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Archived - Explanatory Notes Relating to the Income Tax Act, Excise Tax Act, Excise Act, 2001 and Related Legislation

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Preface

These explanatory notes describe proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act¸ Excise Tax Act, Excise Act, 2001,and related legislation. These explanatory notes describe these proposed amendments, clause by clause, for the assistance of Members of Parliament, taxpayers and their professional advisors.

The Honourable William Francis Morneau, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance

These notes are intended for information purposes only and should not be construed as an official interpretation of the provisions they describe.

Table of Contents
Clause Topic
Income Tax Act, Income Tax Application Rules and Income Tax Regulations
1 Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments
2 Taxation of Switch Fund Shares
3-6 Sales of Linked Notes
7-9 Expanding Tax Support for Clean Energy
10-12 Emissions Trading Regimes
13 Multiplication of the Small Business Deduction
14 Avoidance of the Business Limit and Taxable Capital Limit
15-17 Life Insurance Policies
18-19 Debt-Parking to Avoid Foreign Exchange Gains
20-21 Valuation for Derivatives
22-67 Eligible Capital Property
68-70 Country-by-Country Reporting
71-73 Common Reporting Standard Penalty and Consequential Amendments
74-76 Cross-Border Surplus Stripping
77-79 Extension of Back-to-Back Rules
Excise Tax Act and Related Regulations
80 Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments
81-85 Eligible Capital Property
Excise Act, 2001
86 Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments

Income Tax Act, Income Tax Application Rules and Income Tax Regulations

Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments

Clause 1

Alternative Basis for Assessment

ITA
152(9)

Subsection 152(9) of the Income Tax Act (the "Act") is intended to ensure that, subject to other limitations in the Act, the Minister of National Revenue may advance alternative arguments in support of an income tax assessment after the normal reassessment period has expired.

A recent court decision held that, while the basis of an assessment can be changed after the expiration of the normal reassessment period, each source of income is to be considered in isolation and the amount of the assessment in respect of any particular source of income cannot increase.

This subsection is amended to clarify that the Minister may advance alternative arguments in support of all or any portion of the total amount determined on assessment to be payable or remittable by a taxpayer under this Act at any time where the assessment is under objection or appeal.  The alternative arguments may result in an increase or adjustment to an amount included in the assessment that is under objection or appeal in respect of a particular source of income, provided that the total amount determined on assessment to be payable or remittable by a taxpayer under this Act does not increase.

This amendment comes into force on Royal Assent except that it does not apply in respect of appeals instituted before Royal Assent.

Taxation of Switch Fund Shares

Clause 2

Application of ss. 131(1) to (3.2), (4.1) and (6)

ITA
130(2)

Subsection 130(2) of the Act, which adapts the capital gains dividend rules for mutual fund corporations (subsections 131(1) to (3.2)) to investment corporations, is amended to provide that new subsection 131(4.1) also applies to investment corporations. As a result, sections 51, 85, 85.1, 86 and 87 may not be available to shareholders of certain investment corporations in the event of a disposition of a share of an investment corporation.

This rule comes into force after January 1, 2017.

Switch funds

ITA
131(4.1)

This rule is introduced to ensure the appropriate recognition of capital gains on shares of mutual fund corporations that are organized as multi-class funds (often called "switch funds"). These funds typically offer different types of asset exposure in different funds, but each fund is structured as a separate class of shares within the same mutual fund corporation. By virtue of specific provisions that permit the exchange of shares of a corporation to occur on a tax deferred basis (such as section 51 of the Act), shares that are "switched" are generally deemed not to be disposed of or to be disposed of at their adjusted cost base for the purposes of theAct.

New subsection 131(4.1) of the Act ensures that, notwithstanding sections 51, 85, 85.1, 86 and 87, a taxpayer exchanging or otherwise disposing of a share of a mutual fund corporation for a share of another class of a mutual fund corporation is considered to have disposed of that share for proceeds of disposition that are equal to the fair market value of the share (if such share is of a class of shares that is recognized under Canadian securities law as an investment fund). However, two exceptions to this rule are provided.

The first exception is an exchange of a share of the corporation that occurs in the course of a capital reorganization described in subsection 86(1) or an amalgamation described in subsection 87(1), if none of the reasons for which the capital reorganization or amalgamation was undertaken was to permit shareholders to make class "switches" on a tax-deferred basis that would otherwise be taxable. More specifically, in order to qualify for this exception, all of the shares of that class of shares must be exchanged, the initial share and the share acquired on the exchange must derive their value in the same proportion from the same property or group of properties, and the reorganization or amalgamation should be undertaken solely for bona fide purposes (i.e., not to cause this exception to apply).

Example

An investment fund manager manages various investment funds that are each established as a different class of shares within a single mutual fund corporation. The shares of the different classes have voting rights and this necessitates calling an annual general meeting to deal with approval of routine corporate matters. To avoid the expense associated with mailing notices and holding the annual meeting, investors in the funds will exchange their voting shares for new shares that do not have a right to vote in these corporate matters, but otherwise are identical and continue to represent an interest in the same investment fund as before. The articles will also be amended to create a new class of common shares that have voting rights which will be issued to the manager. Provided all of the conditions for the application of section 86 are otherwise met in respect of the shareholders of the mutual fund corporation, subsection (4.1) would not apply and the shareholders will benefit from a deferral of the taxation of any capital gain or loss arising on the disposition.

The second exception applies where the share exchanged and the share received on the exchange are from the same class (determined without reference to subsection 248(6), so that different series within the same class will be considered to be in the same class) of shares of the mutual fund corporation.  To qualify, the shares must derive their value in the same proportion from the same property or group of properties that are allocated by the mutual fund corporation to that class and, under Canadian security laws, the class must be recognized as a single investment fund.

Example

The Class C shares of a mutual fund corporation derive 100% of their value from a Canadian equity fund. Series A and B shares of Class C are available: the corporation pays to the manager of the fund a standard annual management fee in respect of the net asset value represented by Class C Series A shares but a lower annual management fee in respect of the net asset value represented by Class C Series B shares, which are only available to certain investors.

In 2015, a shareholder acquired 50 shares of Class C Series A of that mutual fund corporation and in 2016 acquired an additional 75 Class C Series A shares. In 2017, the shareholder is now able to exchange the 50 shares acquired in 2015 for Class C Series B shares of equivalent net asset value. Since both series are from the same class – which represents a single investment fund for securities law purposes – and they derive their value in the same proportion from the same group of properties allocated to that class, the proposed exchange of 50 shares would not be subject to subsection 131(4.1) and consequently section 51 could be available to permit a tax-deferred exchange.

These rules apply to transactions and events that occur after 2016.

Election to be a mutual fund corporation

ITA
131(8.01)

New subsection 131(8.01) of the Act is intended to provide relief where a newly formed corporation has difficulty qualifying as a mutual fund corporation due to the introduction of new subsection 131(4.1).

This rule provides that where a corporation was incorporated after 2014 but before March 22, 2016, would have been a mutual fund corporation if, on March 22, 2016, it could have elected to be a public corporation under paragraph (b) of the definition "public corporation" in subsection 89(1) of the Act (had the conditions prescribed in paragraph 4800(1)(b) of the Regulation been satisfied), and had at least one class of shares recognized under Canadian securities law as an investment fund at that time, the corporation is deemed to be a mutual fund corporation from the date it was incorporated until the earlier of the date the corporation qualifies as a mutual fund corporation under subsection 131(8) of the Act and December 31, 2017, if the corporation so elects in writing in its return of income associated with the first taxation year of the corporation that ends after March 21, 2016.

