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Tax Tips for Canadian Bloggers

10 April, 2018 Nelia 1 Comment


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.

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Shopping: Shopbop Spring 2018 Sale

10 April, 2018 Nelia Leave a Comment


While it’s still cold and miserable outside, I’m here dreaming of summer and I truly hope that it looks and feels like that amazing La Bomba video by Jacquemus. Even if it’s just a fraction as fab, I’ll be a happy girl. And the first step to recreating the essence of La Bomba is to invest in a few chic dresses and jumpsuits I can strut around in this summer. Luckily, Shopbop is having a major sale on their key styles, and they carry Jacquemus too! From April 10th until April 14th, you can get 25% off orders over $500, and 20% off orders under $500 with code EVENT18 on items labeled Key Style.

There are so many trends to choose from this summer, from polka dots, to clean-cut linen, to retro prints, to dainty florals, and Shopbop has the perfect dress (or jumpsuit) with your name on it! Shop my faves after the jump and enjoy La Bomba!


[Read more…]

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H&M Conscious Exclusive Spring 2018 Collection

8 April, 2018 Nelia Leave a Comment


I haven’t been this excited about an H&M collection for a while now, but this year’s H&M Conscious Exclusive Spring 2018 collection is magnificent! Inspired by the “creative home of 19th and early 20th-century Swedish artists Karin and Carl Larsson”, and created using sustainable materials like organic linen, organic cotton, organic silk, TENCEL, recycled polyester, recycled silver, and ECONYL (100% regenerated nylon fiber made from fishnets and other nylon waste), the collection is chock-full of really beautiful clothes and accessories.

And since I put myself on a bit of a shopping ban, I’ll have to be very choosy about the pieces I end up buying. Right now, I am really loving the green jacquard dress, the dark blue suit, and the beautiful flower ring. The printed metallic mini dress is also top of my list.

What do you think about H&M Conscious Exclusive Spring 2018 collection? Are you as excited as I am? Share your favourites in the comments!




More after the jump!
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Shopping: Holt Renfrew Contemporary Treehouse

19 March, 2018 Nelia Leave a Comment


Spring can’t come soon enough, but for now, I am slowly but surely assembling my dream spring wardrobe, so that when the temperatures finally hit the double-digits, I’ll be ready! Plus, I am so sick of sweaters and coats, that shopping for dresses feels somehow therapeutic. The other day, I got to preview Holt Renfrew’s newly updated women’s contemporary floor at their Bloor St location, and it was everything I needed and more for spring. Inspired by the “architectural structure, warmth and magical escape of treehouses”, the floor has been transformed into a bright and inviting space, featuring visual elements such as chipboard finishes, ash veneer beams, and wooden vignettes…and stocked to the brim with a ton of cool new contemporary brands.

There’s an abundance of cool denim brands like RE/DONE (my fave!), Outland Denim, Grlfrnd, Mother Denim, and so much more. It’s the perfect one-stop-shop for those looking to invest in a new pair this season. As someone who lives in dresses in the summer, I was immediately drawn to racks upon racks of beautiful spring frocks. I tried on printed silk dresses from RIXO London, boho maxis from BA&SH, and the playful styles by Ganni..and I loved them all!

If you’re looking for a new bag this season, there are several uber-chic options from cool brands like Staud and Cult Gaia – accessories with a ton of style and reasonable price tags. I already wrote about this spring’s ethically-made H Project arrivals, which you can also find at Holt Renfrew’s Contemporary Treehouse.

If you haven’t visited the Bloor St location in a while, make sure to stop by soon – from the CHANEL Coco Game Center on the concourse level, to the Contemporary Treehouse on the top floor, there’s lots of exciting things to see and do at Holt Renfrew on Bloor St…and with the new Colette Grand Cafe coming soon, it’s about to get even better.



More after the jump!
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You Are Invited: CHANEL Coco Game Center at Holt Renfrew in Toronto

15 March, 2018 Nelia Leave a Comment

coco-game-center-toronto-holt-renfrew
If you live in Toronto, I have great news for you! The new CHANEL Coco Game Center has arrived at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street and will be open until April 15th. This amazing CHANEL Beauty pop-up features actual arcade games you can play, while getting acquainted with the brand’s latest beauty launches like the new Rouge Coco Lip Blush ($37) – a versatile product that you can use on your lips and your cheeks for a pop of colour and hydration, and available in 6 covetable shades.

While at the Coco Game Center, you can play The Bubble Game for a chance to win Hydra Beauty skincare samples, express services, and one-of-a-kind gifts, take The Beauty Ride in the Coco Car, take a break at The CHANCE Lounge to discover the various facets of CHANCE fragrances (my personal fave is Eau Vive!), and of course, play Rouge Coco – The Game where you can win prizes and get a lippie touch-up while you’re at it.

Coco Game Center was inspired by the playful arcades of Japan, and so far, only Tokyo and Toronto get to experience everything Coco Game Center has to offer. How cool is that?! Along with the fun games and installations, you can get personalized consultations, touch-ups, and beauty recommendations from the CHANEL beauty experts, and of course everything in the beautiful pop-up is extremely photogenic and instagrammable.

Coco Game Center will be open until April 15th, so you have less than a month to enjoy this amazing CHANEL Beauty experience! Game on!

coco-game-center-toronto-holt-renfrew
coco-game-center-toronto-holt-renfrew
More after the jump!
[Read more…]

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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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