Understanding the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
Unlock the power of an RESP to secure your child’s educational future. Learn how tax-deferred growth, government grants, and flexible contribution options can ease the burden of rising post-secondary costs. Plan today for a brighter tomorrow!
Estate Planning for Blended Families
Blended families – where two people get married but have children from previous relationships – are becoming more common. On top of the day-to-day challenges of blending a family, new spouses also have to figure out how to plan their estates, so everyone is properly taken care of.
We cover all of the following a blended family must consider while estate planning:
• Sharing the Family Home
• Make the Most of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan
• How to Share Non-Registered Investments and Other Assets
• Why It's Important to Select a Good Trustee
• The Advantages of Life Insurance for Blended Family Planning
Empowering Your Family’s Financial Future: A Comprehensive Guide to Budgeting
Secure your family's financial future with effective budgeting. Learn how to gain financial clarity, achieve your goals, and prepare for emergencies in our comprehensive guide.
Getting Ready for Money Emergencies
Facing unexpected financial emergencies? An emergency fund acts as your financial safety net, ensuring peace of mind without dipping into savings or incurring debt. Start small, build steadily.
Stay Ahead in 2024: A Comprehensive Checklist for Federal Tax Updates
Explore the upcoming 2024 Canadian tax changes affecting investors, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals. From capital gains adjustments to new incentives, stay informed with our comprehensive checklist.
2024 Federal Budget Highlights
On April 16, 2024, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, presented the federal budget.
While there are no changes to federal personal or corporate tax rates, the budget introduces:
• An increase in the portion of capital gains subject to tax, rising from 50% to 66.67%, starting June 25, 2024. However, individual gains up to $250,000 annually will retain the 50% rate.
• The lifetime exemption limit for capital gains has been raised to $1.25 million. Additionally, a new one-third inclusion rate is set for up to $2 million in capital gains for entrepreneurs.
• The budget confirms the alternative minimum tax changes planned for January 1, 2024 but lessens their impact on charitable contributions.
• This year's budget emphasizes making housing more affordable. It provides incentives for building rental properties specifically designed for long-term tenants.
• Introduces new support measures to aid people buying their first homes.
• Costs for specific patents and tech equipment and software can now be written off immediately.
• Canada carbon rebate for small business
Tax tips to know before filing your 2023 income tax
Unlock the secrets to maximizing your 2023 tax returns with our essential guide. From the new Advanced Canada Workers Benefit to crucial deductions for families, ensure you're not leaving money on the table this tax season.
TFSA vs RRSP – 2024
When looking to save money in a tax-efficient manner, Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) can offer significant tax benefits. The main difference between the two is that TFSAs are ideal for short-term goals, such as saving for a down payment on a house or a vacation, as its growth is entirely tax-free, while RRSPs are more suitable for long-term goals such as retirement. When comparing deposit differences, TFSAs have a limit of $7,000 for the current year, while RRSPs have a limit of 18% of your pre-tax income from the previous year, with a maximum limit of $31,560. In terms of withdrawals, TFSAs have no conversion requirements and withdrawals are tax-free, while RRSPs must be converted to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) at age 71 and withdrawals are taxed as income.
Do you have enough for retirement?
Many of us dream of the day that we can retire and have the time to ourselves that we have dreamed of for so many years. But, to have a genuinely contented and relaxing retirement, you need to ensure that you have the means to afford it. So, now's the best time to consider the three critical stages of retirement planning.
1) Accumulation
2) Pre-retirement
3) Retirement
Federal Budget 2023 Highlights
On March 28, 2023, the Federal Government released their 2032 budget. This article highlights the following financial measures:
• New transfer options associated with Bill C-208 for intergenerational transfer.
• New rules for employee ownership trusts.
• Changes to how the Alternative Minimum Tax is calculated.
• Improvements to Registered Education Savings Plans.
• Expanding access to Registered Disability Savings Plans.
• Grocery rebate.
• Deduction for tradespeople tool expenses.
• Automatic tax filing.
• New Canadian Dental Care Plan.