This rule comes into force after January 1, 2017.

Sales of Linked Notes

Clause 3

Sales of Linked Notes

ITA
20(14.2)

Subsection 20(14) of the Act provides that accrued interest to the time of sale of a debt obligation is included in the income of the vendor and an offsetting deduction is permitted to the purchaser when it later receives the interest.

A linked note is a debt obligation, most often issued by a financial institution, the return on which is linked in some manner to the performance of one or more reference assets or indexes over the term of the obligation. New subsection 20(14.2) is introduced to ensure that any positive return on a linked note retains the same character whether it is earned at maturity or reflected in a secondary market sale. Specifically, it deems, for the purposes of subsection 20(14), all or a portion of any gain realized on the sale of a debt obligation that is, at any time, described in paragraph 7000(1)(d) of the Income Tax Regulations (the "Regulations") to be accrued interest to the time of sale of the debt obligation. The amount of accrued interest is determined by the formula A – (B + C).

Variable A is the price for which the debt obligation was assigned or otherwise transferred at the time of sale.

Variable B is the amount by which the price for which the debt obligation was issued exceeds the portion, if any, of the principal amount of the debt obligation that was repaid by the issuer on or before the time of sale.

The price for which a debt obligation was issued will normally be its original principal amount. This amount will be reduced by any partial repayments of principal made on or before the time of sale. Thus, variable B will normally equal the remaining principal amount of the debt obligation at the time of sale.

Variable C is the portion of the amount, if any, by which the amount determined for A exceeds the amount determined for B, that is reasonably attributable to the excess, if any, of the present value of all fixed rate interest payments to be received under the particular debt obligation after the time of sale over the present value of all fixed rate interest payments that would be received under a hypothetical debt obligation that:

(i) is issued at the time of sale by the same issuer;

(ii) has the same maturity date as the particular debt obligation;

(iii) bears a fair market interest rate determined at the time of its issue, and

(iv) otherwise has the same terms and conditions as the particular debt obligation.

In cases where the vendor of the debt obligation determines its Canadian tax results in Canadian currency and the debt obligation is denominated in a foreign currency, each variable of the above formula is converted to Canadian currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale. 

In cases where the vendor of the debt obligation has made a functional currency election and the debt obligation is denominated in a currency other than the vendor's elected functional currency, each variable of the above formula is converted to the elected functional currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale. In particular, paragraph 261(5)(c) will provide that the price for which the debt was transferred is converted to the vendor's elected functional currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale. Similarly, subparagraph 261(5)(f)(i) and paragraph 261(5)(g) will provide that the amount determined for B in subsection 20(14.2) is converted to the vendor's elected functional currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale. 

This amendment applies to transfers that occur after September 2016.

Example – Return of capital note 

A "return of capital note" with a term of 5 years is issued for $100. The return on the note is only payable at maturity and is equal to 100% of the percentage change in the value of an underlying index between the issue date and the maturity date. The note also provides for an annual partial repayment of 2% of the principal amount of the note (return of capital).

The holder sells the note one week prior to its maturity date. At the time of sale, the underlying index has increased 30% in value.

If the note is sold for a price equal to $122, then variable A is equal to $122.

Variable B, which is the amount by which the price for which the note was issued ($100) exceeds the portion, if any, of the principal amount of the debt obligation that was repaid by the issuer on or before the sale ($8, that is, 4 x (2% of $100)) is equal to $92.

Given that the note does not pay any fixed rate of interest, variable C equals 0.

The deemed interest accrued on the note at the time of sale is therefore equal to $30 ($122-$92).

Example – Note denominated in a foreign currency

A note with a term of 6 years is denominated in US dollars and is issued for US$100 when the Canadian dollar is at par with the US dollar. The return on the note is only payable at maturity and is equal to 100% of the percentage change in the value of an underlying index between the issue date and the maturity date.

The holder sells the note one week prior to its maturity date. At the time of sale, the underlying index has increased 20% in value. At that time, the Canadian dollar has increased in value and C$1 = US$1.50

If the note is sold for a price equal to US$120, then variable A is equal to C$80, that is, US$120 converted to Canadian dollars using the foreign exchange rate at the time of the sale.

Variable B is equal to C$66.66, that is, the price of US$100 for which the note was issued, converted to Canadian dollars using the foreign exchange rate at the time of sale.

Given that the note does not pay any fixed rate of interest, variable C equals 0.

The deemed interest accrued on the note at the time of sale is equal to C$13.33, which is equivalent to the variable return of US$20, converted to Canadian dollars using the foreign exchange rate at the time of sale.

Example – Note with a fixed coupon

A note with a term of 5 years is issued for $100. The return on the note is only payable at maturity and is equal to 50% of the performance change in value of an underlying index between the issue date and the maturity date. The note also provides for an annual fixed coupon payment equal to 2.00% per annum regardless of the performance of the underlying index.

The holder sells the note two years prior to its maturity date.

If the note is sold for a price equal to $110, then variable A is equal to $110. Variable B is equal to $100.

Assuming the sale price of $110 includes a $4 premium as determined under variable C, then the deemed interest accrued on the note at the time of sale is equal to $6 (that is, $110-($100+$4)).  

Clause 4

Canadian currency requirement

ITA
261(2)(b)

Subsection 261(2) of the Act is a general rule that applies to taxpayers that do not elect into the functional currency tax reporting regime. Paragraph 261(2)(a) provides that Canadian currency is to be used in determining the Canadian tax results of such a taxpayer. Paragraph 261(2)(b) provides that if a particular amount that is relevant in computing those Canadian tax results is expressed in a foreign currency, the particular amount is – subject to certain listed provisions – to be converted to Canadian currency using the relevant spot rate for the day on which the particular amount arose.

Paragraph 261(2)(b) is amended to add new subsection 20(14.2) to its listed provisions given that new subsection 20(14.2) departs in certain circumstances from the general rule in paragraph 261(2)(b) by requiring that, if a debt obligation is denominated in a foreign currency, the amounts described in each variable of its formula are converted to Canadian currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale.

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

Functional currency tax reporting

ITA
261(5)(c)

Subsection 261(5) of the Act provides a number of rules for taxpayers that have elected into the functional currency tax reporting regime.

Paragraph 261(5)(c) provides that if a particular amount that is relevant in computing the taxpayer's Canadian tax results is expressed in a currency other than the taxpayer's elected functional currency, the particular amount is – subject to certain listed provisions – to be converted to an amount expressed in the taxpayer's elected functional currency using the relevant spot rate for the day on which the particular amount arose.

Paragraph 261(5)(c) is amended to add new subsection 20(14.2) to its listed provisions given that new subsection 20(14.2) departs in certain circumstances from the general rule in paragraph 261(5)(c) by requiring that, if a debt obligation is denominated in a foreign currency, the amounts described in each variable of its formula is converted the vendor's elected functional currency using the exchange rate at the time of sale.

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

ITA
261(5)(f)(i)

Subparagraph 261(5)(f)(i) of the Act provides a reading rule for certain provisions of the Act and the Regulations. The reading rule replaces references to "Canadian currency" with references to "the taxpayer's elected functional currency".

Subparagraph 261(5)(f)(i) is amended to add new subsection 20(14.2) to its listed provisions, as this new provision contains references to Canadian currency.

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

Clause 5

Investment Income

ITR
201(1)(g)

Subsection 201(1) of the Regulations imposes a requirement on certain persons to provide annual information returns to the Canada Revenue Agency and taxpayers in respect of interest and dividend payments.

