Taxation of Divorce & Separation
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Separation and divorce can trigger support, property, and compliance challenges with significant tax consequences.
Michael Cadesky and Hugh Woolley explain the tax rules for support payments, property transfers, and corporate reorganizations, giving you the knowledge to guide clients through complex transitions with accuracy and care.
- Meaning of Spouse/Common Law Partner for Income Tax Purposes
- Meaning of Conjugal Relationship
- Separation for Income Tax Purposes
- Tax Filings Upon Separation
- Conditions for Deducting Spousal Support
- Written Agreement or Court Order Requirements
- Periodic Payment Criteria
- Third-Party Payments: General and Specific Rules
- Ordering Rules and Arrears Payments
- Payments To/From Non-Residents
- Separation of Marital Property Rules
- Principal Residence Considerations
- Transfer of Deferred Plans (RRSP, RRIF, FHSA)
- CPP Credits Division
- Spousal Attribution Rules
- Private Company Shares Transfer Strategies
- Corporate Reorganizations and Butterflies
- Trust Distributions in Separation
- Partition of Matrimonial Property
- Mandatory Disclosure Rules
- Legal Fees Deductibility
- Eligible Dependent Credit
- Child Care Expenses
- Tax Discounts and Equalizations
- Canada Child Benefit
- Payroll Variation
Seminar Snapshot
Approximately 40% of relationships in Canada end in separation or divorce, creating a significant demand for professional tax guidance. When couples separate, they face numerous tax implications that can lead to costly mistakes or missed opportunities. These insights will help you provide valuable advice during challenging times.
In this program, you will learn how to:
- Determine the proper tax treatment of support payments and property transfers
- Implement strategic tax planning for asset and corporate division
- Navigate principal residence exemption issues during relationship breakdown
- Properly structure third-party payments and handle attribution rules
- Identify deductible fees and optimize post-separation tax positions
This course is for you if you are responsible for:
- Advising clients going through separation or divorce
- Structuring support payment arrangements
- Planning property divisions with significant tax implications
- Managing corporate reorganizations due to relationship breakdown
- Ensuring tax compliance during challenging transitions
- Providing tax advice to family law practitioners
Meet Your Presenters
Michael Cadesky
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 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.
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.
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