Sebastien Desmarais

Total 53 Posts

Sébastien Desmarais is a Tax and Estate Planner at TD Wealth, Wealth Advisory Services.

Inheritance Tax – Why should you care?

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The Canadian concept of taxing the deceased by deeming a disposition at death is contrary to many countries where the inheritance tax is paid by the heirs upon receiving money or properties from a deceased person. In other words, while Canada taxes the deceased on death, most countries – notably most countries in the European Union (EU) – tax the beneficiaries. Therefore, any proceeds received as a consequence of death….

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Estate Administration, International, Tax Issues

The Buy-Sell Agreement At Death

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Estate and corporate advisors often suggest to shareholders to enter into a shareholders’ agreement. The shareholders’ agreement is essentially a contract where the shareholders plan in advance for certain contingencies or future events for which they are in agreement as to the outcome. Essentially, the shareholders’ agreement governs the shareholders’ relationship and the rules and procedures in case of a dispute or an event, notably, the transfer of shares on….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Small Business, Tax Issues, Wills

Corporately-Owned Insurance, Redemption Obligations and the U.S. Supreme Court

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Canadian estate and tax advisors may want to consider the case Connelly v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 23-146[1] (U.S. 3/27/24).  The U.S. Supreme Court (“SCOTUS”) issued its decision on June 6th and it serves as a good reminder of the implications of corporately-owned life insurance in the context of cross-border tax and estate planning for Canadian estates. The issue focused on the estate tax treatment of corporately-owned life insurance proceeds….

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Estate Planning, Insurance, IRS, Tax Issues, U.S. Citizen, United States, US Taxes, valuation

Taxation at Death & Capital Losses

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Advisors understand that on death, a Canadian resident is deemed to dispose of their assets at fair market value, often resulting in capital gains being triggered.  However, in some instances, capital losses may result. The legal representative of the estate should seek tax advice early if capital losses are triggered on death or if the deceased has capital losses from previous tax years.  There may be a strategic opportunity to….

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Estate Planning, Tax Issues

Beneficiary of a U.S. Estate – Now What?

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What are the tax implications if you are a beneficiary of a U.S. estate? Rarely do we consider the implications of a Canadian resident inheriting from a U.S. estate. From a Canadian Tax Perspective The general rule is the Canadian beneficiary shall receive their inheritance tax-free since the U.S. estate is deemed to have acquired the assets at fair market value (i.e. cost-base step-up). Further, if the executor is a….

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Estate Planning, International, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Trusts, United States

Estate & GST/HST Clearance Certificate

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Section 270 of the Excise Tax Act (the “ETA”) requires a legal representative of an estate to apply for a GST/HST clearance certificate. This is to obtain confirmation that all outstanding GST/HST owing has been paid and satisfied prior to the final distribution of the deceased’s assets. Indeed, if the deceased was a GST/HST registrant (as an example, was operating a sole proprietorship at the time of death) and had….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Trustee
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