New paragraph 201(1)(g) provides that, where a person that is a financial company for the purposes of section 211 (whether acting as principal or as agent for the transferee) pays the portion of the price for which a debt obligation was transferred that is deemed by new subsection 20(14.2) of the Act to be interest that accrued on the debt obligation, that person is required to make an information return.

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

Annual interest accrual

ITR
201(4)

Subsection 201(4) of the Regulationsrequires every person or partnership that is indebted under certain "investment contracts" to which subsection 12(4) of the Act and paragraph 201(1)(b) apply to file an annual information return. Subsection 12(4) of the Act generally applies in respect of accrued interest on investment contracts held by individuals. Paragraph 201(1)(b) describes certain payments made as or on account of interest in respect of which the payor is required to file an information return under subsection 201(1).

Amended subsection 201(4) clarifies that it does not apply to an amount to which paragraph 201(1)(g) applies.

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

Clause 6

Security transactions

ITR
230(1)

"security"

Section 230 of the Regulations provides for a reporting requirement in respect of transactions in securities.

Subsection 230(1) contains a definition of "security". This definition is amended to include in new paragraph 230(1)(c.1) a debt obligation that is, at any time, described in paragraph 7000(1)(d).

This amendment comes into force on October 1, 2016.

Expanding Tax Support for Clean Energy

Clause 7

Capital cost allowance – interpretation

ITR
1104

Section 1104 of the Regulations sets out various definitions and interpretation rules that apply for the purpose of determining the capital cost allowance (CCA) rate for a taxation year in respect of a depreciable property of a taxpayer.

Section 1104 is amended consequential on the amendments made to classes 43.1 (30% rate) and 43.2 (50% rate) to expand eligibility to include certain electric vehicle charging stations.

Classes 43.1 and 43.2 – energy conservation property

ITR
1104(17)(a)

Subsection 1104(17) of the Regulations requires environmental compliance in respect of certain properties before those properties can be included in class 43.1 or 43.2 in Schedule II to the Regulations.

Subsection 1104(17) prevents the inclusion of the capital cost of certain property in Class 43.1 or 43.2 if the property is not in compliance with environmental laws, by-laws and regulations at the time the property becomes available for use. The subsection applies to property that would otherwise be included in subparagraph (c)(i) of Class 43.1 and to property that is described in any of subparagraphs (d)(viii), (ix), (xi), (xiii), (xiv) and (xvi) of Class 43.1 or paragraph (a) of Class 43.2. Property is not in compliance if, at the time the property becomes available for use by the taxpayer, the taxpayer has not satisfied the requirements of all environmental laws, by-laws and regulations of Canada, a province or a municipality in Canada, or of a municipal or public body performing a function of government in Canada, applicable in respect of the property.

If a property is not included in Class 43.1 or 43.2 because of subsection 1104(17), the property may remain included in the CCA class that would otherwise apply to that property.

Paragraph 1104(17)(a) is amended to add a reference to subparagraph (d)(xvii) of Class 43.1 to Schedule II, which ensures that the requirement for environmental compliance also applies to property described in that subparagraph. This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xvii) of Class 43.1 of Schedule II to include certain electric vehicle charging stations.

This amendment applies to property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

Clause 8

Capital cost allowance – prescribed classes

ITR
Schedule II

Schedule II to the Regulations lists the properties that can be included in each capital cost allowance (CCA) class. A portion of the capital cost of depreciable property is deductible as CCA each year. CCA rates for each type of property, identified by their CCA classes, are set out in section 1100 of the Regulations.

Class 43.1 (30% CCA rate)

Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations currently provides an accelerated CCA rate of 30% per year (on a declining-balance basis) for clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment. Class 43.1 (and indirectly Class 43.2) is amended to expand eligibility for inclusion in Classes 43.1 and 43.2 to certain electric vehicle charging stations and a broader range of electrical energy storage equipment.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(i)(A)(I) and (II)

Subparagraph (d)(i) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations applies to certain active solar heating equipment and ground source heat pump system equipment.

Subclauses (d)(i)(A)(I) and (II) of Class 43.1 are amended to clarify that only thermal energy storage equipment in connection with active solar heating equipment and ground source heat pump systems is eligible for inclusion in subparagraph (d)(i). This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1 which now describes electrical energy storage equipment. Any electrical energy storage equipment related to active solar heating equipment and ground source heat pump system is to be included in new subparagraph (d)(xviii).

This amendment applies in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(v)(B)(I)

Subparagraph (d)(v) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations describes a wind energy conversion system (wind turbines) that is used primarily for the purpose of generating electrical energy.

Subclause (d)(v)(B)(I) is amended to remove a reference to battery storage equipment that is used in connection with a wind energy conversion system. This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1, which now describes electrical storage equipment. Batteries and other electrical energy storage equipment related to a wind energy conversion system are eligible to be included in the new subparagraph (d)(xviii).

This amendment applies in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(vi)

Subparagraph (d)(vi) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations applies to certain fixed location photovoltaic equipment (solar panels) that converts solar energy into electrical energy.

The preamble of the subparagraph is amended to remove a reference to battery storage equipment. This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1, which applies to eligible electrical storage equipment. Batteries and other electrical energy storage equipment that is used in connection with fixed location photovoltaic equipment are eligible to be included in the new subparagraph (d)(xviii).

This amendment applies in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(vii)

Subparagraph (d)(vii) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations describes equipment that is used primarily for the purpose of generating electrical energy solely from geothermal energy (geothermal energy equipment). Under the present wording of the subparagraph, geothermal energy equipment does not include equipment designed to store electrical energy (electrical energy storage equipment).

The subparagraph is amended, for simplicity and clarity, to remove the reference to the electrical storage equipment from the list of excluded equipment for the purposes of the subparagraph. This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1 which applies to eligible electrical storage equipment. Electrical energy storage equipment that is used in connection with geothermal energy equipment is no longer excluded from paragraph (d). In particular, such equipment is eligible to be included in the new subparagraph (d)(xviii).

This amendment applies in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(xii)

Subparagraph (d)(xii) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations currently describes a fixed location fuel cell that uses hydrogen generated from ancillary electrolysis equipment (or if the fuel cell is reversible, the fuel cell itself) only if the ancillary electrolysis equipment uses electricity all or substantially all of which is generated by photovoltaic equipment, wind energy conversion equipment or hydro-electric equipment.

Subparagraph (d)(xii) is amended to broaden the range of equipment that can be used to produce electricity that is to be used by the ancillary electrolysis equipment.  In particular, the list of equipment that produces electricity, all or substantially all of which is to be used by the ancillary electrolysis equipment, is broadened to include geothermal equipment. In addition, ancillary electrolysis equipment can also use electricity all or substantially all of which is generated by using kinetic energy of flowing water or wave or tidal energy.

This amendment applies in respect of equipment acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(xiv)

Subparagraph (d)(xiv) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations currently describes equipment that generates electricity using kinetic energy of flowing water or wave or tidal energy without using physical barriers or other dam-like structures.

The subparagraph is amended to remove a reference to battery storage equipment. This amendment is consequential on the introduction of new subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1 which applies to eligible electrical storage equipment. Batteries or other electrical energy storage equipment that are used in connection with equipment that generates electricity using kinetic energy of flowing water or wave or tidal energy are eligible to be included in the new subparagraph (d)(xviii).

This amendment applies in respect of equipment acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(xvii)

New subparagraph (d)(xvii) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations is introduced to expand Class 43.1 eligibility to include certain fixed location electric vehicle charging stations.

