The end of 2022 is quickly approaching – which means it’s time to get your paperwork in order so you’re ready when it comes time to file your taxes!
In this article, we’ve covered four different major types of 2022 personal tax tips:
Investment Considerations
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)-You can contribute up to a maximum of $6000 for 2022. You can carry forward unused contribution room indefinitely. The maximum amount you’re allowed to make in TFSA contributions is $81,500 (including 2022).
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)- Contribute to your RRSP or a spousal RRSP. Remember that you can deduct contributions made within the first sixty days of the following calendar year from your 2022 income. You also have the option of carrying forward deductions. Consider the best mix of investments for your RRSP: hold growth investments outside the plan (to benefit from lower tax rates on capital gains and eligible dividends), and hold interest-generating investments inside. We can help if you need advice on how to make the most of your RRSP.
Do you expect to have any capital losses? If you have capital losses, sell securities with accrued losses before year end to offset capital gains realized in the current or previous three years. You must first deduct them against your capital gains in the current year. You can carry back any excess capital losses for up to three years or forward indefinitely.
Interest Deductibility – If possible, repay the debt that has non-deductible interest before other debt (or debt that has interest qualifying for a non-refundable credit, i.e. interest on student loans). Borrow for investment or business purposes and use cash for personal purchases. You can still deduct interest on investment loans if you sell an investment at a loss and reinvest the proceeds from the sale in a new investment.
Individuals
The following list may seem like a lot, but it’s unlikely every single tip will apply to you. It’s essential to make sure you aren’t paying taxes unnecessarily.
COVID-19 federal benefits – If you repay any COVID-19 benefit amounts before 2023, you can deduct from your income the repayment amount in the year in which the benefit amount was received instead of the year it was repaid. (You can also split the deduction between the two years.)
Income Timing – If your marginal personal tax rate is lower in 2023 than in 2022, defer the receipt of certain employment income; if your marginal personal tax rate is higher in 2023 than in 2022, accelerate.
Worked at home in 2022?-You may be able to deduct an income tax deduction for home office expenses. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has extended the availability of the simplified method—claiming a flat rate of $2 per day working at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic—to 2022. Consider what’s more advantageous for you to claim: the simplified or traditional method.
Medical expenses – If you have eligible medical expenses that weren’t paid for by either a provincial or private plan, you can claim them on your tax return. You can even deduct premiums you pay for private coverage! Either spouse can claim qualified medical expenses for themselves and their dependent children in a 12-month period, but it’s generally better for the spouse with the lower income to do so.
Charitable donations – Tax credits for donations are two-tiered, with a more considerable credit available for donations over $200. You and your spouse can pool your donation receipts and carry donations forward donations for up to five years. If you donate items like stocks or mutual funds directly to a charity, you will be eligible for a tax receipt for the fair market value, and the capital gains tax does not apply.
Moving expenses – If you’ve moved to be closer to school or a place of work, you may be able to deduct moving expenses against eligible income. You must have moved a minimum of 40 km.
Families
Childcare Expenses – If you paid someone to take care of your child so you or your spouse could attend school or work, then you can deduct those expenses. A variety of childcare options qualify for this deduction, including boarding school, camp, daycare, and even paying a relative over 18 for babysitting. Be sure to get all your receipts and have the spouse with the lower net income claim the childcare expenses. In addition, some provinces offer additional childcare tax credits on top of the federal ones.
Caregiver – If you are a caregiver, claim the available federal and provincial/territorial tax credits.
Children’s fitness, arts and wellness tax credits – If your child is enrolled in an eligible fitness or arts program, you may claim a provincial or territorial tax credit for fitness and arts programs.
Estate planning arrangements – Review your estate plan annually to ensure it reflects the current tax rules. Review your will to ensure that it will form a valid will. Consider strategies for minimizing probate fees.
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) – can be a great way to save for a child’s future education. The Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG) is only available on the first $2,500 of contributions you make each year per child (to a maximum of $500, with a lifetime maximum of $7,200.) If you have any unused CESG amounts for the current year, you can carry them forward. If the recipient of the RESP is now 16 or 17, they can only receive the CESG if a) at least $2,000 has already been contributed to the RESP and b) a minimum contribution of $100 was made to the RESP in any of the four previous years.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) – If you have an RDSP open for yourself or an eligible family member, you may be able to get both the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) paid into the RDSP. The CDSB is based on the beneficiary’s adjusted family net income and does not require any contributions to be made. The CDSG is based on both the beneficiary’s family net income and contribution amounts. In addition, up to 10 years of unused grants and bond entitlements can be carried forward.
