Tax Strategies

International income isn’t always tax-free

It’s common these days for nearly every financial advisor to have at least one client with a foreign connection. That could mean a client with a foreign parent living overseas or a child living in the United States. It could also be a client who has previously lived in Europe and then immigrated to Canada, but still has financial ties with the foreign jurisdiction.

By Jamie Golombek |May 12, 2011

3 min read

Tax News

U.S. transplants face harsh FBAR penalties

In recent years, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has increased its focus on reporting of foreign financial accounts by U.S. persons. This is evidenced by the renewed IRS emphasis on receiving the Form TD F 90-22.1 Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, (also known as FBAR reporting).

By Frank Di Pietro |May 3, 2011

4 min read

Tax News

International income isn’t always tax-free

By Jamie Golombek |April 1, 2011

3 min read

Tax Strategies

Better family inheritance planning

As an advisor, you may run into situations with your clients wherein their estate plans may be challenged by beneficiaries who feel they were not awarded their "fair" share of inheritance. The increased complexity of today’s society (blended families, individual financial arrangements, etc) requires well-documented estate plans.

By Carol Bezaire |March 21, 2011

4 min read

Home Buyers’ Plan troubles

The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) allows first-time home buyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSPs to assist them with the purchase of a home. The funds need to be paid back over a 15-year period. If payment is missed in a particular year, the amount not repaid must be included in the participant’s income for that year.

4 min read

Receipts, records at tax time

We’re about to enter tax season. Not only will clients be calling with tax return preparation questions, but now is also a good time to get a head start on your own tax return by gathering documentation, slips and other records needed to substantiate your own business expenses. A recent tax case (St-Onge v The […]

4 min read

Beware those missing tax slips

Tax slips — whether T4s for employment income, T3s for trust distributions or T5s for investment income — are the CRA’s way of ensuring taxpayers don’t forget to report all their income under Canada’s self-assessment tax system.

3 min read

Home Buyers’ Plan troubles

January 1, 2011

4 min read

The new CPP changes

January 1, 2011 will see the first of a number of changes impacting how clients (and advisors) incorporate Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) retirement benefits into their financial plans. These changes will become effective between 2011 and 2016. Clients who are thinking about retirement need to be informed of the new rules. The benefits will differ depending on client age and earnings history, as well as their ability or desire to work past the age of 60.

By Carol Bezaire |December 7, 2010

4 min read