Trust and estate tax services

Who it is for

Executors and trustees who need to meet an estate’s tax obligations, and individuals and families who want to plan ahead. Estate planning can be useful both before and after death.

How we help

After a death, we make sure all required tax compliance is met, including the deceased’s final personal return, estate returns as needed, and the clearance certificate. We also offer trust and estate planning that can help with tax minimization, asset protection, privacy and reducing probate fees.

Our trust and estate services include

• Customized estate planning
• Tax and probate fee minimization
• Date-of-death returns and other optional returns
• Trust and estate returns (T3)
• Guidance on administering estates and trusts
• Advice on whether family trusts, alter ego trusts and spousal trusts belong in your estate plan
• Post-mortem planning to avoid double taxation
• Charitable giving planning and reporting

Plain-language guide

Final (date-of-death) return

The personal tax return that reports the deceased’s income from January 1 to the date of death. In some cases optional returns can also be filed, which may reduce the total tax.

Clearance certificate

A certificate from the CRA confirming that the taxes owed by the deceased or the estate have been paid or secured. Executors usually obtain one before distributing the estate.

Alter ego and spousal trusts

Trusts that can hold assets for you or your spouse during your lifetime and pass them on afterwards, sometimes reducing probate fees and keeping matters private.

What to do next

Contact our trust and estate team to talk through your situation, or call the office nearest you. See also Personal Tax and, for business owners, succession planning.