Retirees
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) – Turning 71 this year? If so, you are required to end your RRSP by December 31. You have several choices on what to do with your RRSP, including transferring your RRSP to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF), cashing out your RSSP, or purchasing an annuity. Talk to us about the tax implications of each of these choices!
Pension Income- Are you 65 or older and receiving pension income? If your pension income is eligible, you can deduct a federal tax credit equal to 15% on the first $2,000 of pension income received – plus any provincial tax credits! Don’t currently have any pension income? You may want to think about withdrawing $2,000 from an RRIF each year or using RRSP funds to purchase an annuity that pays at least $2,000 per year.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – If you’ve reached the age of 60, you may be considering applying for CPP. Keep in mind that if you do this, the monthly amount you’ll receive will be smaller. Also, you don’t have to have retired to be able to apply for CPP. Talk to us; we can help you figure out what makes the most sense.
Old Age Security – If you’re 65 or older, ensure you’re enrolled for Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. Retroactive OAS payments are only available for up to 11 months plus the month you apply for your OAS benefits. If you’re running into OAS “clawback” issues, consider ways to split or reduce other sources of income to avoid this.
Estate planning arrangements – Review your estate plan annually to ensure that it reflects the current tax rules. Consider strategies for minimizing probate fees. If you’re over 64 and living in a high probate province, consider setting up an inter vivos trust as part of your estate plan.
Students
Education, tuition, and textbook tax credits – If you’re attending post-secondary school, claim these credits where available.
Canada training credit – If you’re between 25 to 65 and enrolled in an eligible educational institution, you can claim a federal tax credit of $250 for 2021. You can claim tuition paid on your taxes, carry the amount forward, or transfer an unused tuition amount to a spouse, parent, or grandparent.
Need some additional guidance?
Reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re here to help.
TFSA versus RRSP – What you need to know to make the most of them in 2023
/in 2023, Blog, rrsp, Tax Free Savings Account /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.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. To assist you in understanding the distinctions, we will compare the following:
The differences in deposits between TFSAs and RRSPs
The differences in withdrawals between TFSAs and RRSPs
TFSA versus RRSP – Difference in deposits
When comparing deposit differences between TFSAs and RRSPs, there are several key considerations:
The amount of contribution room available
The ability to carry forward unused contributions
The tax deductibility of contributions
The tax treatment of growth in the account
How much contribution room do I have?
If you have never contributed to a TFSA, you can contribute up to $88,000 today. This table outlines the contribution amount you are allowed each year since TFSAs were created, including this year:
Year
TFSA dollar limit
2023
$6,500
2022
$6,000
2021
$6,000
2020
$6,000
2019
$6,000
2018
$5,500
2017
$5,500
2016
$5,500
2015
$10,000
2014
$5,500
2013
$5,500
2012
$5,000
2011
$5,000
2010
$5,000
2009
$5,000
Regarding RRSPs, the limit for tax deductions is 18% of your pre-tax income from the previous year, with a maximum limit of $30,780. To illustrate, if your pre-tax income in 2022 was $60,000, your deduction limit for 2023 would be $10,800 (18% x $60,000). If your pre-tax income was $200,000, the maximum limit of $30,780 would apply.
How much contribution room can I carry forward?
Suppose you opt not to contribute to your TFSA each year or do not contribute the maximum amount. In that case, you can carry forward your unused contribution room indefinitely, provided you are a Canadian resident, over 18 years of age, and have a valid social insurance number. If you make a withdrawal, the amount withdrawn will be added to your annual contribution room for the next calendar year.
In contrast, for an RRSP, you can carry forward your unused contribution room until age 71. Once you reach 71, you are required to convert your RRSP into an RRIF. Withdrawals from an RRSP do not create additional contribution room.
The tax deductibility of contributions
Your TFSA contributions are not tax-deductible and are made with after-tax dollars.
Your RRSP contributions are tax-deductible and made with pre-tax dollars.
Tax Treatment of Growth
It is essential to contribute to both RRSP and TFSA because of the different tax treatment of the growth within them.
A TFSA is 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. When withdrawing from your TFSA, you will not have to pay any income tax on the amount withdrawn. On the other hand, the growth within an RRSP is tax-deferred. This means you will not pay taxes on your RRSP gains until age 71, at which point you convert the RRSP into an RRIF and start withdrawing money.
RRSPs are more suitable for long-term goals such as retirement because, in retirement, you will have a lower income and be in a lower tax bracket, resulting in less tax on your RRIF income.
