Death of a Tax Payer

Death of a Tax Payer is a comprehensive professional development course designed to help accountants and tax professionals confidently navigate the complex tax implications that arise when an individual passes away. The death of a taxpayer triggers a series of technical filing requirements and planning considerations under the Income Tax Act, and this course provides a clear, structured framework for understanding and applying those rules in practice. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the terminal tax return, including reporting income up to the date of death and calculating capital gains triggered by the deemed disposition of property under Section 70(5). The course explains how to address employment, business, and investment income, as well as the taxation of RRSPs and RRIFs at death and the availability of rollover provisions to a surviving spouse or eligible dependent. The course also distinguishes between the final T1 return and the T3 estate return, clarifying how post-death income is reported and taxed within the estate. Optional filings, such as the Rights or Things return, are explored in detail, along with filing deadlines, charitable donations, medical expense claims, and other deductions that may reduce overall tax liability. Special attention is given to key planning and relief provisions, including the principal residence exemption, spousal rollovers under Section 70(6), and the treatment of qualified farm or fishing property. Participants will also examine the responsibilities and potential liabilities of executors, including the importance of obtaining a CRA clearance certificate before distributing estate assets. Through clear explanations and practical examples, this course equips professionals with the knowledge needed to handle terminal filings, estate reporting, and executor obligations with greater clarity and confidence. Death of a Tax Payer forms part of the Canadian Tax Mastery Certificate, the Certificate in Personal and Family Taxation, and the Estate and Succession Planning Certificate, making it a valuable component of advanced Canadian tax education.