Ex-wife paid premiums on husband’s life insurance policy, but new common-law spouse got proceeds. The Ex-Wife took the Common-Law Spouse to court more…

“No one gives away money as intelligently as they made it” – Andrew Tisch

You’ve achieved financial success and want to give back to your community, but how? Should you give directly to a charity? Or would a Community Foundation be better?  And what’s this thing you’ve heard about where people create their own private foundations?

CoraLee Baerg bring clarity to these questions in her article “Choosing the Right Vehicle for a Legacy Gift”

Most business owners have used their Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) as a way to build up assets for future pension income.  New tax rules make this strategy more difficult.  Alternatively, individuals have looked to RRSPs to accumulate for their individual retirement. The Family Pension Plan is a realistic alternative to both the CCPC and RRSP strategies. Click here for handout 10 Benefits of the Family Pension Plan

For starters, it’s a lot of work. Unlike cutting a cheque for a charity and walking away with a tax receipt, a private foundation requires a lot of decision-making, governance, administration and upkeep to ensure the giving goes on for decades.

The Hyatt family discovered this for themselves when they decided to set up a private foundation as a way to give back to society and build a philanthropic family legacy…more

Interested in leaving a legacy by making a gift from your estate?  It doesn’t have to be complicated!  Have a look at our article in the most recent issue of The Business Advisor.

The recent passing of music icon Aretha Franklin, and the revelation that she died without a will, provides us with another reminder to get your affairs in order.  Give your family the gift of sharing your intentions with them to allow for smooth estate administration.  See article here.

Saskatchewan is above the national average of 22%, with 33% planning to leave money to charities in their will.  See the full article HERE for more interesting notes on what the motivations are behind giving and what segments of the population are planning to do the most giving.

Did you know that the taxation of life insurance policies will have a number of changes for new policies issued beginning in 2017?  Have a look at this short video to understand these changes, and what the new rules could mean for you and your business.

A recent article in the financial post highlights a new bill that has been proposed in the House of Commons.  The proposed bill seeks to level the playing field for the tax implication of selling a business to your family member vs. to a third party.  Currently, a significant deduction from the capital gain is allowed when selling to a third party, but this deduction is not necessarily available when selling to a relative.  The proposed bill could be a welcome change for many family-owned businesses in Canada.  Please see the Financial Post article HERE