TFSA versus RRSP – Differences in withdrawals
There are several areas to focus on when comparing differences in withdrawal:
Conversion Requirements
Tax Treatment
Government Benefits
Contribution Room
Conversion Requirements
For a TFSA, there are never any conversion requirements as there is no maximum age for a TFSA.
For an RRSP, you must convert it to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) if you turn 71 by December 31st, 2023.
Tax Treatment of Withdrawals
One of the most attractive things about a TFSA is that all your withdrawals are tax-free! Therefore, they are recommended for short-term goals; you don’t have to worry about taxes when you take money out to pay for a house or a dream vacation.
With an RRSP, if you make a withdrawal, it will be taxed as income except in two cases:
The Home Buyers Plan lets you withdraw up to $35,000 tax-free, but you must pay it back within fifteen years.
The Lifelong Learning Plan lets you withdraw up to $20,000 ($10,000 maximum per year) tax-free, but you must pay it back within ten years.
How will my government benefits be impacted?
If you are withdrawing from your TFSA or RRSP, it’s essential to know how that will affect any benefits you receive from the government.
Since TFSA withdrawals are not considered taxable income, they will not impact your eligibility for income-tested government benefits.
RRSP withdrawals are considered taxable income and can affect the following:
Income-tested tax credits such as Canada Child Tax Benefit, the Working Income Tax Benefit, the Goods and Services Tax Credit, and the Age Credit.
Government benefits, including Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Employment Insurance.
How will a withdrawal impact my contribution room?
If you withdraw from your TFSA, the amount you withdrew will be added on top of your annual contribution room for the following calendar year. If you withdraw from your RRSP, you do not open any additional contribution room.
The Takeaway
RRSPs and TFSAs can both be great savings vehicles. However, there are significant differences between them which can affect your finances. If you need help navigating these differences, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
2023 Financial Calendar
/in 2023, Blog, Financial Planning, retirement, rrsp, Tax Free Savings Account /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.Welcome to our 2023 financial calendar! This calendar is designed to help you keep track of important financial dates and deadlines, such as tax filing and government benefit distribution. You can bookmark this page for easy reference or add these dates to your personal calendar to ensure you don’t miss any important financial obligations.
If you need help with your taxes, tax packages will be available starting February 2023. Don’t wait until the last minute to get started on your tax return – make an appointment with your accountant to ensure you’re ready to go when tax season arrives.
2022 Year End Tax Tips and Strategies for Business Owners
/in 2022, 2022 Only, Blog, business owners, Financial Planning, tax /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.Now that we’re approaching the end of the year, it’s time to review your business finances. We’ve highlighted the most critical tax-planning tips you need to know as a business owner.
Salary/Dividend Mix
As a business owner, an essential part of tax planning is determining if you receive salary or dividends from the business.
When you’re paid a salary, the corporation can claim an income tax deduction, which reduces its taxable income. You include this pay in your personal taxable income. You’ll also create Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution room.
The alternative is the corporation can distribute a dividend to you. The corporation must pay tax on its corporate income and can’t claim the dividend distributed as a deduction. However, because of the dividend tax credit, the dividend typically pays a lower tax rate (than for salary) on eligible and non-eligible dividends.
In addition to paying yourself, you can consider paying family members. These are the main options you can consider when determining how to distribute money from your business:
Pay a salary to family members who work for your business and are in a lower tax bracket. This enables them to declare an income so that they can contribute to the CPP and an RRSP. You must be able to prove the family members have provided services in line with the amount of compensation you give them.
Pay dividends to family members who are shareholders in your company. The amount of dividends someone can receive without paying income tax on them will vary depending on the province or territory they live in.
Distribute money from your business via income sprinkling, which is shifting income from a high-tax rate individual to a low-rate tax individual. However, this strategy can cause issues due to tax on split income (TOSI) rules. A tax professional can help you determine the best way to “income sprinkle” so none of your family members are subject to TOSI.
Keep money in the corporation if neither you nor your family members need cash. Taxes can be deferred if your corporation retains income and the corporation’s tax rate is lower than your tax rate.
No matter what strategy you take to distribute money from your business, keep in mind the following:
Your marginal tax rate as the owner-manager.
The corporation’s tax rate.
Health and payroll taxes
How much RRSP contribution room do you have?
What you’ll have to pay in CPP contributions.
Other deductions and credits you’ll be eligible for (e.g., charitable donations or childcare or medical expenses).
