My name is Mark Goodfield. Welcome to The Blunt Bean Counter ™, a blog that shares my thoughts on income taxes, finance and the psychology of money. I am a Chartered Professional Accountant. This blog is meant for everyone, but in particular for high net worth individuals and owners of private corporations. My posts are blunt, opinionated and even have a twist of humour/sarcasm. You've been warned. Please note the blog posts are time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation or law.

Monday, May 22, 2023

What Income Tax Rate(s) Should You Use in Estimating Your Estate Tax Liability?

In my last blog post, I discussed that for tax and estate planning purposes, you should estimate your current estate tax liability and then plan how your estate will cover off this liability (which in many cases is an ever growing tax liability). Today, I want to discuss what income tax rate(s) you may wish to use in estimating your estate tax liability.

For clarity, this exercise to estimate your estate tax liability is not meant to be definitive calculation (if you wish a definitive calculation, you will need to engage your accountant and possibly a business evaluator). This exercise is intended to provide you with a starting point, so that you have a number to plan with, whether your intention is for your estate to cover off this potential tax liability by a sinking fund, cash on hand, liquidation of your assets, insurance or some combination of all of the above.

One would think the income tax rate(s) to be used in estimating your estate tax liability would be a straightforward calculation, but there is a little more than meets the eye. Please keep in mind, that I am assuming you are the last spouse to pass-away for this estimated calculation, as if you are the first spouse to die and transfer your assets to your surviving spouse, there is no tax at that point in time.

For RRSPs, RRIFs or any other income related items taxable on death, I usually use the highest current marginal rate of 53.53% (in Ontario). This assumes your estate’s income tax rate is mostly high rate in the year of death. While that is typically the case with most of the people I work with, that may not be your case and you may be able to utilize a lower marginal tax rate, but if you want to be conservative, the highest marginal rate builds in a buffer.

As most people like to think/hope personal marginal rates will not increase much in the future (although many of us thought the same when rates were 45%), they are comfortable using the current 53.53% rate for a future rate on income type items.

Things become trickier when determining the appropriate tax rate to use on capital items. The highest current marginal capital gains rate is 26.76% (in Ontario). However, many people assume capital gains rates are going to increase in the future, so the rate to use is not entirely clear. Thus, I typically provide an alternative estimate using 26.76% and another using 40% assuming a higher future capital gains inclusion rate of 3/4 of the capital gain (as opposed to the current inclusion rate of 1/2 of the capital gain) for capital gains rates on personally held assets. If you do not expect your estate to be at the highest marginal rate on your death, you can use the lower marginal rates; but remember, the inclusion of your RRSP/RRIF value on your death will in many cases move you into a much higher income tax bracket. 

The future capital gains rate is even more complicated for shareholders of private corporations, since their shares are potentially subject to double taxation if proper steps are not undertaken to alleviate this liability. Double taxation can occur where the estate pays tax on the deemed disposition reported on the owner’s terminal tax return, and then the estate pays further tax when it removes the assets from the corporation in the form of dividends to the estate. 

There are two tax planning strategies that can generally eliminate any double tax; however, both techniques have some potential restrictions:

(1) The first is known as a subsection 164(6) loss carryback. In simple terms a loss is created on a share redemption by the estate that reduces or eliminates the capital gain that arose as result of the deemed disposition on death.

(2) The second, known as the pipeline strategy allows the estate to remove the corporate funds generally tax-free. This is achieved by transferring the deceased owner’s shares to a new corporation and using share redemptions and a netting of promissory notes to remove those funds tax-free.

However, a pipeline strategy can be problematic in certain circumstances and the strategy relies upon the CRA allowing such a strategy in the future. This makes determining a future capital gains rate potentially problematic. So, when I prepare my estate tax liability, for private corporations I use a 30% rate as a low-end and a 40% rate as a high-end estimate (Note: unlike above, I am not using the 40% rate because of the prospect of a capital gain rate inclusion increase, but as a dividend rate if a pipeline cannot be undertaken or is partially blocked).

If your private company shares qualify for the lifetime capital gains exemption because they are Qualified Small Business Corporation shares, you will need to factor in the fact that $971,190 (as of 2023) of the capital gain will not be taxable. 

