Not filing a tax return if you owe money to the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) is considered a crime and can lead to severe punishment. The CRA can charge you criminally and penalties and interests will be added to all amounts owing.  Penalties for not filing a tax return or other ways of evading the taxman are stiff. The CRA enforcement division efficiently tracks down and prosecutes tax evaders. The best thing to do is to come and see us so that we can assess the actual amount owing, if any. Our team will then prepare a confidential, voluntary disclosure to CRA on your behalf. This process may avoid criminal prosecution and penalties.

2. My father has passed away. Do his personal taxes need to be done and, if so, when and who does them?
When a person dies, the executor or administrator of the person’s estate must file a “terminal return” for the deceased to report income up to the date of death. The terminal return is due by the usual deadline or six months after death, whichever is later. Any tax balance owing is due on April 30 of the year after the year of death or six months after death, whichever is later. If the deceased person was paying tax by instalments, only those instalments due before the date of death are required.

3. I have my own business and I have my personal house mortgage payment withdrawn from the business account. I just received a call from CRA saying they want to audit my business and personal returns for the last three years.
Mortgage payments are considered personal expenses. If mortgage payments are withdrawn from the business account then the business can deduct those payments as a draw or director salary and they will be included in your salary for the year. These mortgage payments must be included on your personal tax return, otherwise the CRA would be able to track them down during their audit and the CRA could charge you for tax evasion. Furthermore, tax returns will be reassessed for those years and will result in additional amount of taxes owing, while penalties and interests will be imposed on taxes owing.

4. How does HST affect me as a business owner and my family?
The HST is the new tax in the Province of Ontario, which now forces everyone to pay 13 per cent on almost everything as of July 1, 2010. Previously, certain services only charged GST (five per cent) and not PST (eight per cent). This means that everyone will begin paying an extra eight per cent on things like accountancy services, gas, guitar lessons, etc.

As a business owner, you will be charging HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) instead of GST and PST. If you are a business who was not previously charging PST, you will see more changes. Businesses that were collecting PST and remitting the PST entirely must now collect the 13 per cent HST and remove the Input Tax Credits (ITCs) to pay the net amount owing to the CRA. The benefits to the business owner can be summarized as follows:
▶ Input Tax Credits (ITCs) will reimburse many business purchases that were PST-exempt but now attract HST
▶ Savings on your input costs could make your business more competitive
▶ Time and expense saved by no longer managing and remitting separate provincial tax

As a household, while some goods and services will be subject to a higher rate of tax, the tax reform package includes income tax breaks and a rebate of up to $1000 for most individuals and families. As a result, many Ontarians will actually save money initially. Ontario will also reduce its first income tax rate from 6.05 per cent to 5.5 percent in 2010, which benefits lower income earners.

5. I only see my accountant once a year and I am frustrated with not knowing how I did last month.
For a business, it is critical to have an up-to-date financial position. We accountants must separate ourselves from the day-to-day bookkeeping of our clients in order to maintain independence, so we try to leave the bookkeeping up to the client.  However, this means more work for the client, which they do not have time for. Our secret to making your business successful is simple. We have three independent teams that essentially form your internal accounting department and external accountants.  We combine the three teams with modern technology and “Walla” financial information at your fingertips, every month.

Call us at 416-762-0062 to find out how to get a $150 gift certificate and if you have a question that needs to be answered, and want us to post it in our next issue, send us an e-mail to info@accworks.ca or check us out at www.accworks.ca

Kleinburg
Secretly known as the “Forest Hill” of Vaughan, Kleinburg houses the affluent executive types.

Kleinburg locals hold much pride in the area’s reputation, which is home to the famed McMichael Canadian Art Collection and Kortright Centre for Conservation.Take a stroll through the historic village to discover its treasured shops.

Neighbourhood Hot Spots:
Avenue Market Café: The chic and trendy spot to grab an espresso and be seen.
Mr. McGregor’s House Tea: The mix of a lovely garden, baked goods and home-cooked dishes make you feel like you’re visiting family.
Villaggio Ristorante: Chef Antonio Barbiere’s charming ambiance gives Italian cuisine a gorgeous look.

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Housing Stock:
Your entry ticket starts at $650,000 for cosy bungalows, while monster mansions along the conservation and Humber River are by far the most expensive. Zoning changes are in progress, so expect major transformations for Kleinburg.