New subparagraph (d)(xvii) describes equipment used by the taxpayer, or by a lessee of the taxpayer, for the purpose of charging electric vehicles. Such equipment includes charging stations, transformers, distribution and control panels, circuit breakers, conduits and related wiring.  For such equipment to be eligible for inclusion in Class 43.1,

This amendment applies in respect of equipment acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

ITR
Class 43.1 (d)(xviii)

New subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1 in Schedule II to the Regulations is introduced to expand Class 43.1 eligibility to include certain electrical energy storage property.

New subparagraph (d)(xviii) describes fixed location energy storage property (the "electrical energy storage property") that is used by the taxpayer, or by a lessee of the taxpayer for the purpose of storing electrical energy.

Qualifying electrical energy storage property includes batteries, compressed air energy storage, flywheels, ancillary equipment (including control and conditioning equipment) and related structures. It does not include buildings, pumped hydroelectric storage, hydroelectric dams and reservoirs, property used solely for backup electrical energy, batteries used in motor vehicles, fuel cell systems where the hydrogen is produced via steam reformation of methane or property otherwise included in Class 10 or 17.

In order to be eligible for inclusion in Class 43.1, the electrical energy storage property must meet one of two additional conditions. First, the electrical energy to be stored by the electrical storage equipment must be used in connection with Class 43.1 property of the taxpayer or a lessee of the taxpayer, as the case may be. Second, where the property is not to be used in connection with Class 43.1 property of the taxpayer or a lessee of the taxpayer, the round trip efficiency of the electrical energy storage system must be greater than 50%. In this regard, the round trip efficiency of the electrical energy storage system is to be computed by reference to the quantity of electrical energy supplied to and discharged from the electrical energy storage system.

This amendment applies in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

Clause 9

ITR
Class 43.2 (50% CCA rate)

Class 43.2 in Schedule II to the Regulations provides for a temporary accelerated CCA rate of 50% for certain Class 43.1 properties. Class 43.2 includes some of the properties described in Class 43.1 if acquired after February 22, 2005 and before 2020.

Class 43.2 is amended in two respects. First, paragraph (a) of Class 43.2 is reworded for clarity. Second, paragraph (b) is reworded to introduce new subparagraphs (ii) and (iii). Subparagraph (i) continues to describe property that was previously described in paragraph (b). The second amendment is consequential on the amendments to Class 43.1 that expand eligibility to include certain electric vehicle charging stations and a broader range of electrical energy storage equipment in Classes 43.1 and 43.2.

In particular, the addition of new subparagraphs (b)(ii) and (iii) of Class 43.2 is consequential on the introduction of subparagraphs (d)(xvii) and (xviii), respectively, of Class 43.1.

ITR
Class 43.2 (b)(ii)

New subparagraph (b)(ii) of Class 43.2 in Schedule II to the Regulations is introduced consequential on the introduction of subparagraph (d)(xvii) of Class 43.1. New subparagraph (b)(ii) describes, by reference to subparagraph (d)(xvii) of Class 43.1, equipment used for the purpose of charging electric vehicles. Such equipment includes charging stations, transformers, distribution and control panels, circuit breakers, conduits and related wiring.  For such equipment to be eligible for inclusion in Class 43.2,

ITR
Class 43.2 (b)(iii)

New subparagraph (b)(iii) of Class 43.2 in Schedule II to the Regulations is introduced consequential on the introduction of subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1.

New subparagraph (b)(iii) describes, by reference to subparagraph (d)(xviii) of Class 43.1, fixed location energy storage property (the "electrical energy storage property") that is used for the purpose of storing electrical energy.

Qualifying electrical energy storage property includes batteries, compressed air energy storage, flywheels, ancillary equipment (including control and conditioning equipment) and related structures. It does not include buildings, pumped hydroelectric storage, hydroelectric dams and reservoirs, property used solely for backup electrical energy, batteries used in motor vehicles, fuel cell systems where the hydrogen is produced via steam reformation of methane or property that is included in Class 43.1 that would otherwise be included in Class 10 or 17.

In addition, in order to be eligible for inclusion in Class 43.2, the electrical energy to be stored by the electrical energy storage equipment must be used in connection with Class 43.2 property of the taxpayer or a lessee of the taxpayer, as the case may be.

These amendments apply in respect of property acquired after March 21, 2016 that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.

Emissions Trading Regimes

Clause 10

Emissions allowances

ITA
27.1

New section 27.1 of the Act provides rules relating to the tax treatment of transactions involving emissions allowances.

New section 27.1 applies in respect of emissions allowances acquired in taxation years that begin after 2016. However, if a taxpayer elects in their income tax return for the 2016 or 2017 taxation year, then new section 27.1 - along with the related amendments with respect to emissions allowances to the definition "inventory" in subsection 248(1) and section 7300 of the Income Tax Regulations - will apply to taxation years that end after 2012.

ITA
27.1(1)

New subsection 27.1(1) of the Act overrides the "lower of cost and market" rules in section 10 in respect of emissions allowances. It provides that, for the purposes of computing a taxpayer's income from a business, an emission allowance must be valued at its cost to the taxpayer.

Determination of cost of emissions allowances

ITA
27.1(2)

New subsection 27.1(2) of the Act provides that the cost of identical emissions allowances of a taxpayer shall be determined based on the average cost of all of the identical emissions allowances of the taxpayer. Generally, this will result in identical properties having the same cost, which will allow the gain on identical emissions allowances to be determined without having to identify which particular emissions allowance was disposed of.

Emissions allowances will be considered identical for the purposes of 27.1(2) when two or more emissions allowances can be used to settle the same emissions obligation. Therefore, for example, if an emissions allowance can only be used to settle an emissions obligation in one province and another emissions allowance can only be used to settle an emissions obligation in another province, they will not be identical. In addition, for emissions allowances to be considered identical, they must align temporally. For example, if an emissions allowance that is issued in 2017 can be used to settle the same emissions obligations that an allowance issued in 2018 can be used to settle, then the emissions allowances will be considered identical. However, if an emissions allowance that is issued in 2017 can settle an emissions obligation in both 2017 and 2018, but an emissions allowance issued in 2018 cannot be used to settle an emissions obligation in 2017, then the two emissions allowances would not be considered identical.

Expenses restriction

ITA
27.1(3)

New subsection 27.1(3) of the Act generally provides that, in computing a taxpayer's income from a business for a taxation year, the total amount deductible in respect of a particular emissions obligation for a taxation year is limited to the cost of the emissions allowances that are (or could be) used to satisfy it. In particular, the amount deductible cannot exceed

Example

The two allowances held by the taxpayer in these circumstances are not identical because they cannot be used to settle the same emissions obligations. Therefore the costs of the two allowances will not be determined based on their average cost.

In 2018, for the purposes of determining the deduction available in respect of the taxpayer's 2017 emissions obligation, only the 2017 emissions allowance can be used to settle this obligation, meaning the deductible expense with respect to the 2017 emissions obligation is nil. For the purposes of the expense for the 2018 emissions obligation, however, both of the 2017 and the 2018 emissions allowances could be used. The fact, however, that the 2017 emission allowance must be used in respect of the 2017 obligation means that only the 2018 emissions allowance is available to be used in respect of the 2018 emissions obligation. Therefore the deductible expense in respect of this emissions obligation is $10.

