Category Archives: Blog

IS YOUR CRYPTO CANADIAN OR FOREIGN? AND WHY IT MATTERS?

A cryptocurrency asset is intangible and digital and exists through a blockchain or other decentralized network via distributed ledger technology or DLT. A distributed ledger is like a database where electronic records are stored and shared and then replicated across various locations around the globe. They are maintained by a decentralized peer-to-peer network, which means […]

HOW CRYPTOCURRENCY IS TAXED UPON DEATH IN CANADA

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, and Fantom are just some of the cryptocurrencies used for investment by many Canadians. There are also non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which are becoming ever more mainstream in the world of collectibles and art. Considering the growing popularity of both, it’s fair to say a lot of investors need to know […]

HOW ARE GIFTS TAXED IN CANADA?

If a receipt constitutes income, it’s taxable. However, according to Canadian law, there isn’t an unambiguous definition of ‘income.’ Tax must be paid on taxable income (the taxpayer’s yearly income). Yet, this isn’t clear because the Income Tax Act has income defined as taxable income instead of offering an exact definition. The courts have determined […]

HOME BUYERS PLAN

Saving up for a down payment can seem like an impossible task. The good news is that first-time homebuyers in Canada can withdraw funds tax-free from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) to contribute to a down payment. The program is called the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, and in order to be eligible, there are […]

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION BASICS

FIRST THINGS FIRST When a loved one dies, and you are responsible for dealing with their affairs after death, including for administering their estate, you may be experiencing uncertainty about your role, on top of all the emotions that come when grieving a loved one. One of the first duties of the estate trustee, usually […]

CRYPTOCURRENCY TRADING AND CANADIAN INCOME TAX

Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Polygon, Fantom, Avalanche, and Bitcoin, to name a few, are digital assets using cryptographic techniques in order to transfer assets securely and create more cryptocurrency units. The main feature is a blockchain (or transaction) recording ledger that is not controlled by the government or any central authority. Cryptocurrencies each have their own […]

COTTAGE TAXATION AND PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION

Since the Covid-19 pandemic prevented many Canadians from going on overseas vacations and since so many people are still working from home, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to discover there has been a boom in cottage sales lately. In fact, during the first nine months of 2020, cottage sales went up almost 12% in […]

CONSISTENT FAILING TO FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS

Falling behind on filing income tax returns and paying taxes is more common than you think. However, as a Canadian taxpayer, it is your responsibility to calculate, submit, and pay your taxes by the deadlines. The deadline for filing 2021 taxes is April 30th, 2022, for individuals and June 15th, 2022, for those who are […]