Tax News

Advanced solutions for charitable giving: Trusts, annuities and beyond

(December 2005) The holiday season is a time when many of your clients will be considering how they can give back to their communities, and will look to you for advice on how they can make contributions to the causes closest to their hearts, without breaking the bank. In the first two installments of this […]

By Dave Ablett |December 16, 2005

4 min read

Tax News

Using life insurance for charitable giving

(December 2005) Many of your clients may not be aware of the opportunity to make charitable donations through new or existing life insurance policies. Beyond providing significant financial support to the recipient, a gift of insurance provides an advantage in tax and estate planning since the donation may be structured in such a way as […]

By Dave Ablett |December 2, 2005

4 min read

Tax News

Creditor protection: Barring entry

(December 2005) Creditor protection may soon be coming to an RRSP near you. This is great news for small business owners or professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, because when it comes to estate planning, these clients often cite the issue of creditor protection as their biggest concern. While insurance products in most provinces already […]

December 1, 2005

6 min read

Tax News

Beyond cash: Considering alternative avenues for charitable contributions

(November 2005) According to Statistics Canada, 5.8 million Canadians made charitable contributions in 2004 to the tune of $6.9 billion, a 6.3% increase from 2003. These donations help to support in excess of 80,000 registered charities in this country, which include charitable organizations, churches, hospitals, medical research foundations and museums. Registered charities provide vital services […]

By Dave Ablett |November 21, 2005

4 min read

CRA rules on group RRSP settlements

(October 2005) Advisors are no doubt familiar with the ever-looming threat of being hit with a lawsuit from a disgruntled investor who experiences losses in his or her investment account and then proceeds to sue his or her advisor for “inappropriate investing.” A recent Canada Revenue Agency Advance Income Tax Ruling (2005-0118591R3) released last month […]

October 26, 2005

3 min read

Estate failure remarkably common

Have you taken the client through an estate planning process? Effective estate plans follow a clearly defined process, from step to step until completion. This results in a clear, coordinated plan that demonstrates a consistent purpose, and deals with the various aspects of the client’s wealth in its entirety. Have you encouraged an honest discussion […]

By Thane Stenner |October 26, 2005

3 min read