Income inclusion in following year

ITA
27.1(4)

New subsection 27.1(4) of the Act provides that where a taxpayer deducts an amount in a taxation year in respect of an emissions obligation that is to be settled in a future year, the taxpayer will be required to include the deducted amount in income in the immediately following taxation year. This deduction-inclusion cycle in respect of the emissions obligation continues until such time that the emissions obligation is ultimately settled.

Proceeds of disposition

ITA
27.1(5)

New subsection 27.1(5) of the Act is intended to ensure that a taxpayer will not realize a gain or loss on an emissions allowance that is used to settle an emissions obligation. Specifically, the subsection provides that if a taxpayer surrenders an emissions allowance to settle an emissions obligation, the taxpayer's proceeds from the disposition of the emissions allowance are deemed to be equal to the taxpayer's cost of the emissions allowance.

Loss restriction event

ITA
27.1(6)

New subsection 27.1(6) of the Act provides that, at the end of a taxpayer's last taxation year before a change in control, an emissions allowance must be valued at the lower of its cost and its fair market value at the end of that year. After that time, that lower amount is deemed to be the cost at which the property was acquired by the taxpayer.

Clause 11

Definitions

ITA
248(1)

Subsection 248(1) of the Act contains definitions that are relevant for the purposes of the Act.

The definition of "inventory" in subsection 248(1) of the Act is amended and the definitions "emissions allowance" and "emissions obligation" are added in alphabetical order.

"inventory"

The definition of "inventory" in subsection 248(1) generally provides that "inventory" means a description of property the cost or value of which is relevant in computing a taxpayer's income from a business for a taxation year. It also specifically includes all of the livestock held in the course of carrying on a farming business.

The definition of inventory is amended to move the inclusion relating to livestock into new paragraph (a) and to add paragraph (b), which provides that an emissions allowance will be included as inventory.

For more information, see the commentary to new section 27.1 and section 7300 of the Income Tax Regulations.

The amendment to the definition of "inventory" applies in respect of emissions allowances acquired in taxation years that begin after 2016. However, if a taxpayer elects in their income tax return for the 2016 or 2017 taxation year, then the amendment to the definition of "inventory" in subsection 248(1) – along with new section 27.1 and the amendment to section 7300 of the Income Tax Regulations - will apply to taxation years that end after 2012.

"emissions allowance"

An "emissions allowance" is an allowance, credit or similar instrument that represents a unit of emissions that can be used to satisfy a requirement under the laws of Canada or a province governing the emissions of a regulated substance, such as greenhouse gas emissions.

The new definition "emissions allowance" applies as of January 1, 2012.

"emissions obligation"

An "emissions obligation" is an obligation to surrender an emissions allowance, or an obligation that can otherwise be satisfied through the use of an emissions allowance, under a law of Canada or a province governing emissions of a regulated substance such as greenhouse gas emissions.

The new definition "emissions obligation" applies as of January 1, 2012.

Clause 12

Prescribed amounts

ITR
7300

Section 7300 of the Regulations prescribes certain amounts for the purposes of paragraph 12(1)(x) of the Act. An inducement, reimbursement or other form of benefit that is prescribed is not included in computing the income of a business or property under paragraph 12(1)(x).

Section 7300 is amended by adding paragraph (d), to include an emissions allowance issued to a taxpayer under the laws of a government of Canada or a province.

The amendment to section 7300 applies in respect of emissions allowances acquired in taxation years that begin after 2016. However, if a taxpayer elects in their income tax return for the 2016 or 2017 taxation year then the amendment to the amendment to section 7300 - as well as the amendment to the definition of "inventory" in subsection 248(1) and new section 27.1 - will apply to taxation years that end after 2012.

Multiplication of the Small Business Deduction

Clause 13

Small business deduction

ITA
125

Section 125 of the Act contains rules concerning the small business deduction that may be claimed by a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) in respect of its income from carrying on an active business in Canada.

Small business deduction

ITA
125(1)

Subsection 125(1) of the Act provides the basic rules for the calculation of the small business deduction that is available to a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) on its income from carrying on an active business in Canada. Under the deduction, a CCPC can reduce its tax otherwise payable on such income by an amount equal to the small business deduction rate multiplied by the least of three amounts.

The first amount determines the portion of the CCPC's active business income for a taxation year that can be eligible for the deduction (paragraph 125(1)(a)). In general terms, this amount is equal to the sum of the portion of the CCPC's income from an active business carried on in Canada for a taxation year (excluding income earned by the CCPC from a business carried on by it as a member of a partnership), and the corporation's "specified partnership income" (as defined in subsection 125(7)).

Paragraph 125(1)(a) is amended to limit the portions of a CCPC's income from an active business carried on in Canada that are eligible for the small business deduction. Subparagraph 125(1)(a)(i) is amended by inserting clauses (A) to (C) which indicate the portions, if any, of a CCPC's  income from an active business that are not eligible for the deduction.

New clause 125(1)(a)(i)(A) refers to the portion of a CCPC's income that is described in paragraph (a) of the description of A in the definition "specified partnership income" in subsection 125(7) for the year. This portion is, in general, the total of all amounts each of which is an amount in respect of an active business carried on in Canada by the CCPC as a member of a partnership as well as income of the CCPC for the year from providing property or services (directly or indirectly, in any manner whatever) to a partnership as a designated member (as defined in subsection 125(7)).  Such portion of a CCPC's income is eligible for the small business deduction only to the extent determined under the definition "specified partnership income", in which case it is included under subparagraph 125(1)(a)(ii)  - see the explanatory notes accompanying the amended definition "specified partnership income" under subsection 125(7).

New clause 125(1)(a)(i)(B) refers to the portion of a CCPC's  income that is described in subparagraph (a)(i) of the new definition "specified corporate income" in subsection 125(7) for the year. This portion is in general the total of all amounts each of which is income of a CCPC from an active business carried on in Canada by it from the provision of property or services (directly or indirectly, in any manner whatever) to a private corporation if certain conditions are met. Such portion of a corporation's income is eligible for the small business deduction only to the extent determined under the definition "specified corporate income", in which case it is included under new subparagraph 125(1)(a)(ii.1) - see the explanatory notes accompanying the new definition "specified corporate income" in subsection 125(7).

New clause 125(1)(a)(i)(C) refers to the portion of a CCPC's income that is paid or payable to the CCPC by an associated corporation that is deemed by subsection 129(6) to be income of the corporation for the year from an active business where the associated corporation is not a CCPC or is a CCPC that made an election under subsection 256(2). Such portion of income would be taxed at the federal general corporate income tax rate and not the small business tax rate that is obtained through the small business deduction.

In general terms, under subsection 129(6), income from property of a CCPC is deemed to be active business income eligible for the small business deduction if it was paid or payable by a corporation with which the CCPC is associated in the course of an active business carried on in Canada by the associated corporation, to the extent that the amount was or may be deductible in computing the income of the associated corporation.

A CCPC could earn such income from property from an associated corporation that is a third corporation under subsection 256(2) in situations where the third corporation has relied upon one of the exceptions to break their association relationship for the purposes of section 125 (either the third corporation is not a CCPC or is a CCPC that files an election to break the association relationship). As a result, the CCPC could claim the small business deduction on the income based on a full business limit as if the CCPC and the third corporation were not associated, while maintaining the benefit of their actual association for the purposes of converting property income into active business income eligible for the small business deduction.

The above result is inconsistent with the objective of the small business deduction – for example, to the extent that the third corporation would not be eligible for the small business deduction because it is not a CCPC or it is a CCPC that files an election. New clause 125(1)(a)(C) excludes from the income of a CCPC that is eligible for the small business deduction the portion of the CCPC's income that is paid or payable to the CCPC by an associated corporation that is deemed by subsection 129(6) to be income of the CCPC for the year from an active business where the associated corporation is not a CCPC or is a CCPC that makes an election under subsection 256(2). For more information, see the explanatory notes accompanying amended subsection 256(2).

