. Then copy and paste the link, "View this short informational video about IPBC", into this spot. Click 'OK'.

Feel free to contact us at info@ipbc.ca with any questions.

The purpose of the IPBC newsletter is to assist Canadian bookkeepers with tools, ideas, and resources to make your business efforts easier, and to help your business grow by delivering timely and thoughtful information. Do you have a story to share? Words of wisdom? Pass them along to us.

Email karenl@ipbc.ca

View this short informational video about IPBC