Business
Writing a Business Plan
Thinking about starting a business or expanding your current one? Consider writing a Business Plan! It will help you determine if your business idea is viable. It explains what your idea and goals are and how you are going to achieve them. It does take some time to prepare it but is well worth it.
July New Business
Fernie Fly Fishing, 2131 Highway 3, 250-423-6515
A new fly fish guiding and outfitting business has just opened its doors in Fernie but while the business may be new, this fly fishing outfitter has an abundance of expertise and experience. Internationally recognized and local guides who know these waters like the back of their hand make up the Fernie Fly Fishing team.
July Business News
Fernie Brewing Co. 26 Manitou Road, 250-423-7797
If you’ve been to a liquor store in BC or Alberta you’ve probably noticed Fernie Brewing Company’s newest additions! With a new bottling line, FBC is excited to now offer What the Huck – Huckleberry Wheat and Ol’ Willy Wit – Belgian White Ale in their 650ml bottles. With all five of their products available on tap, but only the original three available off the shelves, it was time to move their two summer favorites to centre stage.
Preparing for your 2010 Tax Returns
The Tax Season or Time has been over for a month now. While the experience is still fresh in our minds and we are only five months into 2010, I thought it would be a good time to give you a few tips for the next one.
Have a “special” folder for all the receipts that can be used towards a tax credit. This comment is aimed at the younger readers since I am sure most of you have one these already. In this folder put the receipts that relate to the following:
Medical Expenses
June New Business
Woven Gardens Horticulture, 250-278-0402 info@wovengardens.ca
Economic Recovery Underway by Dave Hobden, Economist at Central 1 Credit Union
The international financial crisis that emerged in June 2008 is largely over. There are early signs of a global economic recovery and confidence in financial institutions is returning. The market value of many risky assets is rising as investor confidence builds. The global economy is forecast to continue recovering, although high levels of government and household debt in most mature economies will subdue the rate of growth.
To Incorporate or Not
Usually, business owners begin their businesses as sole proprietors or partnerships. Then, after a few years of being in business they ask themselves whether or not they should incorporate.
May New Business
Flirty Urge, 250-423-6496
Recently new to Fernie, the band Flirty Urge is ready to take on the entertainment scene. Over the years they have played in several different bands and Mike (lead guitar) spent years traveling professionally showing off his Malmsteen fingers. Mona (singer) has spent years training vocally as an understudy for her professor at UNBC and studying classical and contemporary vocal styles, which she intends to teach in her vocal studio this September.
May Business News
Fernie Garden Centre 6283 Olivia Road, 250-423-3666
Tax-Free Savings Account
We have been asked quite a few questions about Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) at the office lately and I thought it would be a good topic for this month’s column.
A TFSA is a registered savings plan, which allows any Canadian resident of 18 years of age or older to earn investment income that is tax-free. The contribution limit is of $5,000 per year and you can withdraw your funds at any time. To take advantage of the flexibility of withdrawals, you should consider investing your savings in a combination of investment such as high interest savings account, GICs and mutual funds.
April New Business
The Green Petal (Floral Design & Gifts), 421c 2nd Ave, 250.423.4486
April Business News
AHC Group, www.ahc1893.com, 250-423-2606
Harmonized Sales Tax
This past summer the Government of BC announced its intention to implement a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), which effectively combines the two sales taxes we pay now (GST & PST), into one tax called the HST. We can expect that the HST will be in effect as of July 1, 2010.
RRSP Contributions
March 1, 2010 …for some it will be a great day on the slopes, a birthday, an anniversary, another day at work and for others, the disappearance of the little black cloud that has been hanging over their heads because they will have made the final contribution to their RRSPs for the 2009 tax year.
Of course most of you already know about this deadline but I thought I would take the opportunity to bring a few key terms to your attention since these RRSPs affect us differently during the course of our lives.
February Business News
Beavertail Lodge B&B 4507 Timberline Crescent, 250-423-2673
Beavertail Lodge has re-opened as a traditional bed and breakfast offering visitors very comfortable accommodation and truly delicious, hot breakfasts. Hosts, Wells and Karen Marshall hail from the Northwest Territories and have brought true northern hospitality to the B&B: a friendly, relaxed atmosphere enhanced by homemade baking.