IFC Exam Dumps - CISI Investment Funds in Canada Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Canadian equity funds are tax-efficient for high-income earners as they generate dividends and capital gains, which are taxed at lower rates than interest income. The feedback from the document states:

"Of the funds listed, the most tax-effective would be a Canadian equity fund because it should generate some dividends and some capital gains. Money market funds and fixed income funds would each generate highly taxed interest income, while a foreign equity fund would not generate tax-advantaged Canadian dividend income or capital gains. Before recommending an equity fund, the mutual fund representative should ensure that the fund is suitable for his client because equity funds have a higher risk profile than funds that generate interest income."

 Retractable preferred shares are those that give the holder the option to sell them back to the issuer at a predetermined price and date. This is the case for Evan, who can sell his shares back to Ingram at par value any time from now until September 1st two years from now.

Michael, capital gains are the profits you make when you sell an asset that has increased in value. For example, if you bought a mutual fund for $1,000 and sold it later for $1,500, you have a capital gain of $500. Capital gains are taxed only when they are realized, which means when you actually sell the asset and receive the proceeds. You do not have to report any unrealized capital gains, which are the potential profits you would make if you sold the asset at its current market value. Capital gains are taxed on all types of mutual funds, not just equity funds. However, the amount of capital gains you have to report may vary depending on the type of fund and how often it distributes its gains to investors. Capital gains are not tax-free, but they are taxed at a lower rate than other types of income. You only have to pay tax on 50% of your net capital gains, which is the total capital gains minus the total capital losses in a year. For more information on how to calculate and report your capital gains, you can refer to the Canada Revenue Agency website1 or consult a tax professional.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A lower standard deviation indicates lower volatility and thus lower risk. Fund B, with a standard deviation of 2%, is less risky than Fund A, with a standard deviation of 5%. The feedback from the document states:

"We can find the probable range of returns as follows: Average Return + Standard deviation = Positive outcome. Average Return - Standard deviation = Negative outcome. In any given year Fund A, which has the higher standard deviation, could fluctuate much more widely, making it less attractive as an investment, even over the long-term. Volatility is the most common measure of risk."

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In a tenants in common account, each owner holds a pro-rata share (e.g., 50%) and can only issue instructions for their portion, with no right of survivorship. KYC information is required for both owners. The feedback from the document states:

"If more than one person owns an account and it is not specifically identified as being a joint account, each owner owns a pro-rata share of the account, unless ownership is divided in another manner and noted on the account. Where an account is held as tenants in common, there is no right of survivorship and each owner, unless otherwise specified, can only give instructions with regard to the pro-rata portion of the account."

A balanced mutual fund is a type of fund that invests in a mix of equities and fixed income securities, with the aim of achieving both growth and income objectives. A balanced fund typically has a target asset allocation that is specified in its mandate, and may vary within a certain range depending on market conditions. A balanced fund may also distribute interest, dividends, and capital gains to its unitholders. The Laurentian Fund is an example of a balanced fund, as it limits its equity exposure to 60% and holds between 40 - 60% in fixed income at all times.

References = Canadian Investment Funds Course, Unit 6: Mutual Funds, Lesson 1: Mutual Funds Overview, Section 6.1.3: Types of Mutual Funds 1; CIFC prepkit, Chapter 6: Mutual Funds, Question 6.1.3 2

The Strategic Investment Planning (SIP) process is a four-step process that helps advisors to create and deliver customized investment plans for their clients. The four steps are:

Clarify Client Status, Problems and Opportunities: This step involves gathering information about the client’s personal and financial situation, goals, risk tolerance, and investment knowledge. The advisor also identifies the client’s problems and opportunities, such as tax issues, estate planning needs, or market trends.

Identify Strategies and Present the Plan: This step involves analyzing the information collected in the previous step and developing strategies to address the client’s problems and opportunities. The advisor also presents the plan to the client, explaining the rationale, benefits, costs, and risks of the proposed strategies. This is the stage where Sonya mentions factors such as inflation, interest rates, and rates of return, as they are relevant to the investment approaches she is offering to Elijah.

