Over the last few months I have attended two 90th birthday parties. Both had a common theme for me, which was how good it is to have family and friends around. Both of these 90 year old gentleman are still sharp, engaging and while less active than they once were, they maintained the same sparkle in their eyes that I had known for some time. They both said that while….
You are as old as you feel, or are you? Continue Reading »
Elder CareA battle has been waging in Canada since 2012 over “political activities” by registered charities. The previous Federal Government initiated an audit by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) of 60 registered charities, which was discontinued in 2017 by the current government. On July 16, 2018, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down the limitations as unjustifiable restriction of a charity’s freedom of expression. On August 15, the Government of….
Charities and Political Activities Continue Reading »
Estate Donations, Philanthropy/Charitable GivingIn my last blog I described some important changes to the Ontario Disability Support Program (“ODSP”). Specifically, I looked at certain provisions of Ontario Regulation 278/18 (“Amending Regulation”), which amended Ontario Regulation 222/98, the General ODSP Regulation (“ODSP Regulation”), to: eliminate the $10,000 limit on voluntary payments to ODSP recipients in any 12-month period, which include payments from a trust, payments from a life insurance policy, and gifts; and designate….
Update: Ford Government Rolls Back Changes to ODSP General Regulation Continue Reading »
UncategorizedThis fact scenario is based on a situation presented to me recently and I appreciated the opportunity to being “re-educated” on the tax treatment of pension plan lump sum payments. A taxpayer’s spouse retires as a teacher and elects to start receiving her guaranteed pension. A couple of year later, the spouse passes away from cancer and the taxpayer being the beneficiary of his spouse’s pension plan elects to receive….
PENSION PLAN LUMP SUM PAYOUTS Continue Reading »
Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, In the News, Tax Issues, Uncategorized, Wills
I am one of the lucky ones. I like what I do and I enjoy my work very much. The counsellors who work with me say the same thing and while we do deal with much sadness, we always try and find the positive in our daily work. This is one such story. Mark is a 90 plus year old gentleman who was a very accomplished executive. We met Mark….
A Feel Good Story Continue Reading »
Power of AttorneyPlease note, this blog has since been updated here. In my last blog, I began looking at the treatment of the “matrimonial home” under the Ontario Family Law Act, and promised to continue that discussion in my next blog, which of course is this blog. I have decided to put that discussion over to my next blog, and instead discuss some recent and, more importantly, very good, news for individuals….
Welcome Amendments to the ODSP General Regulation Continue Reading »
Disability, Estate Planning