Revocable trusts are a common estate planning tool in the U.S. Also referred to as living trusts and grantor trusts, they provide a method of avoiding costly probate and incapacity proceedings. A well written revocable trust will also include tax and creditor protection planning for future generations. In addition to all of these benefits, the individual [...]
As of 12 am October 1, 2013, the US government “shutdown” due to a lack of budget. It is the role of Congress to prepare and pass a spending bill, also known as a budget, prior to the start of each fiscal year. The US government’s fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th, hence [...]
On August 29, 2013, the US Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the US Department of Treasury released announcements confirming that in light of the historic US v. Windsor ruling from June 26, 2013, the IRS will recognize all legal same-sex marriages performed in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a US territory, or [...]
State Estate & Inheritance Taxes A lot is often said about the US federal estate tax, especially amongst Canadians with US property. What many Canadians do not realize is that 14 different US states, and Washington, D.C., levy state estate tax as well. An additional five states levy an inheritance tax, with New Jersey and Maryland [...]
Last week, the US Supreme Court issued an historic and landmark ruling in the case of US v. Windsor. It has been hailed in the media as the demise of the Defense Of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), and celebrated as an extension of more than 1,000 federal benefits to same-sex couples. In US v. Windsor, Edith Windsor [...]
Yesterday afternoon the US Senate voted to approve the US Immigration Reform Bill with a final vote of 68-32 in favor of the bill. While some modifications to the bill were made in the Senate, the key provisions for Canadians have remained largely untouched. These key provisions include Canadian/ Snowbird Tourism, and the US Retiree visa. [...]
After long hours of debate and voting on various proposed amendments to the bill, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted last night to support the new US immigration reform bill. None of the amendments approved in committee appear to have any bearing on the provisions relating to Canadian tourism or the Retiree visa. By all accounts these [...]
Last week a bipartisan group of US Senators known as the “Gang of Eight” unveiled their proposed US immigration reform bill. The 844 page document contains what amounts to an overhaul of almost all aspects of the current US immigration system. It is still to be seen how much of the original bill will make it [...]
It’s that time of year when Canadians wintering south of the border begin to realize that fairly soon they will be packing their things and making the long trip north again. Some of them will do so willingly, eager to get back to friends and family, others will consider extending their stay by another couple of [...]
Being an American citizen is, for many around the world, a highly sought after position. Some might call it a gift, though I doubt the United States IRS would classify it that way. In fact, for the IRS, American citizenship is only one half of the bargain. At least, this appears to be the mindset behind [...]