Maple
If you’re looking for action, Maple is the place! Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan Mills and fine restaurants are the staple stops for locals and visitors. With the approval of a subway extension, an influx of 416ers are expected to make the trip.

Neighbourhood Hot Spots:
The Keg: A fave spot for after-work drinks and mingling. Think loud and busy!
Pollo Loco Churraqueria: The place to taste the best BBQ chicken around.
Grazie: Suburban sister to its uptown location, it maintains a busy yet casual mood with rustic eats for any occassion.

Housing Stock: Best variety of options, from starter cribs to luxury condos. Affordable townhomes begin at $350,000, whereas deep-pocket splurges along Weston Road can run over $2 million.

3700 Steeles Ave., W. Vaughan, Ont.  — B. 416.748.9598
131 Woodbridge Ave. Woodbridge, Ont. — B. 905.856.1111
647.405.Sold (7653) — F. 905.856.9782   www.ReMaxExcellenceRealty.com

After a long, indulgent season of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, we should venture into spring with lighter hearts and thinner waistlines. “Spring marks a new beginning,” says Barbara Parisotto, registered dietitian. “It’s a great time to cleanse our bodies of toxins and that starts with improving how we eat.”

Of course, with the tempting confections and deep-fried delights that call our name on the drive home, down the aisles of the grocery store, and even from our own pantry doors, this feat is not always easy. If you need that little push to get started, you might consider enlisting the help of a professional.

With years of experience and an approachable demeanor, Parisotto gives her clients the knowledge and skills to make healthy food choices. The nutrition expert begins her process with an assessment, where she inquires about your lifestyle, medical history, and eating habits, as well as your nutritional goals. Parisotto works one-on-one with you to create realistic objectives, meal plan, and provides strategies to help you manage your food choices.

Weekly or biweekly follow-up sessions prevent you from losing your way, as Parisotto is always available in person, by phone or e-mail, encouraging you to stay motivated and reach your goal.

www.barbaraparisotto.com 905.553.2766

After trying almost everything, medical professionals told Korobkina that her only other option was spinal surgery. “I was awaiting the surgery when a friend told me to try the Bowen Technique, which at the time was something I had never heard of. I figured I had nothing to lose,” says Korobkina, who felt immediate results after just one Bowen session. She was even able to dance the night away at a Christmas party – something she never thought would be possible. “I started going for more treatments and Bowen just turned everything around almost instantly. It was just life-changing,” says Korobkina.

An Australian man named Tom Bowen developed the Bowen technique in the ’50s, and today his gentle healing module is used worldwide by practitioners to help lessen the symptoms of an array of ailments such as asthma, sciatica, infertility, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), infantile colic, and insomnia. The procedure consists of a series of gentle yet precise movements on particular points of the body in an effort to stimulate energy flow.

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Amazed by her own rapid recovery, Korobkina decided to trade her computer career in to be formally trained in the Bowen Technique. Today, she’s not only a certified Bowen practitioner and teacher at The Bowen College Inc., but also founder of the increasingly popular Let It Heal chain. “When people walk into my clinic, I’m not just there to help them, I know exactly how they feel, so if they’re not very friendly I know exactly why. I was there and I was pretty grumpy myself,” says Korobkina, who recently opened her fifth Let It Heal clinic in Toronto.

Korobkina encourages people who are skeptical to do their research on the Bowen Technique before making a decision. “It doesn’t really matter whether you believe in it at first or not. So many skeptics get back in touch with me and say, ‘OK fine, you win,’” she says. The Bowen Technique has been spreading rapidly across the world and Korobkina anticipates that it will garner even more recognition over the next few years.

www.letitheal.com
1.888.653.6625

Designer Kids Wear is a boutique that’s filled with a range of fun and formal outfits for babies, toddlers and even teens. As one of the few places in the city that centralizes its fashion on high-end goods for younger age groups, Designer Kids Wear has become a recognized destination for consumers seeking quality clothing that will stand the test of time.

Angela opened the doors of Designer Kids Wear in Vaughan in 1997, after carrying out a bustling career as a chartered accountant. With her third child on the way, she decided to take her business knowledge and use it to finally pursue her zeal for retail. “If you enjoy what you’re doing and you have a passion for it, you can overcome any situation, no matter how many obstacles are in your way,” says the impassioned owner.

