This is not one of my favourite times of the year because I have the job of preparing our income tax forms: for myself, my husband and two of our three children. Our third son Mike, a recent commerce grad, has a different perspective on income tax than most
of us.
In his opinion, we should be glad to pay income tax because that means that we are making enough money to have a taxable income. For him, being a long-time student, to finally get to a position where he has taxable income will be an exciting day because it will mean that he finally has a little money.
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I don’t mind paying my share, but I wish the governments that spend what I give them would be just as prudent in spending it as I am with what I have left. I admit I see red when I hear anyone say, “oh, it is just taxpayers’ dollars.” Those are my dollars. Sometimes I wish I could have the opportunity to decide how many cents from each dollar goes into each government coffer.
Recently, I discovered that the Canada Revenue Agency now has a new feature on its website called My Account, an on-line service that gives you the convenience and flexibility of managing your personal income tax, Canada Child Tax Benefit and GST-HST credit accounts on a secure website seven days a week.
From what I have seen so far, it seems like a good investment in tax dollars that will make it easier to get answers to account questions.
My Account is provided for individual use, not for use by third parties. With My Account, you can see information about your:
- Tax refund and balance owing.
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Home Buyers’ Plan and Lifelong Learning Plan.
- Income tax and benefit returns.
- Account balance and payments on filing.
- Instalments.
- Canada Child Tax Benefit and GST/HST credit.
With My Account you can also change your return and file notice that you disagree with your assessment or determination.
To visit the site, go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca and click My Account.
Financial education website
During the first month or two of the year, and particularly during tax time, many Canadians resolve to be more responsible in managing their money. Visa has a new website, www.practicalmoneyskills.ca, which is a helpful resource for anyone looking to improve their personal finance skills.
The information on this site is easy to understand. There are many interactive tools and calculators that make tasks such as budgeting and estimating your retirement income simple and straightforward.
Designed for the personal finance novice, the website uses everyday language to present a broad range of topics and skills including budgeting, saving and investing, banking, credit cards and debt management.
There are also interactive tools and on-line calculators to assist users in understanding concepts such as budgeting, interest and saving for retirement.
Visa is also focusing its efforts on the particular needs of new and lower-income Canadians with brochures on the website. They will soon be available in French, Punjabi, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic, reflecting the most common languages spoken by new Canadians.
These multilingual brochures will be distributed through a variety of outlets across Canada including literacy programs, new-comer information centres, employment resource centres, English as a second language classes and other community-based agencies.
Looking for sauce recipe
A reader who was wintering in California contacted us for a sauce that she had seen in our column to put over hamburgers to keep them warm and moist. They were planning a large birthday party at the park where they are staying and she remembered this recipe.
Here are the two options that we shared with her.
Burger sauce
1Ú4 cup vinegar 60 mL
11Ú2 cup water 375 mL
1Ú4 cup white sugar 60 mL
4 teaspoons dry mustard 20 mL
1Ú4 teaspoon black pepper 1 mL
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
1Ú4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 mL
1Ú4-1Ú2 cup margarine 60-125 mL
1 medium onion
2 tablespoons lemon juice 30 mL
Simmer 20 minutes.
Add:
1 cup ketchup 250 mL
3 tablespoons worcestershire 45 mL
sauce
Burger food safety
Remember to keep hot food hot at 140 F
(60 C) or higher and cold food cold at 40 F
(4 C) or lower.
It is recommended that ground beef be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C). An instant-read food thermometer is the best indicator. Research results indicate that some ground beef may prematurely brown before a safe internal temperature has been reached. The colour of meat alone is not considered a reliable indicator.
Don’t allow the burgers to sit and just stay warm. It is best to place the burgers and sauce in a covered crockpot or covered roaster in a low oven of 300 F (150 C). If you add burgers to the sauce as they cook, rotate them so the ones that were cooked first are served first. Use separate utensils so the cooked meat does not come in contact with the raw meat.
When you are finished serving, transfer leftover burgers to a container that can be refrigerated immediately. Do not keep cooked food unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
Household hints
These hints were sent by T.H. of Cupar, Sask.
To keep your phone clean and germ free, regularly wipe it with an alcohol-dampened paper towel.
Wrap crayons several times with masking tape or duct tape and enthusiastic little fingers won’t snap them in two when creating colourful designs.
Betty Ann Deobald is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