These amendments apply to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

Reduction - small business limit

ITA
125(3.1)

Under the small business deduction provided under subsection 125(1) of the Act, a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) can reduce its tax otherwise payable on income from an active business carried on in Canada by an amount equal to the small business deduction rate multiplied by the least of three amounts. One of the amounts is the CCPC's small business limit for the year, which is generally determined under subsections 125(2) and (3).

New subsection 125(3.1) provides that a CCPC's small business limit for the year must be reduced by any portion of the CCPC's limit for the year that the CCPC assigns to another CCPC under new subsection 125(3.2). New subsection 125(3.2) provides for an assignment by a CCPC of its small business limit to another CCPC that has earned active business income from providing services or property to the CCPC in circumstances where the new specified corporate income rules apply. For more information, see the explanatory notes for the amendments to subsection 125(1), for new subsection 125(3.2) and for the new definition "specified corporate income" under subsection 125(7).

This new subsection applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

Assignment

ITA
125(3.2)

Under new subsection 125(3.2) of the Act, a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC), (the "first CCPC"), can assign all or any portion of its business limit (generally determined under subsections 125(2) and (3)) to another CCPC (the "second CCPC") if the second CCPC has an amount of income for its taxation year that is referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) of the new definition "specified corporate income" in subsection 125(7). Paragraph (a) provides that the income of the second CCPC must be from the provision of services or property directly to the first CCPC.

Subparagraph (a)(i) of the definition "specified corporate income" refers to the total of all amounts each of which is income of the second CCPC from an active business carried on in Canada by it from the provision of property or services directly to the first CCPC if certain conditions are met. In the case of a second CCPC that has active business income from providing property or services indirectly to the first CCPC, such income can be specified corporate income, but the first CCPC cannot make any assignment to the second CCPC.

The assignment by the first CCPC of its business limit to the second CCPC makes the income that the second CCPC has from the first CCPC eligible for the small business deduction, which income would otherwise be ineligible though the application of new clause 125(1)(a)(i)(B), new subparagraph 125(1)(a)(ii.1) and the new definition "specified corporate income" in subsection 125(7). For more information, see the explanatory notes for the amendments to subsection 125(1) and for the new definition "specified corporate income".

The first CCPC can assign a portion of its small business limit for a year that ends in the taxation year of the second CCPC during which the second CCPC has income from the first CCPC due to paragraph (b).

The maximum amount that the first CCPC can assign to the second CCPC is determined under paragraph (c). It cannot exceed the amount determined by the formula A – B.

Paragraph (d) provides that both CCPCs must file a prescribed form with the Minister of National Revenue for their respective taxation years for the assignment to be valid.

New subsection 125(3.2) applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016. However, a person that is entitled to make an assignment to a corporation can make such an assignment in respect of the person's taxation year that begins before March 22 and ends after March 21, 2016 if the assignment is made to the corporation for its taxation year that begins after March 21, 2016.

Definitions

ITA
125(7)

Subsection 125(7) of the Act contains definitions that are relevant for the purposes of the small business deduction under section 125.

"designated member"

The new definition "designated member" is relevant for determining whether income earned by a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) from providing services or property to a partnership is "specified partnership income" for the purposes of determining the portion of the CCPC's income that is eligible for the small business deduction under subsection 125(1).  This definition is intended to address structures that avoid the specified partnership income rules and to prevent the inappropriate multiplication of the small business deduction.

The definition "specified partnership income" is used to calculate the portion of a CCPC's income from an active business carried on in Canada as a member of a partnership that is eligible for the small business deduction, and is expanded to apply to corporations that are "designated members" of the partnership. For more information, see the explanatory notes for the amendment to the definition "specified partnership income" under subsection 125(7).

In general terms, a CCPC is a designated member in respect of a partnership if it provides property or services (directly or indirectly, in any manner whatever) to a partnership at any time in the CCPC's taxation year if, at any time in the year, the CCPC is not a member of the partnership (paragraph (a) of the definition) and one of the following tests is met:

This new definition applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

"specified corporate income"

The new definition "specified corporate income" is relevant in determining the portion of a Canadian-controlled private corporation's (CCPC's) income from an active business carried on in Canada that is eligible for the small business deduction under subsection 125(1). This definition is intended to address structures that avoid the specified partnership income rules and to prevent the inappropriate multiplication of the small business deduction.

Under the small business deduction rule in subsection 125(1), a CCPC can reduce its tax otherwise payable on income from carrying on an active business in Canada by an amount equal to the small business deduction rate multiplied by the least of three amounts. The first of the amounts determines the portion of the corporation's active business income for a taxation year that can be eligible for the deduction (paragraph 125(1)(a)). Subparagraph 125(1)(a)(i) is amended by inserting clauses (A) to (C), which clauses indicate the portions, if any, of a CCPC's income from an active business that is not eligible for the deduction.

New clause 125(1)(a)(i)(B) refers to the portion of the CCPC's income that is described in subparagraph (a)(i) of the definition "specified corporate income" in subsection 125(7). This portion of a CCPC's income is eligible for the small business deduction only to the extent determined under the definition "specified corporate income", in which case it is included under new subparagraph 125(1)(a)(ii.1). For more information, see the explanatory notes for the amendments to subsection 125(1).

Under this new definition of "specified corporate income", a CCPC can have specified corporate income for a taxation year if the CCPC has income from an active business carried on in Canada by it from the provision of property or services to a private corporation (directly or indirectly, in any manner whatever) and if the conditions in clauses (a)(i)(A) and (B) of the definition are met:

If the conditions in subparagraph (a)(i) are met, the CCPC's specified corporate income for the year is the lesser of the following amounts:

This new definition applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

"specified partnership business limit"

The new definition "specified partnership business limit" establishes the maximum amount of income that a member or a designated member of a partnership earns from the partnership and that is eligible for the small business deduction under the definition "specified partnership income".

This maximum amount is currently provided under paragraph (b) of the description of A in the definition "specified partnership income". By virtue of amended paragraph (b) of the description of A, the income that a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) earns from a partnership as a member, or as a designated member, that is eligible for the small business deduction cannot exceed the proportionate share of the notional small business limit of the partnership as determined under subparagraphs (b)(i) and (b)(ii), which is based on the new concept of "specified partnership business limit".

In general terms, the definition "specified partnership business limit" is based on the wording of current paragraph (b) of the description of A, except that any person that is a member of a partnership has a specified partnership business limit and that limit is reduced by any portion of the limit that the person decides to assign to a CCPC under new subsection 125(8), and taking into account amendments made to the definition "specified partnership income". 

More specifically, the specified partnership business limit of a person for a taxation year means the amount determined by the formula (K/L) x M – T:

This new definition applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

"specified partnership income"

The definition "specified partnership income" is used for determining the portion of a Canadian-controlled private corporation's (CCPC's) income from an active business carried on in Canada as a member of a partnership that is eligible for the small business deduction. The specified partnership income rules are intended to eliminate the multiplication of the small business deduction in respect of a partnership of corporations that are not associated with each other. In such a case, a single small business limit applies with respect to the partnership's business. Without these rules, each CCPC that is a member of a partnership could claim a separate small business deduction of up to $500,000 in respect of the portion of the partnership's active business income allocated to it.

