Category
10Think ten years ahead, not the night before the transfer.
Estate, Trust & Succession
T3, TP-646, estate planning, business succession. Thinking ten years ahead.
In Quebec, taxation at death can turn a profitable business into a six-figure tax bill for heirs, sometimes forcing a rushed sale. The right plan, put in place 5 to 10 years before the transfer, can use the lifetime capital gains exemption (up to ~$1.02M per shareholder), unfreeze appreciation and shift it to the next generation. But these mechanisms take time. they can't be done the night before the transfer.
- 01
A death-tax projection that puts the impact on your heirs in black and white
- 02
A transfer plan using the LCGE and estate freezes where applicable
- 03
All trust returns up to date, compliant with T3 and TP-646
- 04
Clean coordination between your CPA, notary, and estate lawyer
Frequently asked
What happens to my business if I die tomorrow?
Without planning, the shares are deemed sold at fair market value on death. triggering a taxable capital gain at the top rate, payable by the estate. Concretely, a $1.5M business can generate a $350K–$400K tax bill that heirs must find within six months.
What is an estate freeze, and do I need one?
An estate freeze locks the value of your current shares at a set amount, and all future growth goes to the next generation (often via a family trust). You keep control, you crystallize your LCGE, and you shift future growth. It's the most powerful tool for growing family businesses.
My parents have a family trust that's never filed a return. What do we do?
We catch up on the missing filings (federal T3 + Quebec TP-646), assess penalties, and look at whether a voluntary disclosure is appropriate. The longer you wait, the more penalties compound. But it's almost always recoverable. we've brought several back.
Ready to talk strategy?
An initial conversation, no fee, no commitment. We look at your situation and identify the concrete levers.