Compensation
Another important part of year-end tax planning is determining appropriate ways to handle compensation. Compensation is financial benefits that go beyond a base salary.
These are the main things to consider when determining how you want to handle compensation:
Can you benefit from a shareholder loan? A shareholder loan is an agreement to borrow funds from your corporation for a specific purpose and offers deductible interest.
Do you need to repay a shareholder loan to avoid paying personal income tax on your borrowed amount?
Is setting up an employee profit-sharing plan a better way to disburse business profits than simply paying a bonus?
Keep in mind that when an employee cashes out a stock option, only one party (the employee OR the employer) can claim a tax deduction on the cashed-out stock option.
Consider setting up a retirement compensation arrangement (RCA) to help fund your or your employee’s retirement.
Passive Investments
One of the most common tax advantages available to Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC) is the first $500,000 of active business income in a CCPC qualifies for the small business deduction (SBD), which reduces the corporate tax rate by 12 to 21 percent, depending on the province or territory.
With the SBD, you can reduce your corporate tax rate, but remember that the SBD will be reduced by five dollars for every dollar of passive investment income over $50,000 your CCPC earned the previous year.
The best way to avoid losing any SBD is to ensure that the passive investment income within your associated corporation group does not exceed $50,000.
These are some of the ways you can make sure you preserve your access to the SBD:
Defer the sale of portfolio investments as necessary.
Adjust your investment mix to be more tax efficient. For example, you could hold more equity investments than fixed-income investments. As a result, only 50% of the gains realized on shares sold are taxable, but investment income earned on bonds is fully taxable.
Invest excess funds in an exempt life insurance policy. Any investment income earned on an exempt life insurance policy is not included in your passive investment income total.
Set up an individual pension plan (IPP). An IPP is like a defined benefit pension plan and is not subject to the passive investment income rules.
Depreciable Assets
Consider speeding up the purchase of depreciable assets for year-end tax planning. A depreciable asset is a capital property on which you can claim Capital Cost Allowance (CCA).
Here’s how to make the most of tax planning with depreciable assets:
Make use of the Accelerated Investment Incentive. This incentive makes some depreciable assets eligible for an enhanced first-year allowance.
Purchase equipment such as zero-emissions vehicles and clean energy equipment eligible for a 100 percent tax write-off.
Consider postponing the sale of a depreciable asset if it will result in recaptured depreciation for your 2022 taxation year.
Qualified Small Business Corporation (QSBC) Share Status
Ensure your corporate shares are eligible to get you the $913,630 (for 2022) lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE). The LCGE is $1,000,0000 for dispositions of qualified farm or fishing property.
Suppose you sell QSBC shares scheduled to close in late December 2022 to January 2023. In that case, you may want to consider deferring the sale to access a higher LCGE of $971,190 for 2023 and therefore defer the tax payable on any gain arising from the sale.
Consider taking advantage of the LCGE and restructuring your business to multiply access to the exemption with other family members. But, again, you should discuss this with us, your accountant and legal counsel to see how this can benefit you.
Donations
Another essential part of tax planning is to make all your donations before year-end. This applies to both charitable donations and political contributions.
For charitable donations, you need to consider the best way to make your donations and the different tax advantages of each type of donation. For example, you can:
Donate Securities
Give a direct cash gift to a registered charity
Use a donor-advised fund account at a public foundation. A donor-advised fund is like a charitable investment account.
Set up a private foundation to solely represent your interests.
We can help walk you through the tax implications of these types of charitable donations.
Get year-end tax planning help from someone you can trust!
We’re here to help you with your year-end tax planning. So book a meeting with us today to learn how you can benefit from these tax tips and strategies.
2022 Personal Year-End Tax Tips
/in 2022 Only, Blog, individuals /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.The end of 2022 is quickly approaching – which means it’s time to get your paperwork in order so you’re ready when it comes time to file your taxes!
In this article, we’ve covered four different major types of 2022 personal tax tips:
Investment Considerations
Individuals
Families
Retirees
Students
Investment Considerations
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)-You can contribute up to a maximum of $6000 for 2022. You can carry forward unused contribution room indefinitely. The maximum amount you’re allowed to make in TFSA contributions is $81,500 (including 2022).
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)- Contribute to your RRSP or a spousal RRSP. Remember that you can deduct contributions made within the first sixty days of the following calendar year from your 2022 income. You also have the option of carrying forward deductions. Consider the best mix of investments for your RRSP: hold growth investments outside the plan (to benefit from lower tax rates on capital gains and eligible dividends), and hold interest-generating investments inside. We can help if you need advice on how to make the most of your RRSP.
