Tax Issues

Total 356 Posts

A Cautionary Tale of (Non)-Compliance

This week I was reminded of the perils of non-compliance, and thought it worthwhile to remind readers of a potential pitfall to be avoided. We are all aware of the many tasks that have to be completed in the course of administering an estate, some obviously on a much more timely basis than others. While there are many items that need immediate attention, worrying about the deceased’s taxes is not….

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Tax Issues

Not All “Trump Bumpf” is Bluster

As part of the ‘Donald’s’ post-election “promises” we heard rumours that US gift and estate taxes were going to be repealed. While we did not see a repeal, we did see a significant change to the rules related to US gift and estate tax. The particular change came forward in the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Specifically, the amendment….

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Estate Planning, IRS, Tax Issues, United States, US Taxes

Form T3010 Registered Charity Information Return and the CRA’s Initiatives

In order for a charity to maintain its charitable status, the Form T3010 Registered Charity Information Return (“T3010 Information Return”) must be filed each year within 6 months following the end of the charity’s fiscal period. Approximately two years ago, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) created an infographic to remind charities of their T3010 deadlines. For example, if a charity’s fiscal year end is January 31, the T3010 Information Return….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Tax Issues

Life Insurance and Contingent Ownership

Ownership of assets into ‘joint tenancy with right of survivorship” is a mechanism of ownership transfer commonly used for estate planning to address such issues as probate fee and tax avoidance. Recently, this blog site very capably addressed the issues surrounding “joint tenancy” of life insurance in particular (“Life Insurance Joint Tenants” by Corina Weigl May 4, 2018), said issues to include partial loss of ownership and control over the….

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Estate Planning, Insurance, Investments, Joint Tenancy, Probate Tax, Property, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

Graduated rate estate – don’t lose it!

A graduated rate estate (GRE) is an estate that arises as the result of the death of a person on or after December 31, 2015, and no more than 36 months after the person’s death. The estate at that time must be a testamentary trust. The GRE designation brings with key benefits such as access to the lower marginal tax rates and simpler and more flexible donation rules.  Perhaps more important in….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Uncategorized, Wills

Inheritances and Taxes – Be Careful Where you Step?

Frequently, I am reminded how careful one has to be with making sure that tax-free inheritances generally maintain their status throughout all steps to liquidate and realize the proceeds. Here is a case in point. In Owen v The Queen (2018 TCC 90), the taxpayer’s father resided in the United States of America and had a US individual retirement account (“IRA”). The taxpayer’s father passed away. The taxpayer and his….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Investments, IRS, Property, Tax Issues, Uncategorized, United States, US Taxes
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