Reducing Demands on Portfolios During More Difficult Times

During more difficult market times, we often suggest the importance of reducing withdrawals to put less stress on investment portfolios. This can be especially challenging for retirees who do not have the comfort of employment income. Many are also faced with mandatory withdrawals from the Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). We do know that markets are cyclical and expect them to resume their upward climb.

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Tax Season: Bucking the Trend

Even Albert Einstein, a man with a brain capable of solving the most complex physics equations, stumbled when it came to taxes. “The hardest thing in the world to understand,” he said, “is the income tax.” These days, tax advice is everywhere. TV ‘experts’, newspaper columnists and social media influencers will dispense tips on how to keep more of your money, but these brush strokes, at best, aren’t suitable for everyone and, at worst, perpetrate damaging misconceptions about certain benefits and how to use them.

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You Asked: Should I Delay RESP Withdrawals?

With the volatile market performance in 2022, some who hold a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) have asked: Should I delay RESP withdrawals? Having patience is never a bad thing when it comes to investing through the inevitable cycles and for those with sufficient funds to cover short-term education needs this may be an option. However, there may be reasons not to delay withdrawing RESP funds. 

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Thinking of Escaping the Canadian Winter?

For the past two winters, many snowbirds have been forced to hibernate at home. With travel now accessible, some are looking to resume their migration south to escape the cold. If this is within your plan, consider the potential implications.

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Federal Budget 2022 Recap: Few Significant Changes for Investors

This past spring, the federal government delivered its budget with few significant changes for investors: no changes to the capital gains inclusion rate or federal income tax rates. Many initiatives address the hot housing market. Here are some highlights.

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Estate Planning: The Benefits of Giving While Alive

Estate planning often involves preparing for what happens after death. Yet, consider that giving while living can also play a complementary role within an estate plan. While the obvious personal benefit is the satisfaction of seeing your gift at work, consider that there may be other benefits, including financial ones, from giving while alive: 

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The Season of Giving: “Doing Good” and Benefitting Your Taxes

Many of us wish to support charities that are important to us. In “doing good,” it can also work to your benefit in the form of a tax credit. Here are just a handful of options...

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Tax Planning: A Spousal Rollover May Not Always Make Sense

In married or common-law partnerships, using a spousal rollover1 has become a conventional strategy for many estate plans. Under a spousal rollover, any associated capital gains on certain capital property or registered plan income that transfers to a surviving spouse will be deferred until the spouse disposes of, or is deemed to have disposed of, those assets or withdraws them (in the case of registered plans).  

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In Short: The 2021 Federal Budget — How It May Affect You

In April, the federal government released its first federal budget in two years. Perhaps most notably, the federal government expects to continue its significant spending — over $101 billion for the next three years — to support strong economic recovery in the fight against Covid-19. It extended various emergency benefits, resulting in a record deficit and significantly higher projected debt for the foreseeable future.  

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Working From Home? Don’t Forget to Claim Home Office Expenses

Did you work from home last year? As a result of the pandemic, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has made changes to the rules surrounding home office expense claims.

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