The Tax Chick Podcast

Fall 2025 has been a busy season for tax developments!

In this episode, I am joined by Financial Planner, Aravind, for a deep dive into one of the most common (and misunderstood) questions for incorporated business owners: Should I pay myself a salary or a dividend?

We unpack the myths, explore the tax mechanics, and walk through real-life planning considerations that go far beyond the coffee shop advice of “dividends are better.”  Spoiler alert: the answer is almost always “it depends"!  

Our conversation included:

• The concept of tax integration and why it matters
• Why CPP is not the villain it is sometimes made out to be
• How your business lifecycle affects compensation strategy
• What notional accounts are and why you should care
• The impact of salary on disability insurance, mortgage applications, and more
• Why dividends can be a powerful tool especially when cleaning up corporate tax accounts
• The importance of annual planning with your accountant and financial planner

CONNECT WITH MY GUEST:

In this episode of The Tax Chick Podcast, I am joined by my friend and fellow professional, Michelle D. Coleman, to dig into a topic that every executor needs to understand: the tax implications that arise after someone passes away.

Michelle shares her expertise on the common questions and pitfalls that executors face when navigating taxes on death. Together, we walk through the fundamentals of estate administration, tax filings, and why early planning and communication are so important.

We cover:

• The different tax returns that may need to be filed (terminal T1 return, estate T3 return, and more).
• How the deemed disposition of assets works in Canada — and what it means for executors.
• Why personal property (antiques, jewelry, collections, etc.) can create unexpected tax issues.
• The importance of holdbacks, communication with beneficiaries, and managing expectations.
• Special considerations for non-resident beneficiaries and why CRA clearances matter.
• The often-overlooked rules around executor compensation and tax reporting.
• Building a collaborative team of advisors (lawyer, accountant, investment professional) to help executors succeed.

If you have ever wondered what happens from a tax perspective after someone dies, or if you have been named an executor and feel unsure where to begin, this episode will give you a clear roadmap of what to expect and why it is so important to get the right advice early on.

MORE ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST:

If you have been listening to my podcast for a while, you will know how much I value my involvement with STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners). It is not just about the TEP designation.  What I love most are the connections, the learning, and the high-quality professional development that STEP provides. Honestly, it is some of the best CPD I get all year!

So, I am taking a quick detour from regular podcast programming to share with you the exciting lineup of events we have planned for our STEP Saskatchewan Branch!

Attendance at STEP events is open to non-members and members.  We are excited to launch the 2025-2026 Season for STEP Saskatchewan, and in this episode, I walk you through what is coming up this year!  All sessions are available in person or on demand - and the topics for this season have broad applicability outside of just Saskatchewan practitioners.  Here is the scoop:

• September 15, 2025 - We are kicking off the season with a BIG celebration (STEP Saskatchewan is the first Chapter in Canada to achieve full branch status!)
• October 8, 2025 – Tax Update:  Top Estate and Trust Issues (with special guest, Kenneth Keung, CPA, CA, CPA (CO, USA), CFP, MTAX, LLB, TEP, Vancouver: Doane Grant Thornton LLP)
• November 5, 2025 – Death of a Property Owner - Planning with Interests in Real Estate (with special guests, Tannis Dawson CPA, CA, CFP, RRC, FEA, TEP, Winnipeg: TD Wealth and Krista Evanisky, JD, TEP, Saskatoon: Clarity Law)
• April 8, 2026 – A Practitioner's Guide to the Trust Life Cycle: Tax and Best Practices (with special guest, Troy McEachren, BCL, LLB, TEP, Montreal: Miller Thomson LLP)
• May 6, 2026 – US Cross Border Properties and Estates (with special guest, Mariska Loeppky, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, Winnipeg: IG Private Wealth Management)

RESOURCES DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE:

This mini-episode is inspired by one of the most common questions I get from clients and advisors alike: “What is estate planning?” We hear about it all the time, but what does it actually mean?

Spoiler alert: it’s more than just writing your Will!

I break down:
- The core documents that make up an estate plan
- The "investigation" stage
- Understanding the "little" tax and the "big" tax
- Death folders

Estate planning is about more than documents.  It is about communication, preparation, and making life easier for the people you leave behind. It is a team effort, and it is never too early to start!

For more information on this topic, check out Season 2, Episode 10 of the Podcast, "Estate Planning 101 with Christine van Cauwenberghe".

HERE ARE SOME OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME: