There are several ways to extract funds from a business; salary, dividend, bonus or a shareholder loan. When a shareholder withdraws corporate funds by way of a shareholder loan, it will be recorded in the business financial statements and comes with tax implications to the shareholder. This is because, a…
On the de VRIES LITIGATION LLP website, I previously blogged about orders for contempt and the nuances associated with seeking and obtaining this declaratory relief. This blog will take the discussion a step further and look at what penalties may be imposed upon a contemnor; in particular, the discussion will…
Today’s blog has been guest written by Musa Mansuar, Articling Student at Fasken LLP It’s a profound moment when a parent asks you to be the executor of their estate. For many, it’s a conversation that carries both honour and gravity. On one hand, being chosen signals immense trust and…
Death will affect every one of us, ultimately. Incapacity may impact us. The inevitability of death and the possibility of incapacity makes planning essential. Failure to plan is planning to fail. This inevitability is behind recent Law Society of Ontario (“LSO”) By-law amendments that require lawyers in private practice to…
The holiday season is often filled with visiting family, friends and relaxation. It can be that rare moment in the year where our fast-paced lives are put on hold, allowing for an opportunity to regroup and tackle important tasks we’ve been postponing throughout the year. Much like you would schedule…
Patents What is the symbol of a true gentleman, if not his moustache? The moustache guard was patented in 1876 to protect the user’s moustache during holiday feasts. It was described in the patent application as a “curved and concave shield, which may be made of vulcanized rubber, metal or…
Some of you may have read the article written by my colleague, Demetre Vasilounis, back in June of this year about Valve’s incredibly popular game distribution platform, Steam. The platform is selling their games as licences, not as owned games, much to the surprise of the gaming community. This was…
Exculpatory clauses or indemnity clauses in wills and trusts are common forms of protection provided to the trustees by testators and settlors. When a trustee is appointed under a testamentary or inter vivos trust document to administer and manage an estate or a trust, some consider it to be an…
As a follow-up to my last article on key filing deadlines for estates, this article discusses tax penalties and interest. For executors, missing a tax deadline can come with serious tax implications, notably the application of a penalty and interest. Late Filing Penalty Under the Income Tax Act, there are…
November is Make a Will month. It is reported that more than 55% of Canadians are without a Will. Still, it is a must-have for anyone with property or assets. While a Will may anchor an estate plan, it is only executed when you pass away. Even more compelling is…