Implement the Plan: This step involves executing the agreed-upon strategies with the client’s consent. The advisor also ensures that the necessary documentation and transactions are completed.

Monitor and Update: This step involves reviewing the performance of the plan and making adjustments as needed. The advisor also communicates with the client regularly and updates the plan according to any changes in the client’s situation or goals.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Unused RRSP contribution room can be carried forward indefinitely. The carry-forward amount is the unused room minus the current year’s contribution: $46,000 - $15,000 = $31,000. The feedback from the document states:

"Any RRSP contribution room that is not used in a taxation year can be carried forward to be used in future years. There is no limit on the amount that can be carried forward. In this example, $46,000 - $15,000 = $31,000."

To calculate Firmansyah’s federal tax liability from the investment income, we need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Convert the foreign dividend from USD to CAD using the exchange rate given in the question. The exchange rate is 1.3605 CAD per USD, which means that 1 USD is equivalent to 1.3605 CAD.Therefore, Firmansyah’s foreign dividend in CAD is:

500×1.3605=680.25

Step 2: Calculate Firmansyah’s grossed-up dividend income from both sources. A grossed-up dividend income is the actual dividend received plus a percentage of the dividend that reflects the corporate tax paid by the issuer. The percentage varies depending on whether the dividend is eligible or non-eligible. According to [this site], an eligible dividend is a dividend paid by a Canadian corporation that meets certain criteria, such as being listed on a designated stock exchange or being a subsidiary of such a corporation. A non-eligible dividend is a dividend that does not meet these criteria, such as a dividend paid by a foreign corporation or a small Canadian business corporation. The gross-up rate for eligible dividends in 2020 was 38%, while the gross-up rate for non-eligible dividends in 2020 was 15%. Therefore, Firmansyah’s grossed-up dividend income from both sources is:

(1800+680.25)×(1+0.38)=3426.35

Step 3: Apply Firmansyah’s federal marginal tax rate to his grossed-up dividend income to get his federal tax before credits. A marginal tax rate is the percentage of tax applied to an additional dollar of income. According to [this site], Firmansyah’s federal marginal tax rate for 2020 was 29%, as his taxable income was between $150,473 and $214,368.Therefore, Firmansyah’s federal tax before credits is:

0.29×3426.35=993.64

Step 4: Subtract Firmansyah’s federal dividend tax credit from his federal tax before credits to get his net federal tax liability from the investment income. A dividend tax credit is a percentage of the grossed-up dividend income that reflects the corporate tax paid by the issuer and avoids double taxation. The percentage varies depending on whether the dividend is eligible or non-eligible. According to [this site], the federal dividend tax credit rate for eligible dividends in 2020 was 15%, while the federal dividend tax credit rate for non-eligible dividends in 2020 was 9.03%. Therefore, Firmansyah’s federal dividend tax credit from both sources is:

(1800+680.25)×0.38×0.15=297.88

Step 5: Subtract Firmansyah’s federal dividend tax credit from his federal tax before credits to get his net federal tax liability from the investment income. This is the amount of federal income tax that Firmansyah has to pay or has overpaid from the investment income. Therefore, Firmansyah’s net federal tax liability from the investment income is:

993.64−297.88=695.76

Hence, option C is correct. References: [Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) | IFSE Institute], [Dividend Tax Credit | TurboTax Canada Tips], [Federal Income Tax Rates for Canada - TurboTax Canada Tips], [Eligible Dividends | TurboTax Canada Tips]

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

An annuity provides a steady income stream until the client’s death, suitable for someone with uncertain income sources and no interest in leaving a legacy. The feedback from the document states:

"The client needs a steady source of income from his investment. This rules out a ratio withdrawal plan and a life withdrawal plan. With a fixed-dollar withdrawal plan his capital could be exhausted before he dies. He should choose an annuity that will pay a fixed amount every year until his death. If he lives beyond the guaranteed term, the annuity will cease with his death, but this fact is not important as he does not wish to leave a legacy."