Blog and Articles

In today's globally mobile and interconnected world, it's increasingly common for Canadians to own U.S.-situs assets—whether it's a vacation home in Florida, an investment property in Arizona, or shares in U.S. corporations. However, what's less commonly understood is the U.S. estate tax regime that applies to non-U.S. persons at death. For Canadians with U.S. assets, [...]

As Canadians increasingly maintain global ties—through family, business, or retirement—cross-border estate planning has become more critical than ever. A common scenario arises when a Canadian resident intends to leave assets to a child or grandchild who lives in the United States, either as a U.S. citizen or resident. While naming a U.S. beneficiary in a [...]

For many Canadian families, the concept of U.S. citizenship may seem remote—until it turns out that one spouse holds a U.S. passport, was born in the U.S., or is even a dual citizen through a parent. This quiet connection to the United States can trigger a complex layer of cross-border tax, estate, and financial planning [...]

Relocating to Canada from the U.S. presents unique financial planning opportunities and challenges, especially regarding U.S. retirement accounts like IRAs and Roth IRAs. One strategic move often considered is converting a traditional IRA or 401(k)/403(b) to a Roth IRA before establishing Canadian tax residency. Below, we outline the key aspects of this strategy, clarify the [...]

You’ve spent the majority of your career employed in the U.S. and are ready to return home to Canada with notable retirement assets in hand. For Canadian residents holding U.S. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) offer a rare opportunity to optimize charitable giving while minimizing tax burdens. This strategy leverages unique provisions [...]

With the enactment of the "Big Beautiful Bill" on July 4, 2025, cross-border taxpayers—particularly those navigating Canadian and U.S. tax and estate planning systems—face major legislative changes. These changes are reshaping the individual, estate, business, and international tax landscape, with far-reaching implications for planning, compliance, and long-term strategy. At Cardinal Point Wealth Management, we specialize [...]

For high-earning professionals, entrepreneurs, and incorporated business owners in Canada, income taxes often represent the single largest household expense. Fortunately, with proactive tax planning, it’s possible to significantly reduce tax drag, accelerate wealth accumulation, and align financial strategy with life priorities. This blog post outlines a real-world approach to integrated tax and lifestyle planning, using [...]

Welcoming a new child is an exciting and life-changing event, but it also comes with major financial considerations. For parents in both Canada and the United States, the early years of a child’s life are a critical window for tax-efficient savings, thoughtful estate planning, and long-term financial security. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the [...]

We previously wrote about the proposed impact of Section 899.  Now, as Canadian investors continue to look south of the border for diversification and potential returns, new legislative developments in Washington could have significant tax consequences — or relief — depending on how events unfold. Most recently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Congress [...]

As more individuals and business owners straddle the Canada-U.S. border—whether for lifestyle, business, or retirement—questions of tax residency, domicile, and income sourcing have become central to smart financial planning. With the rise of remote work, increased M&A activity, and more aggressive tax enforcement on both sides of the border, cross-border clients must navigate a complex [...]

When most people hear “estate planning,” they picture billionaires shielding fortunes from tax through exotic legal structures. But the reality is that strategic estate planning is just as critical—if not more so—for families with assets under the U.S. federal estate tax exemption limit of $13.99 million per individual in 2025 (or $27.98 million for couples). [...]

For many successful Canadian families, cross-border living has become a reality, especially when children or heirs decide to move to the United States for education, career, or lifestyle reasons. When this happens, the tax and estate implications can be significant and complex. This article explores the most common issues and planning strategies that arise when [...]

In today’s dynamic estate planning landscape, affluent families—particularly those with cross-border ties between Canada and the U.S.—must navigate both opportunity and complexity. While tax law provides powerful tools for wealth transfer, effective estate planning requires more than legal documents. It demands foresight, communication, and alignment across generations. For families with U.S. or Canadian citizenship, U.S.-situs [...]

Kris Rossignoli, Senior Private Wealth Manager at Cardinal Point Wealth Management, is featured in the National Post discussing a rising trend among Canada’s wealthy: the growing interest in relocating abroad. According to a new survey, 28% more Canadian millionaires are now considering emigration compared to the last federal election. This shift is largely attributed to [...]

For affluent Canadians with significant U.S. investments—whether in real estate, public markets, or U.S. retirement plans—proposed changes to U.S. tax law could quietly and significantly erode your after-tax returns. Under a new legislative proposal—Section 899 of the Internal Revenue Code—the U.S. may impose penalty taxes on residents of foreign countries that it deems to be [...]

he proposed Canadian Snowbird Visa Act could extend the annual U.S. stay for eligible Canadians from 182 to 240 days without a visa. While this offers greater flexibility for snowbirds aged 50+ who maintain homes in both countries, the bill does not eliminate new federal registration rules or address complex tax residency risks.

Canada is on the verge of a massive transfer of business wealth, with nearly half of family business owners planning to exit in the next five years—yet most lack a formal succession plan. Transitioning ownership isn’t just a transaction; it’s a multi-year process that demands careful tax, legal, and family considerations. Whether you’re selling to a third party, passing the reins to family or employees, or winding down, early planning is essential to maximize value and minimize tax exposure. Key strategies include estate freezes, capital gains exemption planning, and hybrid share-asset sales.

As Canadian business owners face a historic wave of transitions, the role of tax planning in mergers, acquisitions, and successions has never been more critical. Whether selling, acquiring, or passing down a business, the right tax strategy can significantly influence deal outcomes and long-term value.