Estate & Trust Tax

Estate & Trust Tax Services in North Vancouver

Built to Help You Keep What's Yours

We guide families and executors through final returns, estate filings, and trust tax with care and clarity during a difficult time so nothing is missed, and nothing feels rushed.

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WHY IT MATTERS

We're a Familiar, Reassuring Presence During a Difficult Time

When a loved one passes away, taxes are usually the last thing a family wants to think about. We take that off your plate. Preparing final and estate returns, working directly with the CRA, and explaining each step in plain language, at a pace that respects what you're going through.

Managing an estate or trust often involves accounting requirements beyond what most executors are comfortable handling alone. Having an experienced CPA in your corner means the estate stays compliant, and you're never left guessing what happens next.

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One CPA guiding you from start to finish, not a rotating case file

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Clear explanations, no tax jargon left unexplained

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Direct coordination with your estate lawyer

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Compassionate pacing we work on your timeline

Our Estate & Trust Services

What We Handle for Your Family

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Final Tax Returns

The final return covering your loved one's income up to the date of death, prepared accurately and filed on time.

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Estate Returns

Ongoing returns for income the estate earns while assets are being administered and distributed to beneficiaries.

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Clearance Certificates

Confirmation from the CRA that all taxes owed by the estate are paid, protecting the executor from personal liability.

Trust Returns

Annual tax filings for family and testamentary trusts, prepared to keep the trust in good standing with the CRA.

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CLIENT STORY

Protecting a $2 Million Legacy for Four Children

A retired entrepreneur in his mid-70s had built considerable wealth, most of it sitting inside an investment holding company. His only request was simple: keep it simple, and make sure his four adult children were protected.

After reviewing his will, his full financial picture, and his corporate holdings, we recommended a straightforward strategy, paying himself larger dividends over time to build up a shareholder loan account, rather than adding complex new structures.

Over three years, we grew his shareholder loan account by roughly $2 million, an amount that can pass to his children tax-free after his passing.

FAQ

Questions Families Often Ask Us

What happens to taxes when a loved one passes away?

The CRA requires a final tax return covering income up to the date of death, and often an estate return for income the estate earns afterward. We prepare both and make sure nothing is missed.

What is a clearance certificate and why do I need one?

A clearance certificate confirms the CRA has been paid everything owed by the estate. Without one, executors can be held personally liable for unpaid taxes even after distributing assets to beneficiaries.

How long does it take to settle the tax side of an estate?

It varies, but most estates take several months to a year to fully resolve for tax purposes, depending on the complexity of the assets involved. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we understand the estate.

Do I need a lawyer as well as an accountant?

Often yes. A lawyer typically handles the legal probate process while we handle the tax and accounting side. We regularly coordinate directly with your lawyer so nothing falls through the cracks.

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