If you own a vacation property, this provides information on the tax consequences of selling a second home and highlights important estate planning considerations, if your plan is to keep your vacation property in the family for the next generation.

When it comes to investment income, all is not equal after tax. Knowing how tax rules affect your investments is essential in order to maximize your after-tax return. This publication explains the taxation of investment income held in a taxable account as it pertains to an individual resident in Canada.

Trusts are powerful instruments in tax and estate planning. Broadly speaking, a trust is a relationship between a settlor and a trustee in which the trustee holds property transferred by the settlor for the benefit of beneficiaries specified by the settlor. Using this basic framework, a variety of arrangements are possible and significant planning objectives can be met. This article focuses on the tax reporting requirements for trusts, including forthcoming changes to these tax reporting requirements for trust taxation years ending on, or after December 31, 2022.

One of the most important tax breaks offered to Canadians is the “Principal Residence Exemption” which can reduce or eliminate any capital gain otherwise occurring for income tax purposes on the disposition (or deemed disposition, such as upon death) of your home. In general, a resident of Canada who owns only one housing unit, which is situated on land of one-half hectare or less, and which has been used since its acquisition strictly as their residence, will qualify for the principal residence exemption. Although simple in concept, in situations other than the one described above the tax rules governing the exemption can quickly become complicated, particularly when more than one residence is owned by a family unit.

The pension income-splitting rules provide an effective, yet simple, strategy to lower family taxes. Being able to split pension income provides an opportunity for couples to reduce their overall family tax bill by taking advantage of a spouse’s or common law partner’s lower marginal tax rate where retirement incomes are disproportionate.

A popular tax strategy involves the use of a prescribed rate loan to split income amongst family members. Despite the recent increase in the prescribed rate from 1% to 2%, the ability to lock in the current 2% rate is still attractive. However, in light of the recent announcement by the Canada Revenue Agency of an additional, forthcoming increase in the prescribed interest rate from 2% to 3%, effective October 1, 2022, you will need to act quickly to lock in the current rate of 2% to take advantage of the income-splitting benefits of this strategy.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented her second Budget (and first from the re-elected minority Federal Liberal government) in the House of Commons on April 7, 2022.

At BMO, we take your security seriously. We are committed to respecting and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information you entrust to us. It is also important to know how to keep your information secure. This article provides a few simple ways you can protect yourself online, as well as some key reminders for detecting fraud. Please be reminded that these are suggestions and we recommend that you speak to a technology professional about your digital security.

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.

Registered Education Savings Plans (“RESPs”) are popular vehicles chosen by parents, grandparents, and others to help set aside funds for a child’s post-secondary education. However, an RESP is an asset too often overlooked by individuals when it comes to estate planning. This article provides an overview of important estate planning considerations for RESP subscribers.

Estate planning is an essential component of a successful wealth management program. A good estate plan will provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family will be taken care of, and your financial affairs will be in order and administered according to your wishes. An important key element of any estate plan is a Will.

Trusts are often used in tax and estate planning because of the flexibility they offer over the control, management and distribution of appreciating assets. In an estate planning context, trusts can be used to provide control and protection of assets, reduce probate fees at death or serve as a Will substitute, and as a vehicle to transfer wealth to future generations. From a tax planning perspective, in the right circumstances, trusts can be used to facilitate income splitting by spreading income amongst family members who are taxed at lower marginal tax rates, thereby reducing the family’s overall tax burden. In particular, the use of a discretionary family trust to reduce the after-tax cost of children’s educational and other expenses is a common tax