Tax Issues

Total 360 Posts

Your Family Trust Has a Non-Resident Beneficiary

In today’s world of international families it is not uncommon for a Canadian family to have one or more members that are non-residents of Canada. When that same family has set up a Canadian discretionary family trust that is intended to benefit its members with, say distributions from a family business, a number of complexities arise for the administration of that family trust.  Often the trustees of such a family….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Tax Issues, U.S. Citizen

The Application for the Disability Tax Credit to be Reviewed: Hallelujah!

As most of you know, the Disability Tax Credit is a credit to income tax otherwise payable, available for those with a severe or prolonged impairment. It is meant to provide some relief from the additional costs and expenses incurred associated with the impairment. It is also referred to by many as a gatekeeper credit because it is a cornerstone to such programs such as registered disability plans, the working….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Dependant Support, Disability, Elder Care, Geriatric Care Management, In the News, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

TFSAs and the Non-resident

With mobility on the rise, it is expected that a person leaving Canada will have to visit the rules on tax-free savings accounts (TFSA) and Canadian tax residency.   Executors may have to consider the TFSA rules if a deceased’s will calls for the transfer of a TFSA account to a non-resident will beneficiary. If a Canadian tax resident has a TFSA and leaves Canada, the accumulated funds may remain in….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues

Estate and Trusts with Foreign Properties and/or Transactions: Update on Reporting Implications

Sometime ago, I wrote that the Income Tax Act requires persons and partnerships to file information returns in respect of foreign property ownership (specified foreign property in excess $100,000) and transactions with non-residents . This extends to trusts and estates. Those who file such a return late or do not file one on demand are liable to a penalty or penalties. Generally speaking, a penalty starts at a minimum of….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Executors, In the News, International, Investments, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized, United States

Occupation of the Principal Residence held in an Alter Ego Trust

The CRA was asked whether the fact that the spouse of the settlor/beneficiary of an alter ego trust inhabits the principal residence of the trust would taint the trust for the purpose of subparagraph 73(1.01)(c)(ii) of the Income Tax Act (“subparagraph 73(1.01)(c)(ii)”). The CRA’s response was favourable. It explained that this is a question of law and fact. However, as long as the terms of the trust satisfy the conditions….

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Tax Issues, Trusts, Wills

Joint accounts – the good and the bad

Earlier this year, my father-in- law left us suddenly.  While my in-laws were careful about planning for this day there was still some Estate Administration Tax (EAT) to be paid on the transfer of assets between spouses.  Armed with that experience, my mother-in-law is determined pay the least amount of EAT and asked about the use of joint accounts. Jointly held property with a spouse or with one or more….

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Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict, Probate Tax, Tax Issues
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