Category Archives: News

Employment Insurance (EI) and COVID-19

This information is developing and changing as the COVID-19 situation unfolds. We’ll do our best to update the details as they change.

Laid off due to work closures?

  • Apply for regular EI benefits
  • You will need 700 work hours in last year
  • You will need a ROE saying you’ve been laid off from your employer to get benefits
  • There is a 1-week wait period (so you will not be paid for 1 week)
  • Apply online: https://canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
  • Call 1-800-206-7218 for more info

Unable to work due to self-quarantine?

  • Apply for EI Sickness benefits
  • You will need 600 work hours in last year
  • You do not need a ROE or sick note to qualify
  • The 1-week wait period has been waived
  • Apply online: https://canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
  • Call 1-833-381-2725 for more info

Laid off and ineligible for EI?

  • Apply for the Emergency Support Benefit
  • Amounts and eligibility has not yet been announced
  • Applications will be available in April via CRA MyAccount, My Service Canada Account, and a yet to be released toll-free number

Self-quarantined and ineligible for EI?

  • Apply for the Emergency Care Benefit for workers not eligible for EI (including self-employed) who are sick with COVID-19, quarantined, or taking care of a family member with COVID-19
  • Up to 15 weeks of benefits, up to $900 bi-weekly
  • Applications will be available in April via CRA MyAccount, My Service Canada Account, and a yet to be released toll-free number

Unable to work due to school closures?

  • Parents with children who require care due to school closures can apply for the Emergency Care Benefit
  • 15 weeks of benefits, up to $900 bi-weekly
  • Applications will be available in April via CRA MyAccount, My Service Canada Account, and a yet to be released toll-free number

Do I qualify for WorkSafe benefits?

  • WorkSafe benefits are not available for preventative measures or non-work-related exposure
  • Only file a claim for COVID-19 virus infection contracted through work-related exposure,/li>
  • Call 1-888-967-5377 for more info/li>

Changes to the way the Nevcon Accounting client portal works

Over the last few months, Nevcon Accounting has been reviewing the way it collects documents and gives you a copy of your personal tax returns. Previously, we have been using e-courier to send you any sensitive documents securely, including any documents needing to be signed. Well, this has been a great product over the last six years, but we have outgrown the services it provides. The only way to continue using it would be to introduce other services, which would have meant having everyone perform multiple logins. The service was fine, but we have found it to be a bit lacking in clear navigation and it was getting harder for long-term clients to find information on older returns.

Nevcon Accounting client portal login

With this in mind, we started looking at different solutions that would let us expand how we share information to you. As a result, we are introducing a new, improved client portal. The new portal is more like what everyone is used to in that it is a folder-based design with different folders for each tax year. Over the next few months, as you do your taxes with Nevcon, we will be sending you an invitation to set up a password to the email address we have on file. You will notice different folders and one will hold all copies for your personal tax returns. Nevcon will be slowly moving over the old return information to the new portal so you only have one place to go for everything.

One particular area of improvement is the upload folder. This will allow you to upload your tax slips or information securely without having to use email. Once you have uploaded a document, we automatically receive an email letting us know.

Another enhanced area is the items requiring signature. This area will have any documents that need a signature by you. An additional benefit is that, where allowed, you will be able to digitally sign the documents and once done, it will automatically notify us of the completion.

Overall, this will let you find historical information much easier and faster. The added benefit of being able to digitally sign documents will greatly improve the turn around times for all transactions and deadlines.

We have decided to make this the year of improvements. Our systems that we used have been static for the last 10 years – still reliable but perhaps lacking in new features and enhancements – and this year our goal is to make your experience with us much more straightforward, efficient and hey, maybe even fun!

Phone scams confuse and hurt everyone – be prepared!

Nevcon Accounting recently received a phone call from an angry individual that left us angry and unhappy, too.

This individual claimed his mother was receiving threatening phone calls about her tax bill and the calls were coming from our number. We explained to the caller that his mother was the victim of a phone scam. We in turn were the victims of caller ID spoofing, where a caller displays someone else’s name and/or number to misrepresent themselves and to trick people into picking up their calls.

The CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission) has a wealth of information on how to deal with telemarketing, unwanted and misleading calls and messages. We highly recommend checking out this information and making use of their tips and suggestions.

To be honest, it’s a shame we all have to be so suspicious, but this information is very useful for avoiding the hurt, confusion and worse that scammers try to cause.

Tax changes coming into effect in 2019

We’ve barely taken down the holiday decorations … and it’s time to start thinking about tax changes that kick in as the new year gets under way. But if you stay on top of them now (and hey, you know who to call if you need assistance!), there will be more reasons to celebrate as the new year unfolds.

This overview from CBC News is very helpful:

obj-tax-image-iStock-480459733
(Image courtesy of Ottawa Business Journal)

Your tax bill could change in 2019. Here’s what to expect.

From low-income subsidies to passive cash taxation to the carbon tax, the rules are set to shift

A whole host of federal tax changes come into effect in the new year. Some will hit your paycheque, others your bills — and if you’re a small business owner, there are a couple of changes coming for which you’ve likely been preparing for months.

Read the entire article here.

How technology is changing the relationship between bookkeeper and accountant

Needless to say, I’m very excited to be joining Rachel Fisch (@FischBooks) and Galit Sugar May 8th in Toronto for a Sage Session discussion on how technology is changing the relationship between bookkeeper and accountant.

sage-sessions-2018

As you can imagine, I’ll have plenty to say! I marvel every day at how the right combination of technology, carefully considered and deployed, makes my job easier and more efficient. In turn, that means I can offer faster and more accurate services to my clients, big and small.

Take a look here at the full selection of Toronto sessions.

Sage Sessions comprise a single-day event designed for Sage customers driving the economy. Sessions are held across North American. Here is the full schedule.

Hope to see you there!

Links to key 2017 Ontario Budget coverage

Nevcon Accounting is pleased to provide the following links to articles, analyses and more, to help you learn more about the 2017 Ontario Budget, delivered April 27, 2017.

Links to key 2017 Federal Budget coverage

Nevcon Accounting is pleased to provide the following links to articles, analyses and more, to help you learn more about the 2017 Federal Budget, delivered March 22, 2017.

When Nevcon Accounting has something new and interesting to tell you …

… we’ll post it here, to our new blog. We’ll give you updates on new small business and tax-related news, changes and trends, and we’ll also provide perspectives and recommendations on products, services, practices and more. This blog will take the place of the “What’s New” page from our previous web site, and it will be a complement to our Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/NevconAccount). Let us know if there are subjects that you would like us to cover here.