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The Accounting Place and Croft Financial Group are working together to bring clients what they describe as the ‘future of financial services’.

By bringing in advisors from both groups, they plan to offer a fully integrated, family office experience, from financial, tax, insurance and estate planning through to the required investment accounts and portfolio management needed to put the plan into action.

For more information on this and how you might benefit, viewers can register on either website to be kept up to date with developments as they continue to roll-out ‘the future of financial services’.

The post The future of financial services first appeared on The Accounting Place.

Capital Gains receive preferential treatment under the Canadian Tax System.  This is primarily because investments carry a certain amount of risk but at the same time, stimulate economic growth within Canada.

A PRIMER

In general, a capital gain is the difference between an assets cost base and the proceeds of disposition when the asset is sold.  The difference represents the capital gain or loss and becomes the profit or income from the asset.  In most cases, a capital gain is not recognized as income until the asset is sold allowing for the deferral of tax until there is cash from the sale to pay the income taxes.

TERMINOLOGY

• Proceeds of Disposition is the amount received on the sale of the asset. 
  
• Outlays and Expenses from the disposition of the asset are the expenses incurred to sell the asset.  For example, a real estate transaction would include Realtor commissions and Lawyer fees.
  
• Cost Base is the amount original paid to acquire the asset.
  
• Adjusted Cost Base is the Cost Base plus expenses incurred to improve the asset.  Using the real estate example, this could include adding a garage or replacing the roof or furnace.

Capital Gains are taxed based on the “Inclusion Rate” in effect at the time of sale or realization of the disposition of the asset.  Since 1972 when Capital Gains taxes came into effect, the Inclusion Rate has varied:

HOW THIS WORKS

Let’s say you own a home that you rented to a third party.  You purchased it on July 1^st, 2000, for $125,000 plus legal fees of $1,500.  Since then, you have collected the rent but also spent $25,000 to improve the property.  Your Adjusted Cost Base is $151,500. 
($125k + 1.5k + $25k = $151,500)

You decide that it’s time to retire and sell the property for $500,000 and incur expenses of $15,000 real estate commissions and $3,000 in legal fees.  Your Proceeds of Disposition are $500,000 and your Outlays and Expenses are $18,000.

The Capital Gain becomes $366,500.  The date of closing becomes the sale date.  If the sale closed on June 24, 2024, your Capital Gain Inclusion would be $183,250 ($366,500 * 50% = $183,250) which would be taxed at your Marginal Tax Rate.

JUNE 25, 2024, CHANGE

Effective June 25, 2024, legislative changes have been put in place that changes the Inclusion Rate to 66.67% on Capital Gains more than $250,000 per calendar year.  Therefore, a sale on June 25, 2024, results in a double calculation.

The Taxable Amount of the Capital Gain in 2024 will be $202,705.50 ($125.k + $77.705k) and taxed at the Marginal Tax Rate of the individual.

Structuring Matters

Real Wealth Management involves the structuring of sources of income, types of income and in some cases when and how the income will be taxed.  Contact us to see how we can help you.

The post Capital Gains Changes for 2024 first appeared on The Accounting Place.

RRSP contributions are tax-deductible, while the TFSA is not. This means the amount that is contributed to the RRSP is deducted from your total income for the year and reduces your current income taxes payable. Many individuals prefer the RRSP for this reason alone. If you currently find yourself in a high tax bracket, the RRSP is likely the most beneficial option for you.

As mentioned, contributions to a TFSA are not tax-deductible. However, while a deduction is not granted on your personal tax return, the income is not taxed when withdrawn from the account. If you expect to receive pension income in your retirement, the TFSA may be the best option.

Both the RRSP and the TFSA provide a tax-shelter for your investments. This means investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains etc.) that is earned inside the account is not taxed as it is earned. Rather, the income earned inside an RRSP is reported upon withdrawal (ideally in retirement when income levels are usually at their lowest).

As the name suggests, any investment income earned inside a TFSA is tax-free and is not reported on your personal tax return. Not when earned, or withdrawn from the account.

Always speak with your tax professional to find the best strategy that works for your tax situation.

The post What’s the difference between an RRSP and a TFSA? first appeared on The Accounting Place.

Fortunately this amount will not become taxable but is for reporting only based on the designation you apply to the property. Form T2091 Designation of a Property as a Principal Residence requires you to make a declaration from one of three choices.

1. Designate as your principal residence for all years owned or;
2. Designate as your principal residence for some, but not all, years owned or;
3. Designate multiple properties to have been your principal residence(s) for some or all of the years owned.

If your designation is option 2 or 3 above, then you will need to complete Form T2091 and may potentially be subject to income tax on a portion of the capital gain.

In Canada, the gain on principal residences is exempt from income taxes in most cases. Taxation will come into effect when more than one personal property is owned at the same time, such as a residence and a cottage, or if you are not a resident of Canada.

The post Principal Residence Reporting first appeared on The Accounting Place.

For the 2015 year, filing requirements have changed again. therefore a review of what is currently required is beneficial.

Who has to file form T1135?
All Canadian resident taxpayers are required to file if at any time throughout the year,the total cost of specified foreign property was more than $100,000 CDN.

What is Specified Foreign Property?
Specified Foreign Property is an extensive list so rather than list our what it is, let’s list what does not have to be reported.
– Personal Use Property such as a winter home that is not used for rental income purposes
– Mutual Funds
– Registered Investments such as a 401K
– Property used exclusively to earn “Active Business Income”

What Information is Needed?
In general, form T1135 – Foreign Income Verification Statement will require the following information for each foreign holding:
– Type of Investment or Holding
– Country where asset is located
– The maximum cost at anytime throughout the year
– The cost at the end of the year
– The amount of income earned from the investment
– The amount of any Capital Gains/Losses realized

With the constant evolution of this reporting requirement, taxpayers should remain diligent in recording and reporting foreign holdings as penalties for non-compliance are expensive.

The post Foreign Income Verification Statement first appeared on The Accounting Place.