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Tax Tips for Canadian Bloggers

10 April, 2018 Nelia


When I first started blogging, I had so many questions about doing my taxes as a fashion blogger. Am I allowed to claim the outfits I purchase and shoot for the blog as an expense? (Nope!) Do I need to keep all of my paper receipts? (Yup!) Is swag part of my income? (Probably.) If you’re a freelancer, self-employed, or yes, a Canadian blogger, and in need of some tax advice, then this blog post is definitely for you! Here are my top tips for filing taxes and not going crazy in the process.

Get a Receipt Tracker App
Wrangling a year’s worth of paper receipts is my least favourite thing about doing taxes. And while, yes, you do need to keep your paper receipts, organizing them doesn’t have to be an onerous task. There are tons of apps you can download to help you scan, organize, and keep track of your receipts (Neat, Shoeboxed, etc.). And in the meantime, make it a habit to empty out your pockets/purse/wallet of all business-related receipts on a weekly basis and stash them in a box/folder/large zip lock bag, so that they are all in one place when you need them.

Use One Card for All Blog-related Expenses
If you are serious about running your business, then you should try and use a separate credit card for all business-related purchases. I do this, and it makes figuring out my expenses a breeze. I simply download all of my statements in Excel, and the expenses practically calculate themselves. Avoid using cash for business purchases, as you’ll be more likely to forget about those once you’re ready to file. 

Open a Separate Savings Account for Taxes
As a small business owner, you probably don’t have the payroll department to automatically deduct taxes from your income on a bi-weekly basis, but you really should. Avoid the sticker shock of your final tax bill by putting away 30% from each commission/invoice into a separate savings account. This way, you won’t have to stress out about paying your taxes and your bills at the same time. And if your tax bill is less than anticipated, you can celebrate by using the leftover cash on something fun for yourself (or just keeping it in savings if you want to be responsible). 


Hire Experts To Get What’s Yours
The best thing you can do for your sanity and to maximize your refund/minimize what you owe is hiring experts from H&R Block to help you with your taxes, especially if it’s your first time filing as a small business owner. Not only will you get all of your questions answered by someone who actually knows the tax rules and changes, but you’ll get a peace of mind, knowing that an expert prepared your tax return in case you get audited.

Since I’ve been doing my own taxes for a while now, I use the H&R Block online software to file my taxes. There are a lot of super helpful options and features like Auto-Filling your tax info from your CRA My Account (saves me so much time!), Past Return Import, Audit Protection service (if you’re nervous about being audited), lots and lots of helpful hints along the way, and there’s even an Expert Review service (20 or 40 minute phone call to answer any remaining tax questions before you file). I love the simplicity of H&R Block’s online filing software, and it allows me to do my taxes in my own time. I just open the software, and pick up where I left off. You can even see a current vs. prior year tax comparison, to see what amounts have changed from one year to the next. You can choose one of three H&R Block tax software products, with various features included: Free, Assistance ($17.99), and Protection ($27.99). 


Don’t Forget These Deductions
While you can’t claim your outfits as an expense (unless it’s a work uniform that is), you can claim plenty of blog-related expenses, including your cell phone and cell phone bill, domain and web hosting expenses, software used for your business, DIY supplies, photographer fees, even giveaway prizes. I recently wrote a blog post for H&R Block about some dos and don’ts of tax expenses, but you can find a few more you can safely claim below.

  • Domain and Web Hosting Expenses
  • Internet and Cell Phone Fees
  • Laptop, Cell Phone, Camera, Camera Lens, Printer, etc.
  • Home Office Expense
  • Office Supplies and Stationary
  • Blog Design and Templates
  • Software
  • Fonts
  • Stock Photo Fees
  • Giveaway Prizes
  • SEO Services
  • Advertising Expenses
  • Legal and Accounting Fees
  • Business Travel Expenses
  • Business Dining Expenses
  • Props for DIY Projects, Flatlays, Photoshoots
  • Photographer Fees
  • Professional Association Memberships and Subscriptions

Whether you choose to reach out to the experts at H&R Block, learn about a few new deductions, or finally download that app to organize all of your receipts, I hope these tips help you make this tax season as painless as possible, and perhaps even save you money in the process. Let me know if you have any other blog/tax related questions, and I’ll be happy to answer in the comments. Happy Tax Season, everyone!

*This post was created in partnership with H&R Block. All opinions are my own.

