Introduction to Trusts and Estates

This course provides a clear and practical foundation in the legal and tax treatment of trusts and estates in Canada. Designed for accounting and tax professionals, it explains how trusts and estates are created, administered, and taxed, and how they are used in real-world planning and compliance scenarios. Participants will explore the fundamental structure of trusts, including the roles of the settlor, trustee, beneficiary, and executor, along with the fiduciary responsibilities and reporting obligations attached to each. The course also examines estates and estate administration, including deemed disposition at death, the filing of final returns, and the operation of Graduated Rate Estates (GREs). From a tax perspective, the course explains how trusts are treated as separate taxpayers under the Income Tax Act, how income is allocated or retained, and how attribution rules and anti-avoidance provisions can affect planning strategies. Key distinctions between testamentary and inter vivos trusts are reviewed, along with an overview of commonly used structures such as spousal trusts, alter ego trusts, joint partner trusts, Henson trusts, and family trusts. Throughout the course, practical examples are used to connect technical rules to professional practice. Participants can expect structured explanations, real-world applications, and compliance-focused guidance that supports confident advisory work. This course forms part of both the Canadian Tax Mastery Certificate and the Corporate and Business Taxation Certificate and is well suited for professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of trust and estate taxation within the broader Canadian tax framework.