Articles

Networth Newsletter

We appreciate that tax season is an important time of year for investors. Depending on your investment holdings and account activity, you could receive a variety of tax slips that you will need to prepare your annual tax return. To help simplify your tax preparation efforts, we are providing a brief overview of the various tax slips and supporting documents you may receive from BMO, along with their expected availability dates. It is important to note that this schedule may be subject to change. Please make sure that you receive all required tax slips before filing your tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), and Revenu Québec for Quebec residents, to prevent having to file an amendment.

As outlined in our 2024 Federal Budget Review publication, Budget 2024 proposed several important new measures impacting individuals and business owners, most notably the proposed increase in the capital gains inclusion rate (i.e., the amount of a capital gain that is included in income for tax purposes).

Since Canada represents only a small portion of the world’s capitalization, it may make sense to include some foreign investments in your portfolio. However, it is important to understand Canadian and other foreign tax implications of owning investments outside of Canada.

2023 Tax Tips for Investors

The RRIF Payout Schedule

Each year the amount that you can withdraw from your Life Income Fund (LIF) will vary depending on your age, the value of your plan at the beginning of the calendar year, and the provincial or federal pension legislation governing your plan.

Here are some general considerations to keep in mind when deciding what age to start collecting the CPP retirement benefit and determining how much it will be.

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.

Many Canadians enjoy spending time in the U.S., and at some point may consider the purchase of a U.S. vacation property. As a result, it is important for Canadians to fully understand U.S. reporting and tax issues related to their ownership of U.S. real property, in addition to any Canadian tax implications.

A formalized savings plan that uses a registered plan, such as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), is one of the soundest ways to realize your retirement goals. Here are some strategies you can use to maximize the benefits of your RRSP, TFSA and RRIF.

The benefits of making a charitable donation are countless – from helping those in need to the personal satisfaction of giving back to the causes that are important to us. Charitable giving also makes good sense from a tax perspective. With proper planning, you can reduce your total income tax liability and maximize the value of your donation.

While a Will ensures that your assets are dealt with according to your wishes at the time of death, a Continuing (or Enduring) Power of Attorney for Property can provide for the proper management of your property and financial affairs during your lifetime, should you become mentally incapable or have to be absent for an extended period of time. Accordingly, a Power of Attorney for property is an important part of a complete financial plan.

Pros & Cons of Joint Ownership of Property

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.

Estate Planning for Blended Families

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.

Executor's Task List

This article provides information on how, and when, to withdraw funds from an RESP, as well as information on qualifying educational institutions and programs. In situations where the RESP beneficiary decides not to pursue post-secondary studies or leaves before completing a qualifying program, the subscriber of the plan must decide what to do with the money that has accumulated in the RESP.

Rates Scenario, covering currencies and markets outside of the U.S. and Canada.

The 2025 Federal Budget Review was developed by our in–house tax professionals in the Wealth Planning and Advisory Services Group at BMO Private Wealth: Dante Rossi, Director, Tax Planning and Phil Haines, Director, Tax Planning.

Strategic commentary and an overview of financial markets.

The Global Equity Weekly provides timely analysis of major economic trends, and how they impact stocks and financial markets more broadly. The latest economic data, interest rate moves and earnings trends all drive the performance of your portfolio. In addition to analysis from the Economics team, this report offers a set of charts and tables to track market performance.

The Goods, BMO's monthly commodity price publication.

Critical Illness & Long Term Care Insurance