Special attribution rules prevent the shifting of income between certain related people (including a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt). Consider the situation where high-earning Spouse A gives investments to low-earning Spouse B so that investment income can be taxed at Spouse B's lower tax rate. The attribution rules prevent this by requiring the earnings to be taxed in the hands of the transferor, Spouse A. However, these rules do not apply where the…

General CRA activity Over the last few years, CRA has focused on purchases and sales within the real estate sector. They are reviewing transactions for several items, such as: property flips on account of income;ineligible principal residence claims;commissions on sales;pre-sale condo assignments; andeligibility for the GST/HST new housing and rental rebates. One method for reviewing such transactions is by requiring taxpayers to respond to a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire covers items such as: date and…

In an April 14, 2020 French Technical Interpretation, CRA was asked whether amounts paid to an employee for costs of equipment for working remotely would be a taxable benefit. Generally, a reimbursement for a personal purchase of equipment used for working remotely would be a taxable benefit. However, CRA noted that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has required many employees to work remotely, acquisition of computer equipment may be primarily for the…

In a January 10, 2020 Federal Court of Appeal case, the Court conducted a judicial review of the denial of the taxpayer’s EI benefits. While receiving benefits in 2010 and 2011, the taxpayer had incorporated a corporation and engaged in preliminary work to set up its business. In early 2015, the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) was advised by CRA that the taxpayer had applied for a business registration number while collecting EI. A taxpayer can operate a business while collecting EI benefits where his business activity is to such a minor extent that a person would not normally rely on…

This week has brought another program to assist business owners (not sole proprietors), who did not qualify or were turned down for the Canada Emergency Business Account loan ($40K). This is an interest free loan, with a forgivable component (if certain conditions are met). Mind you, the contribution is also taxable. The “Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)” is delivered to Western Canadian businesses through the Western Economic Diversification Fund (WD).  The funding available is…

75% wage subsidy program (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy “CEWS”) Please see the following link to our newsletter provider for important clarifications. Such as what is defined as eligible wages (dividends do not count), periods for the calculation and other items.  https://www.videotax.com/web-tips-articles/cews-faq-updated-partnerships Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Increase Families will receive an additional $300 per child as a one time increase to May’s payment.  https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/03/families-receive-increased-support-through-canada-child-benefit Province of BC, $1,000 Emergency Benefit for workers On May 1st, applications…