Finally, the tax rate on a private corporation share can also be impacted by corporate attributes such as the Capital Dividend Account and refundable income taxes on hand (NERDTOH and ERDTOH), which again makes it more difficult to determine the appropriate income tax rate. Where your corporation has these tax preference items, your accountant needs to undertake more detailed calculations. 

The question of which tax rates should be used for an estate tax liability estimate is somewhat complicated as discussed above and subject to future taxation legislation and government policy. Thus, as noted above, I personally provide clients with two estimates: (1) Using the highest marginal rate for income items and a 30% capital gains rate and (2) a second more conservative estimate using the highest marginal rate for income items and a 40% capital gains rate. This at least provides a range of their potential future estate tax liability. 

For purpose of this blog, I am hoping/ignoring the possibility that a future government implements an Estate Tax like that in the United States (the estate tax can go as high as 40% Federally subject to exemptions) as that would significantly affect any future tax liability planning.

Finally, as the above discussion is premised on estimates, please ensure you consult your accountant or estate planning specialist for specific estate planning advice and the determination of your estate tax liability. This advice should be obtained earlier rather than later and then reviewed every few years thereafter as personal circumstances change and new legislation is introduced.

This site provides general information on various tax issues and other matters. The information is not intended to constitute professional advice and may not be appropriate for a specific individual or fact situation. It is written by the author solely in their personal capacity and cannot be attributed to the accounting firm with which they are affiliated. It is not intended to constitute professional advice, and neither the author nor the firm with which the author is associated shall accept any liability in respect of any reliance on the information contained herein. Readers should always consult with their professional advisors in respect of their particular situation. Please note the blog post is time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation or law.

Monday, May 8, 2023

Your Tax Liability on Death – Planning on how Your Estate will Best Cover the Taxes Owing

Since retiring from public accounting, I am working part-time as a Tax and Estate Consultant for a Wealth Management (“WM”) firm and as a Quarterback/Part-time CFO for a couple of families.

When working with the WM firm's clients, I like to provide them with an estimate of their anticipated income tax liability on death based on their current net worth. I find this is often a very useful exercise for clients, so that they can plan and consider how their estate will cover their tax liability upon their passing (typically the last spouse to die, as the first spouse can transfer their assets tax-free to there surviving spouse). In my experience, an estate tax liability is dealt with in one or some combination of four ways: 

1. Through a self-funding sinking/savings fund

2. Through the estate’s anticipated cash on hand

3. Through the liquidation of the estate’s assets (potentially at the risk of selling at lower or fire-sale price)

4. Through the purchase of life insurance

While clients are typically “glad” to know their anticipated estate tax liability (based on their current net worth), they often have two questions. The first question is if they anticipate their estate to keep growing from this point in time, how do they factor in the future growth and related tax liability?

The second question they ask (or I point out) is what is the proper income tax rate to use to determine an estate’s future tax liability given potential government funding needs and potential future changes in capital gains rates or marginal tax rates?

Today, I will address the first question and the second question will be covered in my next blog post.


How do you Plan to Cover Your (Ever-Growing) Estate Tax Liability?


This is a very complex question. The answer for many people whose wealth comes in large part from a private corporation (usually an active corporation, but it may be applicable to a passive investment holding company) is often an estate freeze. The characteristics of someone who would consider an estate freeze are that they are typically 55 years of age or older and their current assets would provide more than they need to live comfortably for the rest of their life. 

An estate freeze sets, or “freezes” the value of the shares of a corporation(s) at their current value (say $10,000,000 for discussion purposes). You as the shareholder of the corporation receive freeze shares (preference shares) worth $10,000,00 in exchange for your current common shares and your children then subscribe for new, nominally priced commons shares. Any future growth in the company's value above $10,000,000 accrues to the children’s benefit and not your estate and thereby defers income tax on the gain above the $10,000,000 threshold to the next generation. Once the share value is frozen, the business owner will only be taxed on the capital gains on their frozen preferred shares at the time of the death (which may decrease as discussed below). The freeze is set-up so that you maintain control of the company with voting shares, even though your children own the growth shares. 

In many cases, for tax planning purposes the business owner's freeze shares are redeemed over time, such that the $10,000,000 value is decreased over the years by the shares redeemed. So, if you redeemed $200,000 of your preference shares for 10 years, your estate tax liability would now be based on only $8,000,000, not $10,000,000.

