The owner of a registered retirement savings plan (“RRSP”) (whether before or after its maturity) is deemed to have disposed of the account upon death and the full value of the RRSP is brought into the deceased owner’s income in her terminal income tax return. Tax Rollovers This tax burden can be deferred where the RRSP [...]
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 [...]
Back in March, the Canadian government had indicated that they were looking into changing the graduated tax rates applied to testamentary trusts. Trusts have always been a tool for tax and estate planning, and although their use will likely not diminish, this overhaul will drastically alter the way in which these types of trusts are taxed. [...]
In recent weeks, there has been extensive news coverage on the Gang of Eight’s U.S. Immigration reform bill. If the new bill were to pass, U.S. Immigration (USCIS) would extend the amount of days a Canadian can spend in the U.S. from 180 to 240 per year. Many Canadian Snowbirds are delighted that their 6-month sunny [...]
In recent weeks, there has been extensive news coverage on the Gang of Eight’s U.S. Immigration reform bill. If the new bill were to pass, U.S. Immigration (USCIS) would extend the amount of days a Canadian can spend in the U.S. from 180 to 240 per year. Many Canadian Snowbirds are delighted that their 6-month sunny [...]
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 [...]
A person is considered incapacitated when they have lost their ability to make important decisions, including those related to their assets or property. What happens to your Florida property if you become mentally incapacitated? Your loved ones may encounter significant problems when trying to sell or transfer your property. Under Florida law, the procedure called “guardianship” [...]
There is no denying that the United States continues to be a hot spot for many Canadians, and although the housing market crash has begun to recover, prices are still nowhere near where they once were. This coupled with the strength of our Canadian dollar means one thing; it’s a wonderful time to be Canadian. Although, [...]