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Designer Kids Wear’s success speaks for itself. “Our growth over the years has just been astounding.” said co-owner Anthony. With a degree in Business, he has taken over the finance and administration aspect of Designer Kids since 2006. “We are very grateful. We have a loyal clientele and have surrounded ourselves with an exceptional staff. We have a team of polite, genuinely caring and knowledgeable individuals who share our passion for providing a great shopping experience.”

The debate to choose quality or quantity is one that often arises in a society that can sometimes appear to be driven by consumption. When deciding what to purchase, you may want to consider buying your child a few high-end pieces over several lower-end pieces. “A child really doesn’t need a large wardrobe at any given time. So if they have a few quality pieces it’s just that much more special.” Choosing quality over quantity doesn’t necessarily mean spending more. It can simply mean buying select items that last longer and reflect your little one’s personal style.

Designer Kids Wear also offers a great selection of gifts that range in price, brand and looks. To make your shopping experience easier, they offer gift cards, gift receipts and will even package your purchase. “At the end of the day we really just want to make our clients enjoy coming in to our boutique, whether its just to browse or purchase that special item.”

www.designerkidswear.ca
905.264.7228

Audio One specializes in retail as well as custom installation of home entertainment systems. The retail showroom boasts eight lavish demonstration rooms that allow customers to audition and discover the latest audio and video products. “The second part is the custom installation side, where we do everything from a simple mounting of a TV or speakers to lavish home theatre rooms and full automation systems that can control everything in the home from music, video, lighting, climate and security,” says D’Ascanio. Gino is primarily responsible for the retail and operations side of the business, while brothers Anthony and Carlo work almost exclusively in the custom installation division.

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The family atmosphere doesn’t stop at the three siblings. Staff consists of trained and skilled professionals, all passionate about the industry. Many of them have been with the company well over 10 years. “They are part of our extended family and are all vital to what makes Audio One special,” explains D’Ascanio. “We believe customers should expect a high level of quality from both our people and the systems we install.” Audio One’s 23 years of experience speaks volumes to what customers can expect. “We have installed an excess of 2,500 home theatres in our history,” estimates D’Ascanio.

The clientele at Audio One ranges from electronic equipment enthusiasts to successful business professionals. “Our most affluent customers can sometimes be the least technologically savvy. Our job is to make our systems so easy to use that they’re not even aware of the sophisticated technology in their home,” say D’Ascanio.

D’Ascanio provides insightful reasoning for the growing popularity of home theatres in recent years: “The world is a bigger, scarier place than it used to be. I think a lot of clients want a home theatre to keep the family at home. It’s great bonding and it’s a safety thing; you know where your family is. Plus it is a lot of fun.”

The brothers are all Vaughan residents. “We love this area. Vaughan offers so much that there is nowhere else we would want our homes and our business to be located.”

www.audio-one.ca, 416.665.0749

“For five days of the week, I would say my day starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. and then Saturdays are half days. That gives me about 75 to 78 hours of work a week,” calculates Mauro Rossi, vice president of Rexdale Disposal. Mauro inherited an impressive work ethic from his father, Filiberto Rossi, the founder of the company. Now 73, Filiberto began Rexdale Disposal back in 1973, after his hours were cut at the disposal company he worked for. His wife, Rita, assisted in the challenging endeavour of jump-starting a new business to ensure her husband’s happiness and success. Filiberto’s business-savvy nature and his passion for the industry, combined with Rita’s solid background in account managing, allowed for Rexdale Disposal’s growth and prosperity. The dynamic pair eagerly worked together to form what is now recognized in the city as a top waste and recycling hauler. “We’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve in today’s market and we’ve always grown at one to two trucks a year,” says Mauro.

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Rexdale Disposal’s wide clientele ranges from the private to the public spheres. They offer residential collection bins, have serviced Oxford Properties Group for the past 33 years and work with over 2,000 customers on both residential and commercial accounts. They also recently aided in the Toronto civic workers’ strike that lasted an outrageous six weeks. Rexdale Disposal remained rather busy during those smelly, stagnant days. “We picked up waste at residential houses and worked with city councillors in designating dump sites for residents,” says Mauro. “The community greatly benefited from his role in the strike,” says Toronto city councillor Giorgio Mammoliti. “He took it one step further and provided bins for residents to drop off their garbage. He’s a good partner and we need partners like that in the city of  Toronto.”

