We publish articles and helpful information bulletins to provide answers and commentary to frequently asked tax, financial, insurance, investment and estate planning questions. Our goal is to help educate you about the financial and insurance industry, to better understand what you need and want.
To view the articles currently available please click the titles below:
- Trustee Investment Duties
As fiduciaries, executors and trustees owe numerous duties to both the estate and to its beneficiaries. This article addresses a particular trustee duty, namely the duty to invest the trust property. A trustee is required to obey the trust deed Often, a trust deed will contain a specific term limiting the trustee’s investment ...continue reading - Part 2 - TFSA Designation at Death... Simple? Nope!
In Part 1 of the articles, I highlighted the importance of choosing a benefactor for your TFSA and the tax outcome with each type. I will continue with the three remaining methods of how to transfer your TFSA upon death. Designation of an “Exempt Contribution” by a surviving Spouse/Common-Law Partner who Inherits the ...continue reading - TFSA Designation at Death…Simple? Nope!
The introduction of the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) from the Conservative government in 2009 provided all Canadians with the opportunity to accumulate monies tax-sheltered and tax-free upon withdrawal. It can be a great source of tax-free retirement income preventing or minimizing the Old Age Security (OAS) claw back. To maintain the inherent ...continue reading - Changes to Ontario's Estate Administration Tax Act
From Jan. 1, 2015 various changes relating to the Estate Administration Tax Act have become effective. While these changes seem administrative in nature, a deeper look reveals they can make estate administration and the probate process more onerous, costly and time-consuming. This makes it critical for Ontario residents to carefully plan their ...continue reading - If you have the choice, what should you choose, Dividends or Salary?
The inspiration for this article came from a friend, an incorporated physician and director of a prominent downtown clinic. The last time I visited him, the topic of tax efficiency and pensions came up. I asked if he paid into CPP. He confidently claimed that he did not and explained that he drew ...continue reading - Is Your Tax-Free Savings Account a Missed Opportunity?
Tax Free Savings A Tax-free Savings Account (TFSA) is a missed opportunity for many Canadians who have either not set up a TFSA or are using it to hold low interest GICs. The attraction of a TFSA is tax-free investment growth (interest, dividends and capital gains) without any income reporting for tax purposes ...continue reading - Use the Waterfall Wealth Transfer Concept to Benefit 3 Generations
How would you like to invest money on a tax sheltered basis that you could access if needed and also be able transfer wealth tax-free to your child and your grandchild when you decide? In other words, create something like a trust without having to worry about the rules and tax issues ...continue reading