La Vie, Random Blogger Tax Tips, Fashion Blogger Tax Tips, Filing Taxes as a Blogger, H&R Block, Tax Advice for Bloggers, Tax Tips for Canadian Bloggers, Travel Blogger Tax Tips

You Are Invited: H&R Block Twitter Chat

2 March, 2018 Nelia


For someone who runs her own business (this little blog right here) and has a full time job, tax season can be a great source of stress and anxiety. How do I maximize my savings? Can I expense certain things? Do I have enough time to file? There are so many things to consider, and even though I actually work in accounting (not tax accounting), I still turn to experts at H&R Block to help me with my taxes and put my mind at ease.

If you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or just a person who needs help with their taxes, then I invite you to join me and the tax-superstars from H&R Block on Tuesday, March 6th at 7pm EST for a Twitter Chat about tax prep options, changes to Canadian tax rules, and all things tax-related. If you have questions for H&R Block tax experts, then this is your chance to clear up any tax confusion, and maybe win some cool prizes while you’re at it. That’s right, we will be giving away five $100 gift cards, and one $250 gift card to our lucky Twitter Chat participants. All you have to do is join the conversation on March 6th between 7pm-8pm EST with hashtag #GetWhatsYours, and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Make sure to mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss out on free tax advice and awesome prizes!

WHAT: H&R Block Twitter Chat
WHEN: March 6th at 7pm-8pm EST
DETAILS: Use #GetWhatsYours to be entered to win one of 5 $100 gift cards, or a grand prize of 1 $250 gift card.

Official Rules after the jump!
[Read more…]

Freebies, Random Blogger Tax Tips, Canadian Taxes, Freebies, Giveaways, H&R Block, H&R Block Canada, Tax Advice for Bloggers, Twitter Chat, You Are Invited

Playing Now: Netflix Dinner Party feat. Yours Truly

17 May, 2017 Nelia


Last month, in a surreal turn of events, I filmed something really fun with Netflix. It wasn’t an actual TV show, but Netflix did build us a set, filmed us with 4 different cameras, and made us feel like the stars that we aren’t.

The premise of the Netflix Dinner Party was simple – our gracious host Andrew Dobson of Dobbernation Loves invited a few friends over for yummy bites and dishy conversation – unscripted and raw. We chatted about our fave Netflix shows like The Crown, Grace and Frankie, Riverdale, Stranger Things, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Santa Clarita Diet, and Orange is the New Black, all while enjoying delicious food, and sipping beer through straws (ridiculous, I know…but lipstick stayed on and that’s all that matters!). We discussed pressing issues like “what would your dream vibrator look like?”, “who would you invite to your royal wedding?”, and “how would you kill your zombie boyfriend?”…After watching the zombie episode, le bf was extra nice to me all week…perhaps because of how quickly I answered that question? Either way, he shouldn’t worry as long as he doesn’t start exhibiting zombie-like symptoms. In other news, my Putin statue went mysteriously missing.

Anyway, now that all 7 mini episodes are available, I thought I’d share them here. Hope you enjoy watching these as much as we enjoyed filming them. If you only choose to watch one…I suggest the “Dream Vibrator” epi, so that you can watch Jonathan say “Netflix and Drill” with a straight face.

Let me know what you think in the comments!


More after the jump!
[Read more…]

La Vie, Random Amanda Blakley, Andrew Dobson, Casie Stewart, Dobbernation Loves, Jonathan M. Schuster, La Vie, Nelia Belkova, Netflix, Netflix Dinner Party, Random

Toronto Life’s Most Stylish Reader!

17 August, 2012 Nelia

Toronto-Life's-Most-Stylish-Reader-Contest

An awesome thing happened today! I was selected as one of 10 Toronto Life’s Most Stylish Readers! And though I am on cloud 9 right now, there can only be ONE winner, and I am really hoping it will be me.

So if you love this blog, and like my style, won’t you please click below to vote for me? You don’t even have to register, or input your email addy…all you have to do is click on Learn More & Vote for Nelia (I am the one in a cute red dress from JACOB), input some captcha characters, and click VOTE! Easy, peasy, right?

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/torontos-most-stylish-reader/

Fingers and toes crossed, y’all! And thanks for your support!

xx

Nelia

Fashion, Organic Style, Random, What I Wore Canadian, Organic Style, Toronto, Toronto Life, Toronto's Most Stylish Reader, What I Wore

Pineapple Bags, etc.

