Tax

Capitalizing on corporate mutual funds

Mutual Fund Corporations have been around for some time now but they really exploded on the scene about 15 years ago. Their popularity was sparked by astute advisors and clients looking for ways to reduce income taxes on investments. As a refresher, a mutual fund corporation is a single entity which establishes multiple share classes […]

By Frank Di Pietro |August 19, 2010

5 min read

Tax News

Avoiding questionable expenses

How careful are you, as an advisor, in ensuring the business expenses you claim each year at tax time are appropriate, reasonable and properly documented? A recent tax case decided in April (Platis v The Queen, 2010 TCC 150) involved Toronto advisor Peter Platis, a commissioned commodities and foreign exchange broker employed by Refco Futures […]

By Jamie Golombek |August 16, 2010

3 min read

Tax News

Immigrating can be taxing

There are a variety of income tax consequences associated with immigration to Canada. But with a little planning, tax savings can be had, both currently and in the future. On becoming a resident of Canada, an individual is deemed to have disposed and reacquired most capital property owned immediately prior to establishing residence for proceeds […]

By Gena Katz |August 11, 2010

3 min read

Industry

Selling business shares

There are opportunities clients should certainly take advantage of to shelter or defer the tax on those gains

By Gena Katz |August 10, 2010

3 min read

Spousal loan pitfalls

Much has been written about the opportunity for family tax savings that can be achieved by shifting investments from a high taxpayer spouse (“spouse” also refers to a common-law partner) to a lower taxpayer spouse. One of the more popular strategies is the use of a spousal loan. This process requires the borrowing spouse to […]

6 min read

Legacy of the family cottage

Jumping off the dock in the noonday sun, paddling a canoe in the late evening alongside the loons and roasting marshmallows on the bonfire late at night: the beloved cottage is a magical place for many Canadian families. Indeed, in many parts of the country, real estate values of cottages, cabins and other waterfront recreational […]

6 min read

OAS clawback

If I received and subsequently invested a loonie for every client who has bemoaned the dreaded clawback of Old Age Security benefits because their retirement income is too high, the income ultimately generated from that investment alone could be enough to wipe out my own entire OAS benefits! The OAS program is an important component […]

3 min read

Withdrawal strategies

Here is a situation that could be described as a financial advisor’s dream. An advisor has been referred a well-to-do retired couple who are seeking a second opinion on their finances. Their main goal, naturally, is to generate enough income to keep them in the style to which they have become accustomed. But, they also […]

6 min read

Selling small business shares

Almost every succession plan for business owners involves the disposition of corporate shares. It might happen as part of an estate freeze, other reorganization or an outright sale to the next generation. Although share dispositions, including sales and transfers, often result in the realization of capital gains, there are opportunities clients should certainly take advantage […]

By Gena Katz |July 12, 2010

3 min read