Do you expect to have any capital losses? If you have capital losses, sell securities with accrued losses before year end to offset capital gains realized in the current or previous three years. You must first deduct them against your capital gains in the current year. You can carry back any excess capital losses for up to three years or forward indefinitely.
Interest Deductibility – If possible, repay the debt that has non-deductible interest before other debt (or debt that has interest qualifying for a non-refundable credit, i.e. interest on student loans). Borrow for investment or business purposes and use cash for personal purchases. You can still deduct interest on investment loans if you sell an investment at a loss and reinvest the proceeds from the sale in a new investment.
Individuals
The following list may seem like a lot, but it’s unlikely every single tip will apply to you. It’s essential to make sure you aren’t paying taxes unnecessarily.
COVID-19 federal benefits – If you repay any COVID-19 benefit amounts before 2023, you can deduct from your income the repayment amount in the year in which the benefit amount was received instead of the year it was repaid. (You can also split the deduction between the two years.)
Income Timing – If your marginal personal tax rate is lower in 2023 than in 2022, defer the receipt of certain employment income; if your marginal personal tax rate is higher in 2023 than in 2022, accelerate.
Worked at home in 2022?-You may be able to deduct an income tax deduction for home office expenses. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has extended the availability of the simplified method—claiming a flat rate of $2 per day working at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic—to 2022. Consider what’s more advantageous for you to claim: the simplified or traditional method.
Medical expenses – If you have eligible medical expenses that weren’t paid for by either a provincial or private plan, you can claim them on your tax return. You can even deduct premiums you pay for private coverage! Either spouse can claim qualified medical expenses for themselves and their dependent children in a 12-month period, but it’s generally better for the spouse with the lower income to do so.
Charitable donations – Tax credits for donations are two-tiered, with a more considerable credit available for donations over $200. You and your spouse can pool your donation receipts and carry donations forward donations for up to five years. If you donate items like stocks or mutual funds directly to a charity, you will be eligible for a tax receipt for the fair market value, and the capital gains tax does not apply.
Moving expenses – If you’ve moved to be closer to school or a place of work, you may be able to deduct moving expenses against eligible income. You must have moved a minimum of 40 km.
Families
Childcare Expenses – If you paid someone to take care of your child so you or your spouse could attend school or work, then you can deduct those expenses. A variety of childcare options qualify for this deduction, including boarding school, camp, daycare, and even paying a relative over 18 for babysitting. Be sure to get all your receipts and have the spouse with the lower net income claim the childcare expenses. In addition, some provinces offer additional childcare tax credits on top of the federal ones.
Caregiver – If you are a caregiver, claim the available federal and provincial/territorial tax credits.
Children’s fitness, arts and wellness tax credits – If your child is enrolled in an eligible fitness or arts program, you may claim a provincial or territorial tax credit for fitness and arts programs.
Estate planning arrangements – Review your estate plan annually to ensure it reflects the current tax rules. Review your will to ensure that it will form a valid will. Consider strategies for minimizing probate fees.
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) – can be a great way to save for a child’s future education. The Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG) is only available on the first $2,500 of contributions you make each year per child (to a maximum of $500, with a lifetime maximum of $7,200.) If you have any unused CESG amounts for the current year, you can carry them forward. If the recipient of the RESP is now 16 or 17, they can only receive the CESG if a) at least $2,000 has already been contributed to the RESP and b) a minimum contribution of $100 was made to the RESP in any of the four previous years.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) – If you have an RDSP open for yourself or an eligible family member, you may be able to get both the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) paid into the RDSP. The CDSB is based on the beneficiary’s adjusted family net income and does not require any contributions to be made. The CDSG is based on both the beneficiary’s family net income and contribution amounts. In addition, up to 10 years of unused grants and bond entitlements can be carried forward.
Retirees
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) – Turning 71 this year? If so, you are required to end your RRSP by December 31. You have several choices on what to do with your RRSP, including transferring your RRSP to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF), cashing out your RSSP, or purchasing an annuity. Talk to us about the tax implications of each of these choices!
Pension Income- Are you 65 or older and receiving pension income? If your pension income is eligible, you can deduct a federal tax credit equal to 15% on the first $2,000 of pension income received – plus any provincial tax credits! Don’t currently have any pension income? You may want to think about withdrawing $2,000 from an RRIF each year or using RRSP funds to purchase an annuity that pays at least $2,000 per year.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – If you’ve reached the age of 60, you may be considering applying for CPP. Keep in mind that if you do this, the monthly amount you’ll receive will be smaller. Also, you don’t have to have retired to be able to apply for CPP. Talk to us; we can help you figure out what makes the most sense.
