News & Articles
- Probate Fee Planning: Understanding the Pros and Cons (5/31/2023) - 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.
- Pension Options for the Canadian Business Owner-Managers Retirement (5/23/2023) - Planning for retirement is an important objective for owner-managers operating businesses in Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC). Their options include Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Canada Pension Plans, Quebec Pension Plans, or Individual Pension Plans. Generally, these are funded by the employer for the benefit of employees once they retire. They can either be funded only by the employer or may by the employer and the employee. Each plan has its own rules and timelines regarding contributions, contribution limits, and withdrawals – and there may be penalties for not adhering to the rules. Planning ahead with strategies based on your particular situation can help boost retirement savings. Learn more by reading our article devoted to this topic.
- Canadian Business Owner-Manager Remuneration Planning (5/15/2023) - If you are an incorporated Canadian entrepreneur or business owner, there are two general ways to pay yourself from your corporation. You can use a salary or bonus, and that’s a deductible business expense but is fully taxable as your personal employment income. Or the company can pay a dividend that isn’t a deductible business expense but is taxed at a lower rate to you as personal income. Each option has different personal and corporate tax implications. There may also be some different tax rate advantages or disadvantages, depending on the province. Our article covers the details to provide understanding and strategic tax planning insights.
Interviews & Press Releases
- Press Release: Cardinal Point Wealth Management Inc. Acquires Seabank Capital Management Inc. (7/18/2013) - Cardinal Point Wealth Management, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Seabank Capital Management Inc. With the addition of Seabank Capital, Cardinal Point continues to establish itself as the leading provider of cross-border wealth management solutions for residents of Canada and the United States. Cardinal Point Wealth Management, Inc. is a Canadian-based, fee-based financial planning […]
- Terry Ritchie joins the firm as Director, Cross-Border Wealth Services (5/16/2013) - Cardinal Point Wealth Management Inc. (“Cardinal Point”) is pleased to announce that Terry Ritchie has joined the firm as Director, Cross-Border Wealth Services. With a wealth management career spanning 25 years, Ritchie brings substantial experience in the areas of financial, investment, tax and estate planning. Ritchie specializes in assisting affluent individuals and families with their […]
- Cardinal Point Wealth Management featured in the Wall Street Journal, “A Cross-Border Retirement Without Tax Woes” (1/11/2013) - Our own Jeff Sheldon was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal article, “A Cross-Border Retirement Without Tax Woes.” He shared the story of a couple who retired to the U.S. from Canada. While they sought sunny weather and a simpler life, when it came time to sort out their taxes and streamline their retirement […]
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Videos
- Americans in Canada: Investment Basics (8/20/2015) - It’s a good idea for Americans living in Canada to understand which kinds of registered investment accounts they can have without having to confront onerous taxes and paperwork. Two kinds of plans are friendliest for Americans: The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and the Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). Effectively, U.S. citizens are simply taxed […]
- Americans Selling Canadian Homes Face Tax Issues (8/13/2015) - Canadian citizens are not subject to capital gains tax when they sell their principal residences. Americans selling their homes in Canada, unfortunately, may have to pay the tax. As Terry Ritchie explains in this Globe and Mail video segment, Americans face the tax whether their home is in the United States or Canada. In most […]
- Does it make financial sense to renounce your U.S. citizenship? (8/5/2015) - Americans living in Canada face tax-reporting obligations that can be burdensome—even to the point where one might consider renouncing their citizenship. Our advice is to take a step back and think it through. As Terry Ritchie explained recently in this Globe and Mail video segment, renouncing one’s citizenship not only involves administrative hurdles, but can […]
Other News to Note
- Should You Consider a Continuing Care Retirement Community? (5/10/2021) - Whether you’re planning your own retirement or helping an older relative with his or her later-life decisions, a continuing care retirement community may be a good housing option. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the definition of continuing care, the various levels available, and other considerations to make when evaluating facilities.
- Possible U.S. Tax Changes for Snowbirds (11/8/2014) - A sweeping GOP victory has led to both houses of the U.S. Congress being controlled by Republicans. American voters also chose Republican governors in a majority of states. How do these and other recent changes affect snowbirds? First, there is the so-called “snowbird visa,” which has been held up in the current Senate after passing […]
- Travel Insurance Between Canada and the U.S. (9/10/2014) - Do You Need It? For our Canadian and U.S. clients, cross-border travel includes an array of possibilities, from a weekly commitment to the rare excursion. The question is: do you need travel insurance? In this article, we look at considerations that keep your best interests in mind. Many of Cardinal Point’s clients enjoy the best […]