Currently, a CCPC's specified partnership income for a taxation year is the total of two amounts, in the descriptions of A and B in the definition. These descriptions apply to the extent that a corporation is a member of a partnership (as indicated in the opening words of the description of A and paragraph (a) of the description, as well as in paragraph (b) in the description of B).

The definition "specified partnership income" is amended to expand its application to prevent the multiplication of the small business deduction.

First, the definition is amended to apply to CCPC's that are "designated members" of the partnership, as newly defined in subsection 125(7). In general terms, a CCPC that is not a member of a partnership at any time in the CCPC's taxation year can be a designated member of the partnership if the CCPC provides services or property to the partnership (directly or indirectly, in any manner whatever) in the year as an independent contractor and, at any time in the year, a shareholder of the CCPC holds a direct or indirect interest in the partnership or the CCPC does not deal at arm's length with a person that owns a direct or indirect interest in the partnership. For more information, see the explanatory notes for the new definition "designated member" in subsection 125(7). This change is made because, under the current rule, a CCPC that is not a member of the partnership can claim a full small business deduction on its active business income earned in respect of the partnership even if a shareholder of the CCPC is a member of the partnership.

Second, the following amendments are made to the descriptions of A and B in the definition "specified partnership income" to expand the application of this definition to a CCPC that is a "designated member" of a partnership:

Third, the amount determined in the description of A in the definition "specified partnership income" is amended to refer to "the least of" of three amounts, instead of "the lesser of" two amounts. This amendment is consequential on the addition of new paragraph (c) in the description of A. This paragraph is introduced in relation to the expansion of the specified partnership income rules to prevent the multiplication of the small business deduction, including the introduction of the specified corporate incomes rules that are intended to address structures that avoid the specified partnership income rules.

New paragraph (c) in the description of A of the definition "specified partnership income" provides that the amount for this description is nil if the conditions in new subparagraphs (c)(i) and (ii) are met. Subparagraph (c)(i) requires that the CCPC be a member or a designated member of a partnership (including directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships) in the CCPC's year. In general, the test in subparagraph (c)(ii) is met if the partnership provides services or property to either a private corporation or a partnership, and if the two parties are sufficiently linked and the property or services are not provided as a small part of the partnership's bona fide  business of providing property or services to arm's length persons or partnerships. More particularly, the test is met if the partnership provides services or property to either:

These amendments apply to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

Assignment – specified partnership business limit

ITA
125(8)

New subsection 125(8) of the Act is relevant for the purpose of the definition "specified partnership business income" under subsection 125(7).

A Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) that earns income in a taxation year in respect of an active business carried on in Canada as a designated member of a partnership cannot claim the small business deduction on any portion of that income unless an amount is assigned to the CCPC for the year under new subsection 125(8). For more information, see the explanatory notes accompanying the amendment to paragraph (b) of the description of A in the definition "specified partnership income" under subsection 125(7).

In general terms, under new subsection 125(8), a person can assign an amount to the CCPC only if the person is an actual member of the partnership in a taxation year and is either a shareholder of the CCPC who holds a direct interest in the partnership, or a person who holds a direct interest in the partnership and who does not deal at arm's length with the CCPC (paragraph (a)). Such a person may assign to the CCPC (for a taxation year of the CCPC) all or any portion of the person's specified partnership business limit in respect of the partnership for the person's taxation year.

The specified partnership business limit that the person can assign to the CCPC must be in respect of the person's limit for the fiscal period of the partnership that ends in the CCPC's taxation year (paragraph (b)).

For the assignment to be valid, both the CCPC and the person making the assignment must file a prescribed form for their relevant taxation years (paragraph (c)).

The amount that the person assigns to the CCPC under new subsection 125(8) reduces the person's specified partnership business limit in respect of the partnership under the description of T in the new definition "specified partnership business limit" in subsection 125(7).

This new subsection applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016. However, a person that is entitled to make an assignment to a corporation can make such an assignment in respect of the person's taxation year that begins before March 22 and ends after March 21, 2016 if the assignment is made to the corporation for their taxation year that begins after March 21, 2016.

Anti-avoidance rule

ITA
125(9)

New subsection 125(9) of the Act is an anti-avoidance rule for the purpose of the small business deduction in respect of specified partnership income and specified corporate income.

Under new subsection 125(9), an amount of a corporation's income from an active business carried on in Canada that consists of the provision of services or property to a person or partnership is not eligible for the small business deduction (because such amount cannot be included in the total determined under paragraph 125(1)(a)) if the following conditions are met:

This new subsection applies to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

Avoidance of the Business Limit and Taxable Capital Limit

Clause 14

ITA
256(2) – Corporations associated through a third corporation

Subsection 256(2) of the Act applies for the purpose of determining if two or more corporations are associated with each other. This rule applies for the purposes of the Act, and is relevant for determining whether corporations must share a single business limit and whether this limit must be reduced based on their aggregate taxable capital (taxable capital limit) for the purpose of the small business deduction provided for Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC's) under subsection 125(1). Subsection 256(2) is part of a set of rules that strikes a balance between allowing different family members to carry on businesses through separate CCPC's eligible for the small business deduction and addressing tax planning arrangements used by a single economic group as an attempt to multiply the small business deduction.

In general terms, two corporations that would not be associated with each other are deemed to be associated with each other at a particular time under subsection 256(2) if, at that time, each corporation is associated with the same third corporation. As a result, the two corporations and the third corporation are deemed to be associated with each other for the purposes of the Act, including for the purposes of sharing a single business limit and taxable capital limit under section 125.

However, if either of the two following exceptions applies, the third corporation is deemed not to be associated with either of the two corporations in the third corporation's taxation year for the purposes of section 125 and its business limit is deemed to be nil:

Subsection 256(2) is amended to prevent the misuse of the current exceptions to multiply access to the small business deduction.

First, subsection 256(2) is divided into paragraphs (a) and (b). Paragraph (a) applies for the purposes of the Act, while paragraph (b) contains exceptions that apply only for the purposes of section 125.

Second, new paragraph 256(2)(a) provides that, subject to paragraph (b), two corporations are deemed to be associated with each other at a particular time if they would not otherwise be associated at that time but are associated with the same third corporation, or would be deemed to be associated with the same third corporation under subsection 256(2).

Third, for the purpose of section 125, new paragraph 256(2)(b) limits the scope of the exceptions to the deeming rule in new paragraph 256(2)(a).

Finally, a related amendment is made to subsection 125(1) in respect of income from property (such as interest and rent) of a CCPC that is deemed under subsection 129(6) to be active business income eligible for the small business deduction where  one of the exceptions to the deeming rule in subsection 256(2) applies. For more information, see the explanatory notes for the amendments to subsection 125(1).

The amendments to subsection 256(2) apply to taxation years that begin after March 21, 2016.

Life Insurance Policies

Clause 15

Adjusted cost base

ITA
53(1)

Subsection 53(1) of the Act sets out a number of amounts that are required to be added, in computing the adjusted cost base to a taxpayer of property, to the taxpayer's cost of the property. Paragraph 53(1)(e) provides for additions in computing the adjusted cost base to a taxpayer of property that is an interest in a partnership. Subparagraph 53(1)(e)(iii) provides for the addition of the taxpayer's share of certain proceeds of a life insurance policy received by the partnership, as a beneficiary under the policy, because of the death of a life insured under the policy. The addition applies only to the extent that those proceeds exceed the adjusted cost basis of the policy to the partnership immediately before the death. In effect, the partnership's policy adjusted cost basis is not included in the amount added to the adjusted cost base to a taxpayer of property that is an interest in the partnership.