7 May, 2012 Nelia

Bought this H&M Pineapple Bag the other day, and while carrying it home (sans shopping bag), I caught many a-puzzled looks directed at me, or my bag, or the fact that I was also wearing kitty flats, or all of the above. Moral of the story: buying a pineapple bag is the first step to becoming world-famous. So get to it!

What do you think? Would you ever wear one?

Fashion, Random, Shopping Bags, H&M, Shopping, Wishlist

Happy Holidays from Michael Fassbender and I!

27 December, 2011 Nelia

Seems like Elf Yourself has become a holiday tradition here at Style Blog…and this year, I’ve decided to wish you the merriest and the happiest of holidays with a little help from my latest crush – Michael Fassbender. This holiday season, I’ll be catching up on all things Fassy, starting with Jane Eyre…and since making this Elf video was so much fun, I might just make a few more.

Make sure to watch Michael Fassbender in a role of a lifetime below! And hope your holidays are full of silliness and fun!


Random Holidays, Holidays 2011, Hot Men, Michael Fassbender, Wednesday Candy

Happy Valentine’s Day!

14 February, 2011 Nelia

It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is my favoritest holiday ever (no matter single or coupled up). And this year is no exception. I’m hoping that y’all are having a wonderful day too, full of love, laughter, and the best part of all – chocolates! Anyone have special plans for tonight? Romantic dinners, proposals, dancing till the break of dawn? Whatever you do, do it with lurve and style!

xoxos,

Nelia

Events, Random 2011, Events, Holidays, Random, Valentine's Day

Rewind

30 December, 2010 Nelia

January 2010: My friend Jen marries Joe in Houston, TX. Le boyfriend and I attend. Delta loses our luggage, and are extremely unhelpful. All-new outfits are bought at the last minute.

February 2010: Photoshoot with renowned fashion photographer Chris Nicholls! Feeling unbelievably lucky.

Also, a Valentine’s Day trip to Cuba with le boyfriend. Great times in Varadero and Havana.

March 2010: H&M Garden Collection launches. The red rosette dress is finally mine!

April 2010: Surprise birthday trip to Las Vegas for le boyfriend. A first for both of us. Chanel on every corner, like Starbucks. Never want to leave.

Also, my first-ever nephew is born! Not allowed to share his photo until he is 1. But trust me when I say that he’s the best-looking baby in the world!

May 2010: My Yorkdale billboard is up at Yonge and Sheppard. Cannot believe my luck.

June 2010: Another first – birthday trip to Quebec City. Good food, great company, Blanche de Chambly.

July and August 2010: Summer, Taste of the Danforth, Shoes, Love, Beach, Patios, Brunch, The Ex…

September 2010: Florence with le boyfriend for the very first time. Love at first sight.

Also, my first visit to Space in Montevarchi…which is an experience I’ll never forget. Fantastic selection of Prada and Miu Miu at outlet prices.

A lovely trip to Venice. Sweet and short…and amazing. Also, Rome, Milan, and Lugano.

October 2010: God Save The Queen Gala at The Bay. Met Erdem Moralioglu, Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood, Tommy Ton…unbe-freaking-lievable!

November 2010: Lanvin for H&M launches. Got the dresses I wanted. Hooray!

December 2010: My beloved grandfather is gone. Life will never be the same again.

Events, Fashion, Random, Shopping, Travel, What I Wore 2010, Happy New Year, Retrospective

Merry Christmas!

24 December, 2010 Nelia

Merry Christmas, lovelies! May your holidays season be full of love and laughter. May all of your wildest hopes and dreams come true. And may you be surrounded by the closest friends and family this Christmas!

xoxo,

Nelia

Random Christmas, Holidays, Holidays 2010, Random

Interrupted Programming Note

7 December, 2010 Nelia

I just wanted to take a minute to apologize for the lack of posts recently. This past weekend, my beloved grandfather had passed away and left a gaping hole in my heart. I hope you understand if posting will be sparse in the meantime.

Thank you all again for reading. This blog wouldn’t be the same without you.

La Vie, Random Family, Sadness

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WHO IS NELIA?

Nelia Belkova is a Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger by night and a financial analyst by day. She loves to travel, read gossip sites, eat sweets, and cuddle up to her husband and her cat on the couch. Read More…

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