Karim Visram - Bonus Educational Bulletins

The Tax Free Savings Account

How the TFSA can help you reach your financial goals... read more

Saving for the Purchase of Your Home

As the cost of owning a home continues to rise, many are prioritizing saving funds to... read more

Succession Planning for Your Canadian Vacation Property

Vacation properties go by many... read more

New Year Financial To-Do

At the beginning of the year, many of us go through an annual ritual of setting resolutions. Improving health is often high on... read more

Different Forms of Corporation

Generally, a business may be structured and operated in a number of ways; three common ways are: a sole proprietorship, a partnership and... read more

Health Care

Tax, financial and retirement planning will always play a key part at every stage of your career, whether you're a new... Read more

Changes to trust reporting requirements

Are you an executor or a trustee, including a bare trustee? If so, you should be aware that the reporting requirements. ... read more

Bond Taxation

This article provides an overview of the tax treatment of interest-bearing bonds held in a non-registered account. ... read more

Comparing saving options

There are a number of tax-efficient options for Canadians when it comes to saving for the future. For those who don't have... read more

Changes to trust reporting requirements

Are you an executor or a trustee, including a bare trustee? If so, you should be aware that the reporting... read more

Debt swap and debt conversion strategies

Do you own a home that's financed with a mortgage? If so, it's likely that the interest on that mortgage is not deductible... read more

Transferring a foreign pension plan to your RRSP or RRIF

This article discusses transferring a foreign pension plan to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or... read more

2023 year-end tax planning

As year-end approaches, taking some time to review your financial affairs may yield significant tax savings. To ensure that you leave... read more

Transferring a U.S. retirement plan to your RRSP or RRIF

This article discusses transferring your U.S. retirement plan to your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or... read more

Joint ownership accounts

As part of the estate planning process, individuals will often consider establishing a joint account with one or more of their adult children or... read more

Donations of art: What to consider when planning for your collection

Do you own works of fine art that you've collected over time? Are you thinking it might be time to donate... read more

Maximizing impact: Exploring the "five Ts" of charitable giving

In a world where charitable giving can play a crucial role in addressing social challenges, many individuals... read more

The RBC Charitable Gift Program

The RBC Charitable Gift Program is designed to make it easy to support charitable causes that are important to you, while potentially receiving significant... read more

Establishing an RESP

With the high cost of post-secondary education, many parents and other family members recognize the need to save for education well before the expenses become... read more

Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) maturity options

Although you may wind up your RRSP at any time, you're required to mature your RRSP by December 31 of... read more

Tax planning checklist for students

If you're a student or are considering a return to school, you may want to take advantage of the tax credits and deductions that may be available to you as a student... read more

RCAs for players of Canadian NHL teams who retire outside of Canada

Although Canadian athletes may incur Canadian income taxes as high as 54%, proper tax planning for athletes... read more

Canadian non-resident withholding tax

If you're a resident of Canada for tax purposes, you're taxable in Canada on your worldwide income. However, if you're a non-resident of Canada... read more

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)

Your RRSP will likely represent a key source of your retirement income. The savings you accumulate in your RRSP over the years can be converted to ... read more

The Spousal Loan Strategy

The spousal loan strategy is a method of income splitting that may enable couples to lower their overall family tax bill by... read more

RRIF Payments and Withdrawals

You can think of a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) as an extension of your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). Your RRSP is used... read more

Investment Holding Companies

When it comes to earning investment income through a corporation, you need to consider both corporate taxes and personal taxes when you... read more

Income splitting checklist

If you have a spouse who earns less income than you or children with little to no income, you may want to consider implementing an income splitting strategy...Read more

Planning considerations when entering a new relationship

Planning life with a partner is quite different than planning just for yourself. You and your partner may have distinct ideas...Read more

Incorporate or not

As a sole proprietor, you may wonder whether to incorporate your business. While incorporating is good for some, not all businesses will benefit from a corporate structure...Read more

Succession planning for your Canadian vacation property

Vacation properties go by many names: cottage, chalet, camp, cabin or secondary home, for example...Read more

U.S. residency - Canadians traveling to the U.S.

