Higher inflation, a hawkish pivot by central banks and increasing fears of a recession weighed on both equities and fixed income during the second quarter. Unfortunately, there was no reprieve from the volatility of the first quarter.
What a difference three months can make. The first quarter of 2022 was a stark contrast to the way markets ended 2021. Many equity indices went through a correction, bond yields climbed sharply (meaning bond prices fell), while central banks began raising rates.
A vacation property—whether it’s a cottage in Muskoka or a chalet at Tremblant—is a valuable asset, not just in terms of the real estate, but also as a place that holds years of family memories. For many Canadians, passing the property to the next generation is a priority, but there are significant tax and non-tax-related considerations associated with keeping that cabin or condo in the family.
The recently announced Federal budget contains several measures that could affect your financial plans. We’ve provided key takeaways and a summary of the budget proposals.
A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a great tool to build wealth for most Canadians while paying less tax. Although there are many benefits to investing in a TFSA, there can also be costly mistakes. This article outlines the eight most common pitfalls people encounter and how to avoid them.
64% of business owners want to transition their business in the next 10 years. However, 51% feel the next generation is not ready and 39% worry the next generation is uninterested. Whether you plan to keep your business in the family or sell to a third party, how can you ensure your business is ready for the sale?
A year ago, many countries were managing through their second wave of COVID-19 infections. Many equity markets nevertheless had staged a full and complete recovery to their pre-COVID highs. Despite the equity recovery, investors were still nervous. A year ago, we had just started to hear news of pending approvals of COVID vaccines.
Many Canadians designate a direct beneficiary on their RRSP, RRIF, TFSA or insurance policies without giving it a second thought (although in Quebec, beneficiary designations are only effective on insurance policies). However, designating a direct beneficiary is not recommended for many plan/policy owners, where they have non-traditional or unique family situations, as it can lead to unfavourable tax implications for beneficiaries.
Did you know that many Canadians are not adequately prepared to pass on or inherit family wealth? This is often due to a lack of communication and planning. The good news is that it’s never too early or too late to start. Planning helps you identify tax saving opportunities, mitigate potential financial gaps and maximize your current lifestyle.
The lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE) is one of the key tax planning advantages available to small business owners, farmers, and fishers. In 2021, it can exempt from tax up to $892,218 of capital gains realized on the sale of shares of a qualified small business corporation and up to $1 million of capital gains realized on the sale of shares of a family farm or fishing corporation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have embraced an environment where employees work from home. With the opportunity to work from home, some Canadians are taking the opportunity to work from anywhere. For some that means working from the cottage or working from a foreign location. Before you switch from working from home to a location of your choice, there are a few things that you should consider.
With an increasingly aging population, issues around providing services, including financial advice to seniors, are becoming more important. While attention is often focused on funding retirement and wealth transfer to the next generation, susceptibility to fraud often goes unnoticed.