Cardinal Point Wealth Management
Your Cross-Border Financial Advisor
Those who have worked in both Canada and the U.S. may be eligible for Social Security (SS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Canadian Old Age Security (OAS), but it can be complicated. While SS depends on years worked, OAS is based on years of Canadian residency, and CPP is based on contributions. You may be able to take early reduced benefits or delay them to receive increased payouts. There may be clawbacks based on income levels…
A Canadian inheriting a U.S. IRA faces different tax implications than an inheritance in Canada would generate, namely, income tax and income withholding in the U.S. and income tax in Canada. It may be possible, though, for such a beneficiary to defer taxes in both countries by establishing an Inherited IRA account.
For individuals moving from Canada to the U. S. and planning to sell their Canadian home, there are different Canadian and U.S. tax implications. To avoid or minimize tax liability, specific criteria need to be met around the questions of whether tax residency is in Canada or U.S. when the sale occurs and if the home qualifies as a principal residence. If sold while still a Canadian tax resident, a status that can be maintained for a period beyond the moving date, exemptions apply. Additional compliance requirements need to be met when the property is sold by a U.S. tax resident.
The Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) is available to all Canadian residents and Americans living in Canada as a tax deduction on the sale of a Qualified Small Business Corporation (QSBC). It is indexed to inflation, and it can be used in part. Three tests must be met to claim an LCGE, and there are complicated regulations governing each of these.
Cardinal Point’s Terry Ritchie continues his talk with Rob Carrick about U.S. estate taxes; this segment focuses on what they mean to Canadians who own U.S. stocks and ETFs. U.S. shares owned by Canadians are considered U.S. cited, and there could be U.S. estate tax filing requirements if they are valued at more than $60K […]
Cardinal Point’s Terry F. Ritchie talks to Rob Carrick about the latest changes in U.S. estate taxes and what they mean for Canadian snowbirds who own property in the U.S. For many years, snowbirds had to worry about U.S. estate taxes, but it’s not an issue for most anymore, as the threshold is much higher […]
In this segment for Investment Executive, Terry Ritchie talks about U.S. estate planning issues for Canadians with property in the U.S. Recent estate property tax changes in the U.S. have relieved the burden for many Canadians of what happens upon their death when they own U.S. property. If a Canadian owns property with a worldwide […]
These days almost everyone holds valuable digital assets and they continue to accumulate them. Examples include online financial accounts, photos and videos on smartphones, and digital currencies like Bitcoin. These may have financial value, legal value, or significant sentimental value. But most people do not fully consider the importance of including these digital assets when doing their estate planning. That leaves them exposed to the risk that if they are impaired or die, the assets may be difficult or even impossible to access. This article explains how to avoid that risk, to ensure a seamless transfer of digital assets for the benefit of both you and your beneficiaries.
The successful transfer of assets to intended beneficiaries according to one’s desires is a vital goal in U.S. estate planning. However, many people – including some less informed and experienced financial and tax planners – often fail to understand the crucial role that is played by 1) the specific way that assets are owned and 2) exactly how they are transferred. Strategizing and planning accordingly is extremely important in order to avoid unwanted tax implications and other obstacles to the transfer of wealth. This article offers valuable insights in that regard, to help ensure that estate plans are structured for maximum benefits to secure one’s financial legacy.
There are fees or taxes associated with probate, which vary depending on the jurisdiction and can be quite high. Failing to plan carefully can result in greater tax liability and assets not being distributed among beneficiaries as intended. Fortunately, strategies to reduce those fees can have a significant impact on the distribution of wealth upon death. But while some strategies work in certain jurisdictions, they may not be applicable elsewhere. There are also special ways to reduce fees for those over the age of 65. While probate fee planning is a complex process, it’s valuable – and worthy of guidance from a qualified professional advisor.
If you or someone you wish to bequeath assets to in your estate plan is a “U.S. person,” according to the tax authority definition, there are estate planning strategies you can implement to minimize potential U.S. estate taxes. That kind of planning is particularly important if you anticipate exposure to such taxes in excess of the amount that may be protected by available deductions, exclusions, and treaty credits. When considering any proposed plan or strategy, it is also important to factor in the associated costs and ongoing compliance requirements. The applicable tax rules are extremely complicated, and it is strongly advised that you consult a qualified cross-border tax and financial estate planning professional.
Estate planning is a vital part of financial planning and wealth management. But communicating your estate plans is equally vital, to ensure that your plans are executed according to your wishes. That’s especially true when it comes to communicating with the Executor of your estate and those who are designated with Power of Attorney for Property or Personal Care. Too often that communication is overlooked, but you can ensure that those designated persons are well-informed and prepared by writing them a letter that outlines their tasks and responsibilities. The following article includes more information, plus convenient, customizable templates to help you draft those vital communiqués.
If you’re a Canadian living in the U.S. or elsewhere in Canada and planning a return to your home province of Quebec, there are a number of factors you’ll need to consider including the ramifications of such a move on your current estate plan. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at differences between Common Law and Civil Law and how they relate to estate planning.