Old Age Security – If you’re 65 or older, ensure you’re enrolled for Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. Retroactive OAS payments are only available for up to 11 months plus the month you apply for your OAS benefits. If you’re running into OAS “clawback” issues, consider ways to split or reduce other sources of income to avoid this.
Estate planning arrangements – Review your estate plan annually to ensure that it reflects the current tax rules. Consider strategies for minimizing probate fees. If you’re over 64 and living in a high probate province, consider setting up an inter vivos trust as part of your estate plan.
Students
Education, tuition, and textbook tax credits – If you’re attending post-secondary school, claim these credits where available.
Canada training credit – If you’re between 25 to 65 and enrolled in an eligible educational institution, you can claim a federal tax credit of $250 for 2021. You can claim tuition paid on your taxes, carry the amount forward, or transfer an unused tuition amount to a spouse, parent, or grandparent.
Need some additional guidance?
Reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re here to help.
Essential tips and tricks for paying less tax and keeping more of your retirement income
/in Blog, retirement /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.Essential tips and tricks for paying less tax and keeping more of your retirement income
Most of your retirement income sources are taxable; Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), your personal pension plan (if you have one) and income from your RRIFs. However, if you’ve set up a TFSA in addition to your RRSPs, then you’re in luck – money you take out of your TFSA isn’t taxable!
We have some tips on combining savvy withdrawal strategies with retirement-related tax deductions to keep more of your retirement income.
Make a Plan
Determine all the different sources of retirement income you’ll have – don’t forget about things like annuities, GICs or income from a rental property if you have one. Once you have a complete list, a professional financial advisor can give you tips on when it’s best to start collecting pension income as well as how much to withdraw from your taxable investments. A strong plan can help reduce the amount of tax you have to pay and extend the life of your retirement income!
Split your pension income
If you have reached the age of 65 and have a pension, you can split up to 50% of the pension income with your spouse. Splitting your pension with a lower-income spouse can add up to savings, as this will cut down on the amount of taxes you’ll have to pay overall.
While rewarding, the process to split your pension income can be complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice before starting this process.
Buy an annuity
Annuities are a financial product that will provide you with a guaranteed regular income – a good choice if you are worried about your retirement savings running out.
These are the most common types of annuities:
Life annuities provide you with a guaranteed lifetime income, with the option for the annuity to be paid to a beneficiary after you die.
Term-certain annuities provide guaranteed income payments for a fixed period. A beneficiary or your estate will receive regular payments if you die before the term ends.
Variable annuities will provide you with both a fixed income and a variable income. The variable income will be based on the return of the annuity provider on the performance of the investments your annuity provider invests your money in.
All types of annuities will spread out the income from your retirement savings to lessen the tax you pay each year.
Take advantage of tax breaks
Now that you’re retired, there are retirement-related tax breaks you need to know about. Here are some of the tax breaks or credits you may be eligible for:
The age amount
The home accessibility tax credit
The medical expense tax credit
The disability tax credit
The pension income tax credit
We can help!
We can put together a plan that helps you keep more of your retirement income – call us today!
The Five Steps to Investment Planning
/in Blog, Financial Planning, Investment /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.The Five Steps to Investment Planning
For a long time, there were limited options for most investors. But now, there are hundreds of investments for investors to choose. However, this amount of choice can be overwhelming. Fortunately, an investment advisor can help you figure out what the right investment choices are for you.
Meeting your investment advisor
When you first meet with your investment advisor, they will tell you about their obligations and responsibilities. They should:
Give you general information about your various investment choices (e.g. stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
Tell you how they are compensated for their services
Ask if you have any questions about specific investment vehicles (such as RRSPs or TFSAs)
Determining your goals and expectations
The next step is to for your investment advisor to fill out a “Know Your Client” type of worksheet. The information on this worksheet will help your investment advisor determine the most suitable investment options for you. You’ll need to provide information on your:
Income
Net worth
Investment knowledge
Risk tolerance
Time horizon (how long you want to invest for)
How frequently do you want to invest
Developing your investment plan
Once they have all the information they need, your investment advisor will suggest the investments they think are appropriate for you.
Implementing the plan
Once you approve your investment advisor’s suggestions, you will fill in all the appropriate paperwork to set things in motion. After that, you must provide a way to fund your investments. Your investment advisor can then make any initial purchases and set up any ongoing fund purchases or transfers from other investments.
