Estate Planning

Canada has no inheritance tax, but a deemed disposition of most assets at death can create a significant tax bill. Planning ahead reduces it.

How we help

• Estimating tax on death and planning to reduce it
• Final (terminal) returns and estate (T3) returns for executors
• Ontario Estate Administration Tax (probate) and multiple-will strategies, coordinated with your lawyer
• Spousal rollovers and planning for registered plans and principal residences

Trusts can protect assets, provide for family members and support succession — with careful attention to the tax rules.

How we help

• Family (inter vivos) trusts and testamentary trusts
• T3 trust returns and expanded trust reporting requirements
• Planning around the 21-year deemed disposition rule
• Distributions to beneficiaries in Canada and abroad
• Alternative Minimum Tax for trusts, which generally get no basic exemption

Lock in today's value for yourself and let future growth accrue to the next generation.

How we help

• Estate freezes using section 86 or section 85 reorganizations
• Transferring real estate or shares to family members
• Attribution rules, land transfer tax and other costs of a transfer

Life insurance can fund taxes at death and move wealth efficiently — especially when owned through a corporation.

How we help

• Corporate-owned life insurance and the capital dividend account
• Funding tax liabilities and equalizing inheritances
• Reviewing existing policies in your overall plan

Planning the transfer of a family business to the next generation or to a buyer.

How we help

• Succession options — family, management or third-party sale
• Lifetime capital gains exemption and family business transfer rules, including the AMT impact of claiming the exemption
• Holding company and trust structures for succession