Family Business Succession
–
Plan and execute successful family business successions with confidence.

Join Michael Cadesky and Hugh Woolley as they unpack the tax, valuation, and legal aspects of intergenerational business transfers – including estate freezes, capital gains exemptions, and the section 84.1 rules.

Get Access | $150
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On-Demand
On-Demand

2 Hours CPD
2 Hours CPD

Included in Archive
Included in Archive

Course Overview

Across Canada, many family-owned businesses are approaching a transition point as founders retire and the next generation steps in. These successions can create significant tax, valuation, and planning challenges. Without proper guidance, families risk unnecessary tax costs, strained relationships, and lost business value. This program will equip you to guide clients through a smooth transfer of ownership.
Learning Objectives
1
Understand the Tax and Valuation Issues in Family Business Transfers
2
Apply Estate Freezes and Capital Gains Exemptions Effectively
3
Navigate the New Intergenerational Transfer Rules Under Section 84.1
4
Develop Practical Succession Plans that Balance Tax Efficiency and Fairness Among Family Members

Seminar Snapshot

Date Recorded
March 12, 2024
Presentation
■ Yes
Slides
■ Yes
Detailed Notes
■ Yes
Technical Corner
■ NO
Teach Test
■ No
Resources
■ Yes
Included in Archive
■ NO

SUCCESSION OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS

Duration
2 hours + Optional Q&A Recording
CPD CPD Certificate
Category
Estate Planning
Family business transitions involve complex tax, valuation, and planning challenges that go far beyond simply transferring ownership. This course examines the evolving rules under section 84.1 and the 2024 amendments for "genuine" intergenerational business transfers, guiding CPAs through practical approaches to structure, value, and finance the sale of a family enterprise.

Through detailed case studies, participants explore estate freezes, capital gains exemptions, shareholder and trust planning, and the interaction of tax rules with family dynamics and fairness concerns.
After completing this program, you will be confident with:
  • Applying the new intergenerational transfer rules under section 84.1, including distinctions between immediate and gradual transfers
  • Structuring tax-efficient sales between generations while avoiding dividend recharacterization and costly "surplus stripping" outcomes
  • Integrating estate freezes, trusts, and valuation techniques to balance fairness and control among family members
  • Managing capital gains reserves and payment structures to optimize after-tax proceeds and cash flow for both parent and child
  • Advising clients on control, governance, and family law considerations, including the role of discretionary trusts and shareholders' agreements
This course is essential if you are responsible for:
  • Advising business owners and families on succession and wealth transfer planning
  • Preparing or reviewing tax plans involving corporate reorganizations or estate freezes
  • Designing trust and shareholder arrangements for family enterprises

Meet Your Presenters

Michael Cadesky

Michael Cadesky

FCPA, FCA, FTIHK, CTA, TEP (EMERITUS)

Michael Cadesky is the managing partner at Cadesky Tax and a committed contributor to the tax and accounting professions since 1980, earning the title of Fellow from CPA Ontario. He is a past governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation, past chair of STEP Canada and STEP Worldwide, and past chair of the CPA Canada Tax Committee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Michael is also the co-author of 11 books on tax subjects and the author or co-author of numerous papers and articles on Canadian and international taxation.

Hugh Woolley

Hugh Woolley

CPA, CA, TEP

Hugh Woolley is an independent tax consultant who has taught income tax for over 30 years for a number of different professional organizations. Hugh has written courses for CPA Canada and over 10 papers for the B.C. Tax Conference as well as papers for the CTF's National Tax Conference and STEP Canada's National Conference. From 1990–1992 he worked at the CRA's Rulings Directorate in Ottawa writing "butterfly" tax rulings. Hugh is a past Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you complete your purchase, you will create your account if you haven't already. You can access the course anytime through our platform. All Cadesky Tax Seminars programs come with one-year access.
Yes. This course is eligible for verifiable CPD hours for Canadian CPAs. A downloadable Certificate of Completion will be available once you complete all required modules.
Our programs are designed for CPAs and tax professionals who want to deepen their technical expertise. While no prerequisites are required, a working knowledge of Canadian tax will help you get the most out of the material.
On-demand courses include the full video presentation, downloadable slides, and additional resources mentioned in the Seminar Snapshot (Technical Corner, teach test, checklists).
Yes. You will have unlimited access to the course materials within the 1-year access period, so you can revisit the content anytime to refresh your knowledge.

Trusted by CPAs and Tax Professionals across Canada

This is a first time for me as well. Your firm was recommended to by one of my friends. Great source of information.

Thank you Mike, Hugh and team! I enjoyed the practical and realistic solutions to various tax issues.

Thank you ALL for such high quality courses and answering the questions in detail! So glad I found you guys!

Thank you very much for the seminars. They are very informative and helpful.

Thank you for the wonderful presentation, materials, and handling of queries as always.

This is my first time taking the Cadesky Tax Seminars. I am learning a lot and watching archived courses too. You have done a great job. Thank you so much!

I really enjoy your seminar series. Your presentations are extremely thorough and you explain complex tax issues very clearly.

The presentations are relevant. The material is easy to follow. Worked examples are excellent. It is a great value.