In a June 10, 2016 French Technical Interpretation, CRA commented on whether an employer had conferred a benefit to an employee where the employee was reimbursed for their meal expenses.Generally, an employee must include the value of any benefits received or enjoyed in their taxable income. CRA normally considers a taxable benefit to be conferred when: the benefit provides an economic advantage to the… Read more »

In a May 26, 2016 Technical Interpretation, CRA summarized the conditions that must be met in order for an individual that earns employment income to deduct employment expenses. Deductible expenses are limited to only a select group described in the Income Tax Act.Generally, an employee may deduct costs of employment related expenses if: under the contract of employment, the employee… Read more »

A review of the Income Tax Act is to be completed by June 30, 2017. The Federal Government has noted it plans to implement initiatives aimed at simplifying the system. Does your corporation make sales to other corporations in which you or another relative has an interest? If so, your access to small business tax rate… Read more »

Prior to the summer of 2015, CRA often accepted copies of the U.S. tax returns, as support to claim a U.S. Foreign Tax Credit (FTC). The “Federal Account Transcript” was selected as alternative evidence the return provided to CRA was filed and assessed as filed. Some practitioners report that obtaining “transcripts” from the Federal Government,… Read more »

Amounts paid out of an RESP may be taxable, non-taxable, or may trigger a repayment of Government support. The taxation status of a receipt depends on whether it is considered an Educational Assistance Payment, a Refund of Contributions, or an Accumulated Income Payment. Educational Assistance Payment (EAP) – An EAP is a taxable amount paid… Read more »

CRA holds the authority to suspend receipting privileges and refuse or revoke the registration of a registered charitable organization when an “ineligible individual is a board member or controls or manages the organization”. On March 17, 2016 CRA Guide CG-024, Ineligible Individuals, was updated. It provides 29 pages of description and implications of having ineligible… Read more »

The Eligible Educator School Supply Tax Credit, worth 15% on up to $1,000 of eligible supply expenses, has now become law. To mark the occasion, CRA has published a Question and Answer providing commentary on this new refundable tax credit available in 2016 and subsequent years. The credit is also referred to as the Teacher… Read more »

When transferring the legal title of a property to a family member, a disposition for tax purposes may not necessarily occur. The taxable event would occur when a “beneficial ownership” change happens. Usually, a beneficial change and legal change are one in the same, but not always. In a June 14, 2016 Technical Interpretation, CRA… Read more »

Mutual fund corporations have often been structured to permit changing funds within the group on a tax-free basis. These are commonly referred to as “switch funds” or “corporate-class funds”, and have become popular due to the ability to defer accumulated capital gains. Essentially, investors can switch funds without realizing dispositions and the related taxable capital… Read more »

The CRA is aware that owner-managers have an incentive to receive benefits deductible by their corporation which are non-taxable to the owner. In essence, this can be perceived as a method to extract profits out of a corporation without paying tax on it. As such, CRA is particularly vigilant to ensure that these benefits comply… Read more »