Monitoring the plan
Your investment advisor should contact you at least once a year to make sure your plan is still suitable for you and discuss any changes you want to make to it. If you have any major life events, such as getting married or changing jobs, you should contact your investment advisor to see if you should revisit your plan.
The sooner you start your investment planning, the sooner you can reach your investment goals! So contact us today!
Insurance Planning for Incorporated Professionals
/in Blog, buy sell, critical illness insurance, disability insurance, Group Benefits, health benefits, incorporated professionals, Insurance, life insurance, travel insurance /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.For incorporated professionals, making sure your practice is financially protected can be overwhelming. Incorporated professionals face a unique set of challenges when it comes to managing risk. Insurance can play an important role when it comes to reducing the financial impact on your practice in the case of uncontrollable events such as disability, or critical illness. This infographic and article address the importance of corporate insurance.
The 4 areas of insurance a incorporated professional should take care of are:
Health
Disability
Critical Illness
Life
Health: We are fortunate in Canada, where the healthcare system pays for basic healthcare services for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, not everything healthcare related is covered, in reality, 30% of our health costs* are paid for out of pocket or through private insurance such as prescription medication, dental, prescription glasses, physiotherapy, etc.
For incorporated professionals, offering employee health benefits make smart business sense because health benefits can form part of a compensation package and can help retain key employees and attract new talent.
For incorporated professionals that are looking to provide alternative health plans in a cost effective manner, you may want to consider a health spending account.
Disability: Most people spend money on protecting their home and car, but many overlook protecting their greatest asset: their ability to earn income. Unfortunately one in three people on average will be disabled for 90 days or more at least once before the age of 65.
Consider the financial impact this would have on your practice if you or a key employee were to suffer from an injury or illness. Disability insurance can provide a monthly income to help keep your practice running.
Business overhead expense insurance can provide monthly reimbursement of expenses during total disability such as rent for commercial space, utilities, employee salaries and benefits, equipment leasing costs, accounting fees, insurance premiums for property and liability, etc.
Key person disability insurance can be used to provide monthly funds for you or key employee while they’re disabled and protect the business from lost revenue while your business finds and trains an appropriate replacement.
Critical Illness: For a lot of us, the idea of experiencing a critical illness such as a heart attack, stroke or cancer can seem unlikely, but almost 3 in 4 (73%) working Canadians know someone who experience a serious illness. Sadly, this can have serious consequences on you, your family and business, with Critical Illness insurance, it provides a lump sum payment so you can focus on your recovery.
Key person critical illness insurance can be used to provide funds to the practice so it can supplement income during time away, cover debt repayment, salary for key employees or fixed overhead expenses.
Buy sell critical illness insurance can provide you with a lump sum payment if your business partner or shareholder were to suffer from a critical illness. These funds can be used to purchase the shares of the partner, fund a buy sell agreement and reassure creditors and suppliers.
Life: For an incorporated professional, not only do your employees depend on you for financial support but your loved ones do too. Life insurance is important because it can protect your practice and also be another form of investment for excess funds.
Key person life insurance can be used to provide a lump sum payment to the practice on death of the insured so it can keep the business going until you an appropriate replacement is found. It can also be used to retain loyal employees by supplying a retirement fund inside the insurance policy.
Loan coverage life insurance can help cover off any outstanding business loans and debts.
Reduce taxes & diversify your portfolio, often life insurance is viewed only as protection, however with permanent life insurance, there is an option to deposit excess funds not needed for operations to provide for tax-free growth (within government limits) to diversify your portfolio and reduce taxes on passive investments.
Talk to us to make sure you and your practice are protected.
Don’t lose all your hard-earned money to taxes
/in Blog, tax /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.Don’t lose all your hard-earned money to taxes
Tax planning is an essential part of managing your money – both while living and after your death. You want to maximize the amount of money to your beneficiaries, not the government. We have three tips to help you reduce taxes on your hard-earned money:
Make the most of the lifetime capital gains exemption
Decrease your end-of-life tax bill
Look into Immediate Financing Arrangements
Lifetime capital gains exemption
The good news is that you can save a lot of money on taxes using the lifetime capital gains exemption. The bad news is that you could lose out on some of those savings unless you follow all the appropriate steps. Having a financial team to guide you through these steps is essential. When it comes to selling all or part of your business, your lawyer, accountant, and financial advisor must be all on the same page.