If you're a Canadian who spends substantial time in the U.S., you may be required to file a U.S. income tax return...Read more

Transferring capital losses to your spouse

If your spouse has unrealized capital losses and you have taxable capital gains, your spouse may be able to transfer those losses...Read more

When should you review your Will or estate plan?

Reviewing and updating your Will and estate plan is essential not only on the birth of your first child but upon...Read more

Working with professional advisors to deliver integrated wealth management

Our approach to partnering with a client's trusted professional advisors... Read more

Principal residence

A home is often the single largest purchase made by Canadians and an asset that can appreciate significantly... Read more

Saving for the purchase of your home

As the cost of owning a home continues to rise, many are finding it more and more difficult to save up enough funds...Read more

Estate planning for TFSA

Throughout your life, many opportunities and choices will arise that have financial implications - both for the short and long term... Read more

Wealth management needs of medical professionals

Much of the expertise you would normally expect to find only within a family office is now available through your RBC advisor... Read more

Tax and estate planning considerations on relationship breakdown

A breakdown of your relationship can have a number of legal, tax and estate planning implications... Read more

The cash damming strategy

If you own an unincorporated business or a rental property, you may be able to take advantage...Read More

First home savings account

The FHSA is a mix between a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) and a tax-free savings...Read More

Wealth planning strategies during a market downturn

In an economic climate that is constantly evolving and changing, this article presents key wealth planning strategies...Read More

Foreign withholding tax on dividends from foreign equities and American depository receipts (ADR)

When investing in foreign equities in any form, there are always additional considerations with respect to foreign withholding tax...Read More

Time to lock in historic low rates

You may be able to reduce your overall family taxes by splitting income with lower-income family members...Read More

Investing in real estate

Many Canadians own real property in addition to their principal residence. These investment properties...Read More

Testamentary trusts

It’s common to distribute your assets on death outright to your loved ones. A testamentary trust...Read More

Is the metaverse the next digital frontier?

As the global pandemic has forced societies to engage far more digitally than ever before...Read More

Henson Trusts

The following article considers the use of a Henson Trust as an estate planning tool to provide... Read More

Registered disability savings plan (RDSP)

The RDSP is designed to assist an individual with a disability in saving for their long-term financial... Read More

Estate planning for beneficiaries with disabilities

Regardless of your circumstances, it’s essential to have an estate plan that reflects... Read More

Tax planning for persons with disabilities

If you are a person with a disability or care for and support a person who has a disability, it is important... Read More

Income splitting checklist

If you have a spouse who earns less income than you or children with little to no income, you may want... Read More

Transferring future growth of a security to your spouse

If you hold a security that you expect will significantly increase in value and you’d like to have its future appreciation... Read More

Financial planning and tax for a professional athlete

For professional athletes, implementing financial planning and tax planning early in your career is essential... Read More

Individual Pension Plans

To enhance the retirement income of an incorporated business owner...Read More

U.S. estate tax for Canadians

Did you know that Canadians owning U.S. property such as stock of a U.S. corporation...Read More

Canadian owners renting or selling U.S. real estate

Each year, many Canadian snowbirds escape the often long and cold winter by flocking...Read more

U.S. estate tax: Canadians owning U.S. real estate

Due to a warmer climate and Canada’s close proximity to our American neighbours...Read More

Escalating tensions

After several weeks of escalating tensions, on February 21, 2022 Russia announced that it would recognize two...Read More

Russian roulette

Headlines around Russia and their heightened military presence on the Ukrainian border have been increasingly...Read More

Spheres of influence

With the clock ticking on a diplomatic solution, we discuss how the crux of the current geopolitical tensions...Read More

Client guide to 2021 tax reporting and sample tax package

This guide summarizes the important dates and required tax information to help prepare your annual tax return...Read More

How tax-related campaign promises may impact you

With the Liberals re-elected as a minority government, they will need to seek support from other parties...Read More

