TAX PLANNING SERVICES
At Cardinal Point, we guide our clients through a full range of Canadian, U.S. and cross-border tax planning strategy. These strategies are designed to minimize our clients’ tax liabilities, maximize their cash flow, and help them to realize their financial goals.
TAX PLANNING
At Cardinal Point, we guide our clients through a full range of Canadian, U.S. and cross-border tax planning strategy. These strategies are designed to minimize our clients’ tax liabilities, maximize their cash flow, and help them to realize their financial goals.
Our tax planning initiatives are fully integrated with our clients’ investment, financial and estate planning strategy. This coordinated approach to wealth management streamlines the financial planning process and helps our clients ensure lasting wealth for today, tomorrow and generations to come.
Canada and U.S. Tax Preparation
Our domestic and cross-border tax planning services also include tax preparation and tax compliance for clients living, working, investing, transitioning residency and/or conducting business in the U.S. and Canada. Our team of professionals specialize in providing the following list of services:
- Canada and U.S. tax preparation, including all provinces and states
- Tax preparation for Canadians living, working or investing in the United States
- Tax preparation for Americans living, working or investing in Canada
- Tax planning services for Canadians moving to the U.S. and Americans moving to Canada
- Reporting of Canadian financial accounts in the United States, e.g., FinCEN Report 114 (FBAR), Form 8938
- U.S. and Canadian tax residency status determination, including any applicable exemptions
- Canadian departure return and deemed disposition filings
- U.S.-Canada Tax Treaty elections review to eliminate double taxation
- Canadian foreign tax credit claims in the United States
- Comprehensive review of CPP/OAS taxation in the United States and social security-CPP equalization
- Tax advice for Canadians returning to Canada and Americans returning to the U.S., as well as on the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative
- Review of reporting requirements for RRSP, TSFA, RESP accounts in the U.S. and cross-border inheritances
- Integrated tax planning on Canadian tax positions and evaluation of U.S. estate tax issues for Canadian residents holding U.S. investments (including U.S. real estate)
- Tax preparation and planning for owners of cross-border rental properties
Whether you are a Canadian or American living in your home country, a Canadian living in the U.S., an American living in Canada or an expat living abroad, Cardinal Point can handle all aspects of your tax needs to help you comply with the relevant tax laws and regulations in Canada and the U.S.
Who We Serve
Private Wealth Services for Residents of Canada
At Cardinal Point, we work with individuals and families who have made a commitment to excellence and expect it from others. Our clients come to us for a variety of reasons: the expertise of our investment management services; the integration of their tax, retirement, and estate plans; and the simplicity we bring to their complex financial lives.
Moving from Canada to the U.S.
Moving to the U.S. from Canada requires thoughtful financial planning strategies that address departure taxes, transitioning assets and investment interests across the border, managing Canadian dollar investment accounts while tax managing them based on the U.S. tax rules, as well as creating a cross-border estate plan.
Moving from the U.S. to Canada
Many people make the mistake of moving to Canada before addressing their financial affairs, resulting in missed tax-saving opportunities and potential double taxation. Our services are specifically designed to minimize tax liabilities for Americans relocating to Canada. Managing investments, taxes, and financial planning across borders is complex and requires a deep understanding of both U.S. and Canadian laws.
Canadians Living in the U.S.
For Canadians living in the US, it can be difficult to find a local financial advisor or tax practitioner that is well versed in Canada-U.S. cross-border financial planning. This forces many Canadian expats to work with multiple Canadian and U.S. practitioners which can be inefficient and costly. With Cardinal Point, Canadian expats can have the assurance of knowing all of their cross-border financial planning considerations can be addressed by one company.
U.S. Citizens Living in Canada
Our specialized services offer coordinated investment management for both U.S. and Canadian accounts, tailored Canada-U.S. financial and retirement planning, and strategies for U.S. retirement account distributions while residing in Canada. From comprehensive estate planning to optimizing retirement benefits like CPP, OAS, Social Security, and Medicare, we provide holistic advice to ensure financial peace of mind.
Private Wealth Services for Residents of the U.S.
Our clients seek a long-term relationship with a trusted wealth planner who fully understands their situation and goals. These affluent individuals and families grasp the importance of diversifying their investment portfolios, establishing a lasting family legacy, and seeking a more effective and fulfilling method for managing their wealth.
OUR RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Understanding British Columbia’s Property Transfer Tax and the 1084204 B.C. Ltd. Case
British Columbia's real estate market is known for its dynamic nature, attracting both domestic and international investors. To regulate this market and generate revenue, the province imposes the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) on property transactions. This article delves into the intricacies of the PTT, its implications for foreign entities/nationals, and examines a recent pivotal case: [...]
Navigating Cross-Border Retirement Benefits in 2025: US Social Security and Canadian CPP/OAS
Cross-border retirement planning has never been more relevant. In 2025, many Canadians living in the U.S. and Americans living in Canada face complex questions around Social Security, CPP, and OAS benefits. Our updated article explores how longstanding agreements like the totalization agreement (1984–2025) and the U.S.-Canada tax treaty continue to shape eligibility and taxation rules—while addressing key developments such as the 85% inclusion rate, new e-filing systems, and the growing importance of residency status. Whether you’re planning to retire soon or already drawing benefits, understanding where and how your income is taxed is crucial.
Social Security Identity Verification: Need to see your ID, please…
The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently announced that it discovered massive fraud against the Social Security retirement program, citing 130 year-olds collecting Social Security payments as an example. Against that backdrop, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has changed how people must prove their identity when 1) claiming benefits for the first time and [...]