Akua Carmichael, LL.B, J.D., TEP, is director, tax and estate planning services, with Empire Life. Akua.Carmichael@empire.ca
Akua Carmichael, LL.B, J.D., TEP, is director, tax and estate planning services, with Empire Life. Akua.Carmichael@empire.ca
When a person dies leaving a will in Ontario, it isn’t uncommon for the executor of the estate to apply for a certificate of appointment of estate trustee with a will, a legal process where courts confirm the validity of the deceased’s will, and the executor’s authority to act on behalf of the estate. An […]
When advising clients on making a will, it isn’t uncommon to discover they have assets in foreign jurisdictions. That being the case, advisors need to know how to deal with issues that may arise from having overseas wealth. Consider the following scenario. Mary is a Canadian citizen who lives in Ottawa but spends her winters […]
Investors should still stick with transition-focused investments
It’s tough to take patriotism to the bank
Lack of long-term gains might mean it’s time to exit a stock instead
Better to focus on whether a company is evolving or stagnating
There’s still room for human coaching in investing
A client scenario illustrates pitfalls to avoid with proper planning
Challenges for business-owner clients include taxable disposition and compliance costs
Failure to comply with new tax rules could result in penalties
Help your client consider tax-preferential treatment, donation of shares and AMT
Business owners planning for succession must meet certain criteria
For the best tax treatment, distinguish between current and capital expenses
A client scenario with a family cottage shows the importance of planning
Avoid bloopers when designating a charity as policy beneficiary
Advisors in breach of provincial regulations could face sanctions
If your business-owner client uses these trusts, special planning is required
Watch out for these issues
If your client is an affected owner, they must file a UHT return by Oct. 31 to avoid penalties
Interest deductibility may be at stake
The rules are restrictive and deductions require the employer’s support
The process of selling losing investments is fairly straightforward
The amount has been falling in real terms
Clients are paying in but increases to benefits remain minimal for now
Three case studies to help clients choose when to begin their benefits
The higher the inflation rate, the bigger the benefit of waiting
Failure to report foreign-source income can result in high penalties
Help your client benefit from these important tools
These initiatives can help clients enter the housing market
Use these tips to make the most of a donation tax credit
Help clients realize a capital loss while maintaining market exposure
Transactions, including property flipping, require proper tax reporting
A client scenario illustrates whether withholding taxes apply
Tax rules offer flexibility when a client has both a spouse and a common-law partner
Is the latest ETF craze too good to be true?
Some good news — but mostly bad
Widespread awareness has not translated into widespread impact
New risks and rewards from Canada’s second-largest sector
Case study explains the consequences
Tax tips when tapping the Bank of Mom and Dad
Indexing helps your clients’ after-tax income keep pace
Help clients turn investment losses into a tax win
A Tax Court case led to a hefty tax bill
Federal Court case is the latest reminder of the costs
A Tax Court case offers a warning about missing corporate returns
A lack of understanding about spousal RRSP limits was no excuse
The demise of the financial advice industry has been predicted frequently over the past quarter century. But you’re still here — and so are we.
The advice channel’s survival depends on seasoned veterans who are willing to impart knowledge
Editorial: Financial firms still have work to do in acknowledging their role in systemic racism
Advisor's Edge asked 20 banks, asset managers, insurers and advisory firms how they are addressing anti-Black racism
Court decision serves as a warning about property distribution, executor renunciation
A sample scenario illustrates the savings
Help your client claim these non-refundable tax credits
A sample case illustrates the impacts for the surviving spouse
A case study explains the challenges
Addressing estate planning’s ignored middle child
Keeping it in the family and maintaining harmony
A recent court case illustrates the risks that come with longer lives
The traditional idea is increasingly outdated
What I learned from taking four firms’ personality or behavioural assessments
Building trust remotely is still a challenge
The loss of that loathsome ritual may be contributing to stress
Creating value by shrinking
Claims of novel technology are at the centre of many collapses
When does accounting become important?
Use the fraud triangle to root out problem investments
Help business-owner clients manage foreign dividend investments
It’s time to stress-test client portfolios
Don’t underestimate the behavioural element
Using historical returns to forecast a recovery