Formalized donation options

Beyond a direct gift to a charity, there are many other ways you can support the causes ...Read More

Intergenerational transfer of family business

Bill C-208 was introduced by Mr. Maguire, MP, as a private member’s bill which has made its way through Parliament... Read More

Alter ego and join partner trusts

You’ve taken a lifetime to accumulate your wealth. You want to ensure that your estate...Read More

Insurance trusts for estate planning

Life insurance can be a versatile tool in an estate plan. For many people, life insurance provides...Read More

Prescribed rate loan strategy- Family Trust

In this webinar, members of RBC Wealth Management Services, Allison Marshall, CPA, CA, Vice President, HNW Planning Services and Financial Advisory Support... Watch Here

The financial impacts of losing a spouse

Having your spouse pass away is a difficult and likely overwhelming experience, and coping with the emotional aspects is just one step in a long journey...Read More

Withdrawing from an RESP

If you’ve established a registered education savings plan (RESP), you may now be wondering how you can access... Read More

2020 Tax preparation reminders

With the 2020 personal income tax return filing deadline fast approaching, this is a great time to see if you’re taking... Read More

Planning for a possible increase to the capital gains inclusion rate

Increased government spending has been essential in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this may mean that governments will need to find a way to boost revenues...Read More

2020 year-end tax planning: Opportunities to reduce your 2020 tax bill

As year-end approaches, taking some time to review your financial affairs may yield significant tax savings. To ensure that you leave no stone unturned...Read More

Alter ego and joint partner trusts for U.S. persons

U.S. persons living in Canada who are thinking about implementing an alter ego trust (AET) or joint partner trust (JPT) should be aware of both the Canadian and U.S. tax...Read More

How Joe Biden’s U.S. presidential election win may impact Canadian taxpayers

The 2020 U.S. presidential election was held on November 3 and due to an unprecedented voter turn-out, including those who submitted their ballots early and by mail, it took...Read More

Facing Canada’s “uncomfortable truth”: The future of long-term care in Canada

Thank you for attending the exclusive event, Facing Canada’s “uncomfortable truth”: The future of long-term care in Canada, brought to you by RBC Wealth Management Canada... Watch Here

Prescribed Rate Loan Strategy

In this webinar, members of RBC Wealth Management Services, Allison Marshall, CPA, CA, Vice President, HNW Planning Services and Financial Advisory Support, and Prashant Patel, ASA, CFP, TEP, Vice President, Business Owner Specialist, HNW Planning Services, discuss a variety of aspects and details related to prescribed rate loan planning...Watch Here

Signing Documents Electronically with RBC Dominion Securities

eSign is a digital signature solution that enables you to sign account agreements electronically through our eSign application. This guide has been prepared to walk you through the steps Receiving your Initiation Email and Signing into eSign: To begin the eSign process, an initiation email will be sent from...Read More

Webex: First-time user of Cisco Webex Meetings

When you join a meeting for the first time, you will be prompted to download an installer file, which allows you to install the desktop app on your computer. If you can't download the installer file, you can still join the meeting using the web app instead. You don't need to install anything to use the web app – it will launch in your web browser...Read More

Why does asset allocation matter?

Investors often get caught up focusing on what sector, fund, or stock could be the next "big thing". But investors should not lose sight of one of the most important decisions that could impact their long-term investing outcome: their asset mix. A constant source of debate for investors has been the outlook for global equity markets, the direction of interest rates, which sectors to overweight and underweight, and what funds and stocks may ... Read More

2020 U.S. Presidential Elections

As the noisy U.S. presidential election plays out, we look at why investors shouldn’t let the political drama distort their investment strategy. Heading into an election year in the U.S., the prospect of the Democrats recapturing the White House has the potential to become a meaningful source of volatility. With election related headline noise and partisan campaign rhetoric set to materially ramp up over the next year, we believe investors should (1) resist the impulse to make major portfolio adjustments based solely on U.S. political...Read More