Throughout the years, Rexdale Disposal has forged strong and treasured relationships with their clients. “They’ve been a great help for us. It’s a family-run business and Mauro loves what he’s doing. Anytime we call for assistance, he’s always been there for us,” says John Crane, an operations manager at Oxford Properties Group. Tony Gazzaruso of Lakeview Homes agrees: “We’ve been working with Rexdale Disposal for five to seven years. They offer excellent service, competitive prices, are easily accessible and are willing to go beyond the norm of what is expected.”

Charismatic and friendly, Mauro is capable of steering a bustling business while still remaining down-to-earth and approachable. “He’s pretty fantastic. He doesn’t feel like a boss, he feels more like a co-worker. That makes the work environment very comfortable,” notes Vito Fiorillo, Rexdale Disposal’s vice president of business development. “We work as a family here and our customers mean everything to us. We take pride in what we do. It may be a waste company to somebody else, but it’s everything to us,” he adds.

Mauro acknowledges the competitive nature of the waste removal industry and manages to survive, succeed and flourish by remaining honest in all aspects of business. In order to stay innovative and current, Rexdale Disposal also focuses on bettering response times. “The only thing you can enhance in this industry is the customer service. Response times are becoming a lot better,” he says.

As proud supporters of the green movement, the Rossi family also looks to the future and strives to preserve and protect the environment. “We want a greener tomorrow. We need to make sure we have some greenery left so that we can share it with our kids and our grandkids,” says Filiberto. They are constantly seeking out better means of recycling and hope to incorporate biodiesel products and equipment in the near future. “Doing the right thing is what we look at. It may not be the best thing, but it is the right thing to do for the environment,” adds Filiberto.

The Rossi team fervently believes in their motto: family, unity, strength. “We always work together as a family and discuss our matters. We do communicate very well as a family. The fact that we still work as one, is the reason why I’m so intrigued by this business,” says Mauro. “I love the adrenaline of meeting new people. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

www.rexdaledisposal.com
416.744.8114

Like many successful business leaders, Cacciola caught the entrepreneurial bug at a young age. He established his first company at 19. “I grew the business to 115 employees and bookkeeping and accounting was a struggle,” says Cacciola. With no previous background in the accounting arena, he sold his business and decided to hit the textbooks to better understand the art of accounting and tax laws.

During his stretch at school, Cacciola sought to find the culprit responsible for destroying so many failed ventures. Like a character from Clue, Cacciola quickly discovered that businesses weren’t being killed by Colonel Mustard in the kitchen, but by the superfluous time their owners spent in the basement trying to balance their books. “Doing your books all the time takes away from the actual substance of your business,” says Cacciola. It was this light-bulb moment that prompted Cacciola and his business partner Claudio Pecora to make their next move – the innovative My Accounting Department venture. That was almost five years ago.

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Designed to help entrepreneurs keep their heads above the line, My Accounting Department gives business owners the time to focus on their fortes. “We eliminate the whole stress of trying to organize everything, trying to hire somebody to do their books,” says Cacciola.

A one-stop, 24-hour, online accounting shop is really the only way to describe this unique, cost-effective firm. “By having a system in place such as ours that deviates from the whole entire accounting process, we actually guarantee that everything’s done on time, all the time,” says Cacciola. The client just places their accounting information in a yellow envelope and My Accounting Department picks it up and deals with the rest. “We take over the entire process; they just log in from anywhere around the world and review their reports.”

In addition to 24-hour access to an accountant, clients have their very own accounting manager. “They are a part of the whole process without having been involved with the entire process,” says Cacciola. And as a testament to My Accounting Department’s trustworthy reputation, Cacciola himself meets all of his clients either at their offices or out for lunch on a quarterly basis to review and discuss their progress and financials. In this industry, trust means “knowing more about the client than the client knows about themselves,” says Cacciola.

