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
Making Roth Conversions Before Moving to Canada: Key Considerations
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 [...]
Unlocking Double Tax Benefits: Using Your IRA for Charitable Giving as a Canadian Resident
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 [...]
Cross-Border Tax & Estate Planning Under the Big Beautiful Bill: Key Considerations for Canadian and U.S. Taxpayers
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 [...]