Estate Planning for U.S. Transfer Taxes

This article applies to individuals living in Canada who are U.S. persons or who are non-U.S. persons with a spouse who’s a U.S. person. Please ask an RBC advisor for a separate article that discusses whether you are a U.S. person. Estate planning can be especially complex for families who are subject to both the U.S. tax system (including U.S. income tax and U.S. transfer tax) and the Canadian income tax system. To maximize the amount of wealth transferred to your heirs when you pass away, you may want to consider using strategies ....Read More

Client guide to 2019 tax reporting

This guide summarizes the important dates and required tax information to prepare your annual tax return. It also includes a handy list of potential tax slips you may receive from RBC Dominion Securities (depending on your investment holdings and account activity). Access your tax slips online to help make tax time easier for you, your 2019 tax slips are available... Read More

Liberals move forward with proposed income tax savings for middle class

To help individuals cover their basic needs, the Canadian federal government offers non-refundable tax credits that reduce a person’s federal tax liability. One such credit is the basic personal tax credit. This tax credit is calculated by multiplying the Basic Personal Amount (BPA) by 15%. The BPA increases annually with inflation. In 2020, the BPA will be $12,298, which will result in a tax credit of $1,845...Read More

Planning for a possible increase to the capital gains inclusion rate

Following the 2019 federal election, the Liberal Party of Canada formed a minority government and may be reliant on support from another federal party in order to execute on certain measures from their election platform. The support may come from the New Democratic Party (NDP), whose ideologies, particularly their social agenda, are similar to those of the Liberal Party. In their election platform, the NDP proposed to increase the capital...Read More

Wealth planning for healthcare professionals - Starting out on your own

Whether you are a new graduate, working as an associate, running your own practice or approaching retirement, tax, financial and retirement planning will always play a key part at every stage of your career. As your personal, professional and financial situations evolve, you should ensure that you’ve done appropriate planning to help you achieve your goals and objectives throughout the different stages of your professional life...Read More

Wealth planning for health-care professionals - The peak earning years

Wealth Planning for Health Care Professionals - Preparing for Retirement

Whether you are a new graduate, working as an associate, running your own practice or approaching retirement, tax, financial and retirement planning will always play a key part at every stage of your career. As your personal, professional and financial situations continue to evolve, you should ensure that you’ve done appropriate planning to help you achieve your goals and objectives throughout the different stages of your professional life...Read More

Canadian Non-Resident Withholding Tax

If you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes, you are taxable in Canada on your worldwide income. However, if you are a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes, you are only liable for Canadian tax on Canadian source income. While Canadian source income includes income earned from carrying on a business in Canada, rental income from Canadian real estate or Canada Pension Plan retirement benefits, this article only focuses on investment income such as interest...Read More

Tax Planning For Persons With Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability or care for and support a person who has a disability, it is important to be aware of the various tax measures and government funded programs that may be available to you or your loved one. Canadian income tax rules allow certain persons with a disability, and sometimes their financially supportive relatives, to access special tax credits, deductions and savings vehicles. As well, both the federal and provincial governments offer programs that provide benefits to disabled individuals...Read More

Why does asset allocation matter?

Investors often get caught up focusing on what sector, fund, or stock could be the next “big thing”. But investors should not lose sight of one of the most important decisions that could impact their long-term investing outcome: their asset mix. A constant source of debate for investors has been the outlook for global equity markets, the direction of interest rates, which sectors to overweight and underweight, and what funds and stocks may be the winners...Read More

Using a Family Trust for a Prescribed Rate Loan

With the recent increase in tax rates, some individuals may be looking for ways to reduce their family’s overall tax bill. A family trust can be used to implement a prescribed rate loan income-splitting strategy to help reduce a family’s tax burden. This arrangement is typically beneficial for families where one member has significantly more taxable income than the other family members...Read More

Estate Planning for TFSA

Throughout your life, many opportunities and choices will arise that have financial implications — both for the short- and long-term. Looking at these opportunities in the context of your overall financial situation and plan will help you ask the right questions so you can better understand the issues and make the best financial choices. This article discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of naming one or more...Read More