While your other assets may continue to grow over time, your major asset (private company shares) will not grow in value and may decrease as shares are redeemed. I have written previously about estate freezes, here is the link.

I have also written on why some succession experts feel an estate freeze may be the wrong solution. Here are two blog posts that provide an alternative viewpoint. Are Estate Freezes the Wrong Solution for Family Business Succession and Part 2

As noted above, an estate freeze will only stop the growth of your private company shares (or possibly investment company shares), so you must now concern yourself with the likelihood the remainder of your estate will continue to grow (including your company shares if you do not implement an estate freeze).

One potential way to cover the estate tax liability is a self-funded sinking fund/savings fund. While this sounds like a reasonable option, I personally have never seen someone cover off their eventual estate liability using this method, due to fluctuations in corporate profitability (for private company owners) and alternative needs at certain times for capital (home renovations, kid's weddings, houses etc.) or other projects. However, a sinking fund could at least partially offset the estate liability, especially if you create a fund in conjunction with the estate's expected cash on hand (for example cash, money market investments and GIC's in your portfolio).

Most people, whether they are very high-net-worth or not, have no objection to their estate just liquidating their assets upon their death to pay any final personal taxes and having any remaining funds (net of income taxes) become their family’s inheritance. Practically, this is the typical manner in which most estate taxes are paid. The main issue with the liquidation of assets is that the estate may not be selling at an opportune time or even be able to sell the assets unless they fire-sale the asset (if the economic conditions are poor at the time of your passing).

Some people explicitly do not wish their estate to liquidate certain assets. For these people, the assets may be legacy or sentimental, such as family land or real estate properties, a cottage or the family business. Alternatively, it is a business reason, such as the parent thinks the assets have large growth potential if kept say 10-20 years.

Based on the discussion above, if you are fine with your estate liquidating your assets, you likely do not have to worry about your estate tax liability. However, as discussed, there could be timing issues raising the cash and a liquidation at the wrong time in an economic cycle, may not maximize your asset value.

If you are able to self-fund and/or leave significant cash in your estate, your estate may only need to sell some of your additional assets to cover your estate liability and the estate may be able to hold certain legacy assets.

If you foresee any gaps in funding your estate tax liability, or don’t wish your estate to liquidate your assets (or are okay with liquidation, but only when market timing allows your estate to receive fair market value for those assets), then you may wish to utilize life insurance (typically permanent insurance) to cover any anticipated shortfall. Alternatively, some people use insurance (which in the correct income tax circumstances can often have an excellent rate of return even after the premiums) to fully-fund their estate liability or even leave a larger estate for their beneficiaries. If insurance is used, you often build in an estimate of future asset growth to cover any additional tax liability that will accrue between today and the date you pass away. While this estimate of additional taxes may be off-target, you can revisit your insurance over the years depending upon your health.

As with an estate freeze, there again is a definite advantage to having a corporation, as corporate insurance is far more tax effective than personal insurance. I have written on this topic a few times including this post on The Basics and Uses of Term and Permanent Life Insurance and discussed insurance on these Podcasts:

The Blunt Bean Counter: Life Insurance for High-Net-Worth Individuals and Corporate Business Owners - Podcast and Blog 

The Blunt Bean Counter: Some of the Tough Questions to ask When Considering a Permanent Life Insurance Policy - Podcast and Blog

I have not discussed gifting assets, since a gift of capital property creates a deemed disposition and triggers any income tax related to that asset. However, depending upon your circumstances, gifts of capital property can "smooth" out your tax liability over our lifetime.

For all the above considerations, you must consult your accountant, tax professional or financial advisor to determine if any of the planning makes sense for you, based on your personal fact situation.

In my next blog post, I will discuss the income tax rate you should use when trying to determine your estate tax liability, which is not as simple as it sounds.

This site provides general information on various tax issues and other matters. The information is not intended to constitute professional advice and may not be appropriate for a specific individual or fact situation. It is written by the author solely in their personal capacity and cannot be attributed to the accounting firm with which they are affiliated. It is not intended to constitute professional advice, and neither the author nor the firm with which the author is associated shall accept any liability in respect of any reliance on the information contained herein. Readers should always consult with their professional advisors in respect of their particular situation. Please note the blog post is time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation or law.