Tax

Art tops equities, again

When new money finds old masterpieces the result is historic financial performance. As an atypical asset class, art has been steadily growing as a preferred haven for wealthy investors shunning wild swings in stock markets.

By Vikram Barhat |January 9, 2012

2 min read

Industry

2012 Resolution: Educate clients on TFSA

It’s right there on the federal government’s website for the Tax Free Savings Account: “Saving just got a whole lot easier.” Despite that claim, however, Canadians continue to fumble with their TFSA.

By Staff |January 5, 2012

2 min read

Estate Planning

Should your client dodge probate?

Probate-related questions are among the most common questions heard during estate planning discussions. What is probate? Can it be avoided? Should it be avoided? As an advisor, it’s important to be able to answer those questions.

By Floyd Gradley |January 3, 2012

6 min read

Estate Planning

More than an honour

For most Canadians who have prepared a will, the executor was one of the least considered parts of the plan. The vast majority of testators pick a family member or friend, even if this isn’t the wisest choice.

By Elaine Blades |January 1, 2012

6 min read

No sympathy

This past fall saw the release of six Federal Court of Appeal decisions (Stemijon Investments Limited v. A.G. Canada, 2011 FCA 299), involving the Asper Group of companies and their ongoing tiff with the Canada Revenue Agency over egregious penalties charged for the late filing of Form T1135, the “Foreign Income Verification Statement.”

4 min read

Have your cake and write it off

During the early years of my career, I worked in the educational conference field—initially in not-for-profit academia, and later in the very competitive one-day commercial conference segment—delivering tax, insurance and investment content to professionals. Much of this came back to me while reading a recent tax appeal of a CRA reassessment denying deductibility of certain catering expenses.

January 1, 2012

3 min read

Estate planning checklist

Estate planning is an essential part of wealth management. It’s particularly important in cases where your client’s estate involves significant assets (such as cottages or small businesses), complex issues (such as foreign beneficiaries) or multi-faceted relationships (such as blended families).

By Mike George |January 1, 2012

5 min read

Close the gap in your client’s will

Odds are, your clients all have their wills drawn up. Providing for loved ones is a crucial part of financial planning, after all. But a vital piece of that puzzle is missing, according to a survey by BMO Harris Private Banking: custody of minor children.

By Staff |December 15, 2011

2 min read

Tax

Art tops equities, again

2012 Resolution: Educate clients on TFSA

Should your client dodge probate?

More than an honour

No sympathy

Have your cake and write it off

Estate planning checklist

Rental woes

Cut U.S. tax ties

Close the gap in your client’s will