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Three Smart Levers to Cut Your 2025 Tax Bill

Taxes are inevitable, but overpaying them isn’t. With new rules and opportunities in 2025, smart planning can help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Here are three effective levers to reduce your tax liability this year: 1. Maximize Retirement Contributions Contributing to retirement accounts such as RRSPs (Canada) or 401(k)/IRAs (U.S.) remains one of the most effective ways to lower taxable income. Contributions qualify for tax relief at your highest marginal rate, meaning every dollar you save reduces your tax bill significantly. Employer-matching programs make this even more attractive, and withdrawals in retirement can be structured for lower tax exposure. 2. Leverage Tax Credits and Deductions Common deductions include childcare expenses, education costs, and home office claims. Tax credits, unlike deductions, directly reduce the amount you owe, making them especially valuable. Temporary tax breaks introduced in 2025 can be maximized before they expire. 3. Use...
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Money Laundering and How to Protect Yourself from It

 


Money laundering is the illegal process of making large amounts of money generated by criminal activity, such as drug trafficking or terrorist funding, appear to have come from a legitimate source. The process of laundering money typically involves three steps: placement, layering, and integration. There are many ways to launder money, from the simple to the very complex. One of the most common techniques is to use a legitimate, cash-based business owned by a criminal organization. For example, if the organization owns a restaurant, it might inflate the daily cash receipts to funnel illegal cash through the restaurant and into the restaurant’s bank account. After that, the funds can be withdrawn as needed. These types of businesses are often referred to as “fronts”.

To prevent money laundering, most financial companies today have anti-money-laundering (AML) policies in place. The prevention of money laundering has become an international effort and now includes terrorist funding among its targets. Banks are required to report large cash transactions and other suspicious activities that might be signs of money laundering.

If you want to protect yourself from money laundering, here are some tips:

  • Be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for personal information or money.
  • Do not share your personal information with anyone you do not know or trust.
  • Be cautious when investing in new or unfamiliar financial products.
  • Keep your financial information secure and monitor your accounts regularly.
  • If you suspect that you have been a victim of money laundering, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately.


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