My Accounting Department’s new Vaughan location specializes in small businesses and personal tax returns. As a respectable business leader who knows what it’s like to stroll in the ambitious entrepreneur’s shoes, Cacciola is proud to offer, “an accounting firm service to people that are intimidated by the accounting firm atmosphere and costs.”

www.accworks.ca
416.762.0062 or 1.800.636.8138
4800 Hwy #7 W., Woodbridge, Ont.
Located at the corner of Hwy 7 and Wigwoss Dr., in the Vaughanwood Mall

Delevadova began his career almost 30 years ago by performing maxillofacial surgery on victims of severe trauma back home in Bucharest, Romania. “That experience made me like the idea of fixing and repairing things and improving the pain that they were going through with the hope that everything would be solved at the end. I knew for sure then that I was meant to do this,” says the altruistic dentist. Today, Delevadova’s priority continues to be the health of his patients. “Beauty is healthy and healthy is beautiful,” he says, adding that with products like Invisalign, it’s never too late to achieve a perfect, natural smile. “The sky’s the limit.”

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The mere warmth that exudes from Delevadova’s staff and lovely wife, Luiza, immediately puts you at ease. Supplementary to health, the concern of both Dr. Delevadova and his associate Dr. Jessica Minardi is comfort. Every piece of high-tech equipment in the office was selected to provide patients with complete comfort and achieve the best long-term results. Treating patients like family comes naturally, but eliminating the fear of visiting the dentist has a technique. “They don’t need to know you’re removing a cavity, you’re just taking sugar bugs off their teeth or when you shine the light in their mouth, it’s the movie-star light,” laughs Minardi. “When you’re able to take people out of pain, that’s when you appreciate what you’re doing.”

Delivering much more than their commitment to preventative dental care, Dr. Delevadova’s dentistry undoubtedly practises a patient-first philosophy. “Success is very difficult to be measured. The way we judge success here is in our minds and in our eyes. For me, success is simple, it’s measured by each and every patient that leaves this office smiling,” beams Delevadova. “Whether they come for their regular check-ups or have just improved their smiles – and lives – with dazzling porcelain veneers, our patients know that our commitment is to safeguard one of their most unique personal assets – their smile.”

www.smilesolutionz.com, 905.856.0148
4550 Highway #7, Suite 105, Woodbridge, Ont.

Windows that speak for themselves.

With each stitch and sew, perfection is at its best in the hands of Anna Maria. As a skilled seamstress and accomplished designer, Anna Maria applies her love of fashion to dress your home in haute couture designs. “Drapery brings elegance and style to a space. Essentially, window dressings complete a room while establishing its ambience,” says Anna Maria.

With years of experience under her belt, Anna Maria delivers luxurious and unique window designs that work harmoniously with her clients’ lifestyles. As a graduate of Toronto’s George Brown College’s Creative Fashion Design program, Anna Maria infuses refined style and sartorial elegance into all of her work. “My love of fashion carries over to my drapery – it’s a passion that I have, to create classic pieces,” she muses. “I don’t just put fabric on a window – I put unique styles, elegance and timeless designs.”

As a self-proclaimed fashionista, Anna Maria is the principal designer of Drapery by Anna Maria, a mobile business that only employs exceptional fabrics from premier suppliers. “Our commitment to a high standard of quality has attracted decorators like Anna Maria,” says Vince Lo Curto, general manager of Alendel Fabrics Limited. “Anna Maria has been a loyal representative whose creativity and decorating skills complement any room or setting,” he adds. Navid Afsharian of Soletex Fabrics agrees: “Elegant silk jacquards, fashionable European jacquards, beautiful designer sheers and stylish hardware from Soletex Fabrics allow Anna Maria to apply her wonderful creative talents.” She also receives gorgeous material from Unique Fine Fabrics Import Inc., where fresh ideas and unique patterns are produced.

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Never afraid of a tailoring obstacle, Anna Maria prefers to work with silk, a challenging fabric that delivers stunning results. Inspiration for her delightful designs stem from her clients’ personalities, as well as blending current trends set by the industry. Anna Maria receives the highest quality window coverings crafted with the finest of materials from Delor Window Coverings.

Spoiling you with personal service and an engaging consultation, Anna Maria’s  unparalleled vision has you exploring never-ending options. After your windows are meticulously measured, the sewing specialist works fervently to create your own custom drapery.

Paying homage to the sophisticated elegance of the art of tailoring, Drapery by Anna Maria produces fresh, original designs that spill with uniqueness. “The pride that I have, to see it all come together in the end, is incredible.”

Introducing intricate, hand-stitched Swarovski® crystals, detailed accents and trimming. Available only by Anna Maria. Call 905.856.8655 for her designs.