Managing Your Wealth

Pet owners generally view their pet as a faithful companion and a member of the family. But have you considered what will happen if your pet outlives you? Without proper planning, your pet may face an uncertain fate.

If making changes to your estate plan is on your “to-do list,” it is important to be aware of several amendments that were introduced as of January 1, 2022 to estate legislation in Ontario. The Ontario government recently passed the Accelerating Access to Justice Act (“Bill 245”) which includes changes to the way Wills are interpreted and how your Will can now survive you after saying “I Do” at the altar.

This is a helpful resource summarizing important tax, retirement and estate planning information.

As a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., your dedicated BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisor takes pride in helping you manage your wealth and reaching your financial goals. You trust us with your most confidential information, as well as safeguarding the wealth that you’ve worked hard to build. We take this responsibility seriously and have protections in place to safeguard your assets. Beyond our internal controls, BMO Nesbitt Burns is a member of the governing bodies of our industry and, as such, operates its business in strict adherence to the regulations, policies and bylaws dictated by these governing organizations.

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Wealth Themes provides timely articles on a variety of wealth planning topics. This month we focus on the impact of emotional intelligence and behavioural finance on our investment decisions. We also include an article to assist in having healthy discussions about family wealth with your adult children and, with the new school year fast approaching, information on the increased RESP withdrawal limits.

Knowing how tax rules affect your investments is essential to maximizing your after-tax return. In addition, keeping up to date on changes to the tax rules ensures that you take advantage of all the tax savings available to Canadian-resident individuals. This article provides an overview of select strategies to assist you in reducing your tax bill.

Although Canadian snowbirds reside in the U.S. for only a part of the year, there is the potential of being considered a U.S. resident and, in turn, having to pay U.S. income tax on the same basis as a permanent U.S. resident. This article outlines how the U.S. government determines whether you are a resident for income tax purposes; namely, it covers the criteria for meeting the Substantial Presence Test, Closer Connection Exception and the Canada U.S. Income Tax Treaty Tie-Breaker Rules.

Towards the end of the year, many investors review their investment portfolios to determine the anticipated tax impact of any capital gains and losses realized during the year. For investors who have realized significant capital gains, this article examines various strategies to help reduce the impact of a potential tax liability of these gains, regardless of whether they were the result of a voluntary or involuntary sale.

Having a TFSA works. Get one working for you. Whether you’re saving for a new car, a home purchase, your child’s education or retirement, a TFSA can help you reach your financial goals sooner.

2022 Tax Documents Overview and Schedule

Maximizing the value of your registered plans by making annual contributions to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”), Tax-Free Savings Account (“TFSA”), and Registered Education Savings Plan (“RESP”) is an important wealth planning strategy. By making your annual contribution(s) early in the year, you’ll benefit from the tax-sheltered growth all year long.

Most parents hope their children will pursue higher education – and for good reason. A post-secondary education can prepare your child for a fulfilling career, lead to enhanced earnings potential and, ultimately, steer them on the path to a successful and rewarding life. However, if adequate savings are not in place for post-secondary education, your children could graduate with the added stress of carrying significant student debt before they’ve even secured their first job.