Spring Burn
  
One of the nicest parts about living in the middle of nowhere is that we get to have campfires, at least before the fire ban sets in. Last summer we rebuilt our firepit and it is working really well.
Samson The Office Pup
Samson loves a good cuddle, and he doesn't care what you are doing when he needs his loving. He regularly demands that I stop what I am doing and snuggle him. Not a bad way to have a break during a busy day.
Your 2024 Tax Claims Kick Off
Most Canadians must file their tax return by April 30, which is also the deadline to make a payment for those who owe money to the government.Canadians who are self-employed, along with their spouses or common-law partners, have until June 15. Since that day falls on a weekend, the CRA will consider a return to be on time if it is received by or postmarked on or before June 17.
Self-employed Canadians must still pay money owed to the CRA by the April 30 deadline to avoid paying interest.
FHSA, home office claims among changes
This marks the first year that taxpayers will be able to enter deductions on the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), a type of tax-free account rolled out by the federal government last year to help Canadians save on their first home.
"Your contributions to the FHSA are tax-deductible, while your withdrawals — as long as you use them for the down payment of a purchase of your first home — are tax-free," said Gerry Vittoratos, a national tax specialist with UFile.ca.
The program allows prospective homebuyers to start saving for up to 15 years once they open an account, with an annual $8,000 deposit cap and a lifetime contribution limit of $40,000.
Canadians who've opened this type of account will receive a new slip called the T4FHSA, which will provide the details needed to complete your tax return.
Financial institutions and employers have until the end of February to send tax slips to the CRA. So most taxpayers might not even get their slips until early March, "and that's really the kick-off of the season," Vittoratos said.
Canadians might also notice that the temporary flat-rate method for claiming employees' home office expenses — such as rent, electricity, internet and office supplies — is no longer available.
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