Giving While Living:  Key Areas to Consider Before Making a Gift

With the rising cost of living and economic challenges facing younger generations, more people are considering making financial gifts. You can’t take it with you, and gifting allows you to see the positive impact of your money at a time when it may be needed the most.

Before committing to a gift, we recommend going through the following steps:

Step One:  Assess Your Current Financial Situation

Before extending a gift, it’s crucial to assess your financial stability. This ensures you have enough resources to meet both current and future needs, such as healthcare or long-term care, and protects you from unexpected expenses.

A necessary first step is preparing an Asset, Income and Expense Projection. This involves evaluating your total financial picture to ensure your financial health remains intact even after the funds are gifted.

We recommend creating projections that assess your current circumstances alongside an alternate scenario that includes the gift. This approach provides a clear understanding of how the gift will impact your financial future.

Step Two:  Review Available Funds and Assess Tax Implications

In Canada, cash gifts generally don’t carry specific tax implications for the recipient, meaning you can give as much as you like without the recipient paying taxes. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the gift is tax-free—it depends on where the funds originate.

The method with the fewest tax implications involves using funds already available in savings, such as a bank account or money market instruments. If you need to sell investments or property to make the gift, this could generate additional taxable income through capital gains. In such cases, it’s important to set aside funds to cover any resulting tax liabilities.

A financial projection, prepared in consultation with a tax professional, can help you understand and minimize these potential tax consequences, ensuring you gift funds in the most efficient way possible.

Step Three:  Have a Conversation with the Recipient

Gifting means that once the funds are given, you relinquish control. Therefore, it’s wise to discuss financial priorities with the recipient before gifting.  This ensures the gift is utilized effectively and aligns with the recipient’s financial goals.

Understanding their short-term and long-term financial objectives is key.  These objectives might include saving for a new home, retirement, education, or entrepreneurship.

Here’s a structured breakdown of key priorities based on individual needs and circumstances:

• Education Savings: Consider maximizing contributions to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) to benefit from the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). Utilizing unused contribution room can significantly aid in funding a child’s education.
• Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA): Encourage contributions to take advantage of unused contribution room. TFSA funds offer flexibility for various future goals, making them a versatile option for financial growth and security.
• Debt Reduction: Evaluate any outstanding debts such as loans, credit card debt, or mortgages. Determine whether it’s more advantageous to allocate funds towards debt repayment or investment, considering interest rates and financial goals.
• Retirement Planning: Discuss strategies for retirement planning, including contributions to Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) if suitable. Analyze the benefits of RRSP contributions in terms of tax advantages and long-term wealth accumulation.

How We Can Help

By following the above steps, you can ensure that funds are given responsibly. Having professional guidance is key to making informed decisions.

At the Wagner Investment Management Team, we specialize in preparing financial projections.  Our team includes three CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals who are well-versed in analyzing current financial circumstances and exploring available options.

We can assist your recipients in tailoring financial strategies to align with their goals. By openly discussing these priorities and considering their individual circumstances, we ensure that any financial gifts contribute to their well-being and support their long-term financial objectives. Involving an objective third party can facilitate a productive and meaningful conversation.

If you’re interested in exploring this further, please reach out to us.