News

In recent days the Internet has been abuzz with discussions of Amazon's decision to reverse its position on sales taxes. Until very recently, Amazon has refused to collect and pay sales taxes wherever it operates. It has used provisions in US law regarding needing to have a (physical) "presence" in a state before sales tax collection and remittance is required. In Europe it established its business presence in Liechtenstein to avoid paying taxes in the EU and last year paid no UK tax on sales to UK customers valued at £3.3-billion.

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Effective July 9, 2012

Buying your first home is a big decision. It is important you understand the amount of mortgage you are qualified for. If you are purchasing a home with less than a 20 percent downpayment you are considered a “high ratio” borrower, and required to add mortgage default insurance to your mortgage loan.

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When you are retired, but still have your physical and mental health, you should take a fresh look at your financial plans, your estate plan and will, and how you and your spouse communicate. Health changes can be sudden in one's later years, and in bad cases can have a very negative impact on your ability to think through and deal with issues.

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As our world becomes increasingly digital, it is worth taking a fresh look at the possible consequences of the changes we are witnessing and participating in. As I grow older, I become more aware of the question, "What happens to all this when I die?"

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Just a few years ago, newspaper headlines were talking about how "virtual worlds" such as Second Life were being cited in divorce actions. Those articles have gone away, but new ones have arrived with different social sites and surprising statisics.

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These days, most job applications are made by email. The typical application arrives as an email message with an attached document outlining the sender's qualifications and experience. The email is where the first mistakes happen.

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Articles appearing in this blog are written by authors of the books we publish and our staff. We do not seek or publish guest posts...

It is with great sadness that we learned recently of the passing of Jean McBean, QC, lawyer and the author of Marriage, Separation, and Divorce in Alberta. Jean passed away from cancer in Victoria, BC, on April 7. She was just 63.

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For many new entrepreneurs on a tight budget, setting up a business at home is the only option. Fortunately, this can work quite well for some businesses such as Internet-based distributors, accounting firms, or technology-based companies that simply require a fixed address in order to receive mail. Working from home can have many benefits, but it isn’t always a feasible option, nor the best atmosphere for creative juices to flow. This is where shared workspaces come in: office spaces that encourage entrepreneurs and freelancers to interact with one another and get their work done in a social environment, while sharing the costs of office space.

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Every day new businesses open up shop for the first time. The owners of these businesses are often driven by the dream of being their own boss.

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