Estate Planning for RRSP

Looking at these opportunities in the context of your overall financial situation and plan will help you ask the right questions so you can better understand the issues and make the best financial choices. This article discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of naming one or more beneficiaries of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)...Read More

Tax-efficient Investing

There are tax-efficient investments and strategies that may enhance your after-tax income and increase the overall rate of return on your investment portfolio. This article discusses a few key components of tax-efficient investing, including maximizing your registered accounts and deferring income through your choice of investments. The government provides tax incentives to encourage individuals to save and plan for the future...Read More

Spousal Loan Strategy

Exploring and quantifying the concept of “wealth management alpha” — the incremental benefit that’s added to your financial situation when recommended strategies are implemented. Jennifer continues to hold the non-registered investment portfolio in her name, and pays taxes on the growth of the portfolio for the next 25 years. In the final year, the portfolio is sold off and converted to cash, resulting in a final after-tax balance of $5,033,709 for the couple....Read More

Family Trust with Prescribed Rate Loan

Exploring and quantifying the concept of “wealth management alpha” — the incremental benefit that’s added to your financial situation when recommended strategies are implemented. The Changs decide to put the $1 million of capital into an investment portfolio in their own name. In pursuing this option, all interest income, dividends and capital gains are taxed in their hands, at their marginal tax rate of 45%...Read More

Charitable Gift Program

Exploring and quantifying the concept of “wealth management alpha” — the incremental benefit that’s added to your financial situation when recommended strategies are implemented. With their annual donations, over the next 40 years, the Smiths will ultimately give $1.4 million to a charity of their choice. Each year, they get a donation tax credit and can re-invest...Read More

Estate Planning for U.S. Transfer Taxes

RRSP Deduction Limit Statement

Shortly after you file your 2018 tax return, you should receive a Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Here's an overview of the RRSP deduction limit statement ("statement") on your NOA to help you determine the amount you can contribute, how much you can deduct on your income tax return and whether you're in an over-contribution position...Read More

Pension Income Splitting

If you or your spouse receives eligible pension income during the year, you and your spouse can split or allocate the eligible pension income for tax purposes. Generally, you or your spouse can allocate an amount of 0% to 50% of the eligible pension income to the other spouse. In order to lower your family’s tax bill, the higher income
earner will generally allocate their eligible pension income to the lower-income earner...Read More

Home Economics

When comparing real estate and equity investments, it’s important to understand the historical growth associated with these different asset classes. A common misconception among many investors is that, historically, real estate has been a better long-term investment than equities. Looking back, however, the data suggests otherwise... Read More

Federal Budget 2019

The Liberal government tabled its pre-election budget on March 19, 2019. The budget announced spending initiatives with a special focus on housing, skills for a changing job market, targeted measures for seniors,
new support for zero-emission vehicles, steps toward implementing national pharmacare, and a commitment to bring high-speed internet to every Canadian home and business...Read More

Investment Holding Companies

When it comes to earning investment income through a corporation, planning can often be complex, as you have to consider the taxes payable in the corporation as well as the taxes payable when withdrawing the funds from the corporation. To help paint a clearer picture, this article identifies and discusses situations where the use of an investment holding company may be beneficial... Read More

Are you thinking of leaving the U.S. tax system?

From a tax perspective, even though you currently reside outside of the U.S., you do still continue to be subject to the U.S. tax system. Depending on your circumstances, this may result in certain U.S. income tax obligations, even if you don’t earn U.S. source income… Read More

U.S. Estate Tax

Did you know that Canadians owning U.S. property such as stock of a U.S. corporation, a yacht in Florida or a ski chalet in Colorado may be subject to U.S. estate tax upon their death? If the value of U.S. property you own upon your death exceeds US$60,000, your estate is required to file a U.S. estate tax return regardless of whether you’ll actually incur a U.S. estate tax liability... Read More

