It’s still not too late to talk to clients about tax planning, but advisors must act quickly before year end.
“With 2012 drawing to a close and the very busy holiday season approaching, Canadians [and their advisors] shouldn’t forget tax planning opportunities that may disappear if they don’t act before year end,” says Jamie Golombek, managing director of tax and estate planning at CIBC Private Wealth Management,
Golombek offers these five last-minute tax tips for clients in his recent report:
1. Donate to charity
Remind philanthropically minded clients to make their donations before December 31.
Many donations can now be made instantly online and, depending on the province of residence, clients who give more than $200 can receive $100 back for every additional $100 donated.
2. Contribute to RESPs
Clients who want to take advantage of government savings grants for a registered education savings plan (RESP) need to make a contribution soon.
Contributions made before yearend are eligible for a 20% Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) on the first $2,500 donated up to a lifetime limit of $7,200. As well, if clients have missed contributions in years past they can make an enhanced catch-up contribution in 2012.
Time may be running out if your clients have not set up an RESP for their teenaged children. In order to qualify for a CESG, clienta needs to make a contribution by Dec. 31st in the year the beneficiary turns 15.
3. Find deductible expenses
Before every last penny goes to holiday gifts, advisors should remind clients to pay off deductible expenses.
Many expenses, such as interest on money borrowed for investing or student loans, daycare fees, and children’s fitness or arts fees, are tax deductible. For instance, if a client pays $500 in children’s swimming lessons by December 31, he or she could see up to $75 in reduced taxes.
4. Make TFSA withdrawals strategically
If clients intend to withdraw money from a tax-free savings account (TFSA) in the new year, suggest that they do so before they gather to sing “Auld Lang Syne”
When clients make a withdrawal from a TFSA in December they only have to wait a few weeks, and not a whole year, to re-contribute the money in 2013.
5. Pay attention to age
For older clients about to retire or who already have, there are a few tax items to keep for 2012.
Clients turning 65 in 2012 who have not applied for Old Age Security benefits have only a limited time left to receive retroactive benefits that are worth over $6,500. Clients will need to apply as soon as possible so as not to miss out.
For clients who turned 71 in 2012, now is the time to make final contributions to their registered retirement savings plan and convert it into a registered retirement income fund or registered annuity.
More details are available in Golombek’s report, 2012 Year End Tax Tips, and in his recent webinar.