End-of-life tax bill
As with the lifetime capital gains exemption, working with your financial team to ensure your affairs are in order is crucial. Without the proper paperwork, your hard-earned money may not go to the family members, friends, or charities you want to support. Take the time to ensure that your wishes are properly documented and that you have filled out all essential paperwork.
Consider an Immediate Financing Arrangement
An Immediate Financing Arrangement (IFA) lets your business:
Get a life insurance premium on behalf of a shareholder
Create a tax deduction
Transfer assets tax-free from the business to a shareholder’s estate
Also, you can use an IFA to help increase your business’ cash flow by pledging the life insurance policy as collateral for a loan. The loan can be invested into the business or other investments if the company does not need the additional cash flow.
The Takeaway
While this can all seem overwhelming, it is essential to make sure you take the proper steps to protect your business and minimize your tax bill. But you don’t have to do this alone – contact us today for expert advice and guidance.
Five Ways To Withdraw Money From Your Business In A Tax-Efficient Manner
/in Blog, Business Owners, corporate, tax /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.Five Ways To Withdraw Money From Your Business In A Tax-Efficient Manner
You have worked long and hard to build up your business, and now you are ready to withdraw money from your business’ bank account. But you don’t want to get hit with a huge tax bill. So here are 5 ways to withdraw money from your business in a tax-efficient manner.
1) Pay Yourself And Your Family Members
You can pay yourself a salary from your business and pay any family members who work in your business. However, the salary you pay family members must not be excessive – it must be in line with what they would receive for doing the same work elsewhere.
You and your family members will be taxed at the regular personal marginal tax rates on your salaries. However, your corporation can make a deduction based on salaries paid when determining taxable income.
2) Pay Out Taxable Dividends
You can use dividends to distribute money from your corporation to both yourself and family members if everyone holds shares in your corporation. However, when distributing dividends to a shareholder, it is critical to consider both the tax on split income (TOSI) rules and the corporate attribution rules before any distribution is made.
TOSI rules – Under the current income tax rules, the TOSI applies the highest marginal tax rate (currently 33%) to “split income” of an individual under the age of 18. In general, an individual’s split income includes certain taxable dividends, taxable capital gains and income from partnerships or trusts. – Canada.ca
Corporate attribution rules – Corporate attribution rules may result in additional tax if a transfer or loan to a corporation is made to shift income to another family member. This can result in additional tax for the individual making the transfer or loan.
3) Pay Out Capital Dividends
Another way to pay out dividends is via your corporation’s capital dividend account (CDA). Money in your corporation’s CDA can be dispersed to Canadian resident shareholders as a tax-free dividend, but be sure you are clear on what can legally be allowed in your CDA before you do this.
4) Adjust Your Salary And Dividend Mix
Keeping the right mix when paying yourself a salary and paying yourself via dividends is essential. You need to consider various factors – such as your cash flow needs, earned income for RRSP contributions, and any impact on taxes and other regulatory requirements – paying out salaries and dividends can have.
5) Repay Any Outstanding Shareholder Loans
If you loaned money to your company in the form of a shareholder loan, now may be the time to have your company repay that loan. Any money you receive to settle your shareholder loan will be paid to you as a tax-free distribution.
The Takeaway
Regardless of why you need to take cash out of your business, it is crucial to plan how to withdraw the money so you can do it in the most tax-efficient manner possible. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for this, which is why talking to a professional advisor is so important.
We can help design a tax-optimized compensation strategy for you. Contact us to set up a meeting today!
July/August COMMENT Newsletter
/in 2022 Only, Blog, CLU Comment /by Maritime Private Wealth Solutions Inc.COMMENT for July/August 2022
COMMENT is an informative newsletter targeted to the unique niche that CLU advisors occupy in the financial services industry, with a focus on risk management, wealth creation and preservation, estate planning, and wealth transfer.
Recent Technical Updates Involving the Value of Life Insurance
by Florence Marino
Let’s examine the recent Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) technical interpretations involving life insurance and valuation. Charitable Gift of a Permanent Life Insurance Policy Arising from a Term Conversion A charity may provide a receipt for a gift of a life insurance policy for its fair market value (FMV).
Retirement Income and the Order of Asset Withdrawal
By Frank Di Pietro
Canada’s population is aging quickly. According to Investor Economics, there will be more than 10 million Canadians over the age of 65 within 20 years, representing nearly one-quarter of the total population. Since the average retirement age is 63 and Canadians are living longer, the average retirement could last 25 to 30 years or more in some cases, using current mortality tables.
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