TFSA Quick Tips - 2019

With a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), you can contribute up to your contribution limit each year, earn tax-free interest, dividends and capital gains, and even make withdrawals – at any time, for any reason – without paying tax... Read More

RRIF Payments and Withdrawals

You can think of a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) as an extension of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Your RRSP is used to save for your retirement while your RRIF is used to provide you with retirement income. The main benefit of a RRIF is that it provides you with maximum flexibility in establishing an income stream during your retirement... Read More

Transferring Capital Losses

You and your spouse may make different investment choices. As a result, you may have unrealized capital losses that your spouse may benefit from. This article discusses how you may be able to transfer unrealized capital losses to your spouse which may help lower your overall family tax bill... Read More

Transferring Future Growth

If you hold a security, such as a stock, that you expect will significantly increase in value and you’d like to have its future appreciation taxed in the hands of your spouse rather than in yours, this article discusses a potential tax planning approach that may help you achieve this without triggering the income attribution rules... Read More

Estate Planning For Blended Families

Estate planning is important so that you can retain more of your assets, protect your estate and leave a lasting legacy for your family. Being part of a blended family adds another level of complexity to your estate plan. It will affect how you should divide your assets after your death... Read More

Corporate Executor Services

One of the most important financial planning decisions you will ever make is choosing an executor. If asked by a family member or friend to serve as their executor, most of us would consider it an honour. However, it can be a complicated undertaking to settle an estate according to the deceased’s wishes – one that can seem overwhelming... Read More

Alter Ego and Joint Partner Trust

You’ve taken a lifetime to accumulate your wealth. You want to ensure that your estate is well protected and that your assets are managed according to your wishes, both during your lifetime and beyond... Read More

Living and Family Trust

A living trust can be an effective wealth planning tool in appropriate circumstances, facilitating strategies such as income splitting, business succession planning and charitable giving... Read More

Power of Attorney for Financial & Property Matters

A Power of Attorney (POA) is an essential component of your financial and estate plan. A POA is a versatile document that can be used to assist you in a variety of ways. This article is intended to provide general information on issues relating to the preparation and use of, as well as the risks associated with, POAs for financial and property matters in common-law provinces and does not apply to residents of Quebec... Read More

The Three Uses Of Life Insurance

There are three opportunities to utilize insurance in the process of generating a financial or estate plan. Insurance can be used to bridge gaps in your current financial plan during your working and retirement years, and to help create an estate plan for the efficient distribution of your assets... Read More

Create Wealth and Maximize your Estate with Tax-Exempt Life Insurance

Life insurance has always provided a solid foundation in any financial plan. It provides protection for you and your family in the event of a disastrous situation, and has come to be regarded as a necessary expense in hedging the risk of future financial loss. Have you also considered that life insurance can be another asset within your overall portfolio?... Read More

Taxation of In-Trust Accounts

When you receive the T5, T3 or other tax reporting slips for your in-trust account, you may ask who is required to report the income and capital gains earned in the in-trust account for tax purposes. This article discusses the taxation of such income as well as general tax issues related to these accounts... Read More

Home Buyers' Plan

Most withdrawals from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) are considered taxable income in the year of withdrawal, but there are some notable exceptions, including the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP). Under HBP it is possible to withdraw up to $25,000 from an RRSP to buy or build a home without triggering immediate tax consequences... Read More

Start Receiving your Tax Documents Electronically

RBC Dominion Securities makes it easy for you to access your electronic Tax Documents in a safe and convenient manner. Tax Documents received electronically, is a wonderful way for you to store your information securely, reduce the use of paper and decrease the arrival time of receiving your information... Read More

Viewing eDocuments and setting up eNotifications

From the convenience of your personal computer, smartphone or tablet, you can now securely view your RBC Dominion Securities account statements, trade confirmations and prospectuses in Adobe PDF format. eDocuments are generally available prior to the mailed versions and are identical to the paper versions... Read More

Income Splitting and the Attribution Rules

If you are a high income earner and support family members with little or no income, you may be able to reduce the overall amount of income tax paid by your family by income splitting. Income splitting between family members is recognized as acceptable tax planning but the income attribution rules restrict the use of certain income splitting strategies... Read More

Creating a Lasting Impact

These are just some of the ways many of us give — to our communities, to charitable organizations, to causes that are near and dear to our hearts. Yet while the majority of Canadians — over three-quarters of those age 15 and over — do make some form of charitable donation over the course of the year,1 giving typically tends to be more reactional and sporadic in nature, and most individuals generally don’t incorporate giving into their overall wealth or estate planning... Read More

When Should You Review Your Will or Estate Plan?

We all know the importance of regular health checkups with our doctor or regular car maintenance check ups with our mechanic but when’s the last time you took a look at your Will or estate plan? Is it due for a checkup? Have you experienced any life changes recently that require an update to your Will or estate plan?... Read More

Capital Losses and Tax Loss Selling

Sometimes you may realize a capital loss on the sale of your securities or you may own securities in a loss position. This article summarizes the tax rules and opportunities surrounding capital losses that you have realized or may realize in your non-registered investment portfolio... Read More

Maximizing your retirement benefits with an Individual Pension Plan

An Individual Pension Plan (IPP) is a defined benefit pension plan established by an incorporated company to provide enhanced retirement benefits and important tax advantages for business owners and key employees... Read More

Increasing retirement income with an Individual Pension Plan

An Individual Pension Plan (IPP) is a defined benefit pension plan that must conform to the Income Tax Act (ITA) as well as the requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and is typically established by a company for a single person. By providing the maximum benefits permitted under the Income Tax Act, an IPP generally allows higher tax-deductible contribution amounts than those permitted under an RRSP... Read More

To Incorporate or Not?

As a sole proprietor, you may be wondering whether to incorporate your business. While incorporating is good for some, not all businesses will necessarily benefit from a corporate structure. If you are considering incorporating your business, you should take the time to learn about the possible advantages and drawbacks of incorporation... Read More

JGBRS vs. Joint Accounts

As part of the estate planning process, individuals will often consider establishing a joint account with one or more of their adult children or other family members. Sometimes, this is done as a tool for expediency so that a joint account holder can help to manage the account, or to make the assets immediately available to the surviving accountholder(s) upon the death of the first joint accountholder... Read More

Withdrawing from a RESP

If the beneficiary of the registered education savings plan (RESP) you set up has enrolled or is enrolling in post-secondary education, now is the time to use the RESP for its intended purpose. This article explores the various ways of withdrawing funds from an RESP depending on your circumstances. It also explains issues that may exist for non-resident subscribers and/or beneficiaries of an RESP... Read More

Tax-Free Savings Account

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a flexible savings vehicle. It allows you to earn tax-free investment income which may help you reach your financial goals more quickly. The TFSA complements existing savings plans including your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)... Read More

Principal Residence

A home is often the single largest purchase made by Canadians and an asset that can appreciate significantly over time. In many cases, a family may own more than one home. On the sale of any of these properties, there can be a significant tax liability on the increase in the value of the home, unless the principal residence exemption can be applied to eliminate or reduce the tax liability... Read More

Passive Investment Income

The details of the two new proposed measures are discussed in this article. These proposed measures do not directly impact taxes on passive investment income earned in a corporation. The tax rates applicable to investment income, refundable taxes and dividends remain unchanged... Read More

Determining your tax residency in Canada.

The Canadian income tax system is based on Canadian residency status. A common misunderstanding is that it is based on citizenship or immigration status. You may actually be considered a resident of Canada for income tax purposes even if you are not a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. On the other hand, you may not be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes even if you are a Canadian citizen... Read More

Estate planning for U.S. citizens in Canada

The United States (U.S.) tax system is composed of an estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax, collectively known as the U.S. transfer tax system. The transfer tax system can apply to U.S. and non-U.S citizens living in Canada. Therefore, estate planning must consider both Canadian and U.S. tax laws, making the planning more complex... Read More