Subparagraph 53(1)(e)(iii) is amended so that the policy adjusted cost basis limit described above also applies in cases where the partnership is not a policyholder of the policy. Specifically, where the death that gives rise to the insurance proceeds received by the partnership occurs after March 21, 2016, the adjusted cost basis limit is the total of all amounts each of which is the adjusted cost basis to a policyholder of the policyholder's interest in the policy.

Subparagraph 53(1)(e)(iii) is also amended to impose a further limit on the amount of the proceeds received by the partnership that is added to the adjusted cost base to a taxpayer of property that is an interest in the partnership. New clause 53(1)(e)(iii)(C) imposes this limit, which applies in the case where an interest in the policy was disposed of after 1999 and before March 22, 2016, the disposing policyholder was not a taxable Canadian corporation, subsection 148(7) applied to the disposition, an amount of consideration was given in respect of the disposition and the death that gives rise to the proceeds occurs after March 21, 2016.

The amount of the limit is the amount by which the fair market value of the consideration given in respect of the disposition exceeds the greater of (i) the proceeds of disposition determined in respect of the disposition (in this case being the policy's value, as defined in subsection 148(9), at the time of the disposition), and (ii) the adjusted cost basis to the disposing policyholder of the interest immediately before the disposition time. In general terms, the limit imposed by clause 53(1)(e)(iii)(C) reflects the amount, if any, that would have been included as income (under subsection 148(1)) of the disposing policyholder had the excess described in the clause been included in determining the proceeds of the disposition of the interest.

Clause 16

Definitions

ITA
89(1)

Subsection 89(1) of the Act contains the definitions "capital dividend account" and "paid-up capital", which are relevant for many purposes of the Act.

"capital dividend account"

The definition "capital dividend account" is part of a mechansim for allowing certain tax-free amounts to flow through a private corporation without attracting an extra level of tax.

Paragraph (d) of the definition permits a corporation to add to its capital dividend account the amount of proceeds of a life insurance policy received by the corporation, as a beneficiary under the policy, in consequence of the death of an individual whose life is insured under the policy.

The addition applies only to the extent that those proceeds exceed the adjusted cost basis of the policy to the corporation immediately before the death. In effect, the corporation's policy adjusted cost basis is not included in the amount added to the capital dividend account.

Subparagraph (d)(iii) of the definition is amended so that the policy adjusted cost basis limit described above also applies in cases where the corporation is not a policyholder of the policy. Specifically, where the death that gives rise to the insurance proceeds received by the corporation occurs after March 21, 2016, the adjusted cost basis limit is the total of all amounts each of which is the adjusted cost basis to a policyholder of the policyholder's interest in the policy.

New subparagraph (d)(v) of the definition imposes two further limits on the amount of the insurance proceeds received by the corporation that is added to its capital dividend account. The two limits apply where an interest in the policy was disposed of after 1999 and before March 22, 2016, the disposing policyholder was not a taxable Canadian corporation, subsection 148(7) applied to the disposition and the death that gives rise to the proceeds occurs after March 21, 2016. More particularly, the two limits are:

"paid-up capital"

Paragraph (b) of the "paid-up capital" definition defines "paid-up capital" in respect of a class of shares of the capital stock of a corporation. Subparagraph (b)(iii) of the definition provides that, after March 31, 1977, paid-up capital is to be calculated without reference to any provisions of the Act other than those listed in the subparagraph.

Subparagraph (b)(iii) is amended to add a reference to subsection 148(7). Paragraphs 148(7)(c) and (f) contain certain rules regarding the computation of paid-up capital of certain shares of a class of the capital stock of a corporation where an interest in a life insurance policy is transferred to the corporation in circumstances in which subsection 148(7) applies.

Clause 17

Dispositions at non-arm's length and similar cases

ITA
148(7)

Subsection 148(7) of the Act applies to certain dispositions of an interest in a life insurance policy, including a disposition by way of non-arm's length transfer (to which none of subsections 148(8) to (8.2) apply), by way of gift and by way of distribution from a corporation. Subsection 148(7) deems the proceeds of the disposition to the disposing policyholder to be the value (as defined in subsection 148(9)) of the interest at the time of the disposition. The subsection also deems the cost of the interest to the acquiring policyholder to be an amount equal to the proceeds of the interest determined for the disposing policyholder.

Subsection 148(7) is amended to ensure that amounts are not inappropriately received tax-free by a policyholder as a result of a disposition of an interest in a life insurance policy. Paragraph 148(7)(a) provides that for dispositions after March 21, 2016 to which subsection 148(7) applies the proceeds of the disposition are the amount that is the greatest of (i) the fair market value of any consideration given for the interest, (ii) the interest's value and (iii) the adjusted cost basis to the disposing shareholder of the interest. For dispositions before March 22, 2016, the proceeds of the disposition are the amount that is the value of the interest.

Under paragraph 148(7)(b), the cost of the interest to the acquiring policyholder continues to be the amount equal to the proceeds of the interest determined for the disposing policyholder in respect of the disposition.

New paragraphs 148(7)(c) to (e) provide that, in connection with a disposition of an interest to which subsection 148(7) applies:

New paragraph 148(7)(f) contains special rules that apply to a disposition of an interest in a policy that occurs after 1999 and before March 22, 2016 where a person whose life was insured under the policy before March 22, 2016 is alive on March 22, 2016. For these cases:

The adjustments that apply at the start of March 22, 2016 in respect of a disposition of an interest in a policy that occurs before March 22, 2016 are relevant to determining the portion of any future proceeds in respect of the policy that may be added to the capital dividend account of a corporate beneficiary under the policy. For more information, see the commentary on the definition "capital dividend account" in subsection 89(1).

Debt-Parking to Avoid Foreign Exchange Gains

Clause 18

Deemed gain – parked obligation

ITA
39(2.01)

New subsections 39(2.01) to (2.03) of the Act are intended to counter the "parking" of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency that is undertaken to avoid the realization of a foreign exchange gain on the repayment of the debt obligation.

In general terms, for the purposes of subsection 39(2), where a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency becomes a parked obligation at a particular time, new subsection 39(2.01) deems the debtor to have made, at that time, the gain, if any, that it otherwise would have made if it had paid an amount in satisfaction of the debt obligation equal to:

This amendment is deemed to have come into force on March 22, 2016. However, it does not apply to a debt obligation at the time that the obligation meets the conditions to become a parked obligation because of a written agreement entered into before March 22, 2016 if that time is before 2017.

Parked obligation

ITA
39(2.02)

New subsection 39(2.02) of the Act sets out certain conditions that must be met for a debt obligation owing by a debtor to be a parked obligation at a particular time for the purposes of new subsection 39(2.01).

First, new paragraph 39(2.02)(a) requires that both:

In general terms, a debt obligation will meet the conditions in new paragraph 39(2.02)(a) if, for example, the debt obligation is acquired by a person with which the debtor does not deal at arm's length from a creditor that dealt at arm's length with the debtor. A debt obligation could also meet the conditions in new paragraph 39(2.02)(a), without it being acquired by a new creditor, if there is a change of status between the debtor and the current holder of the debt obligation, from dealing at arm's length to not dealing at arm's length or, where the debtor is a corporation, from the current holder of the debt obligation not having a significant interest in the debtor to having a significant interest in the debtor.

Second, new paragraph 39(2.02)(b) requires that it can reasonably be considered that one of the main purposes of the transaction or event or series of transactions or events that resulted in the debt obligation meeting the condition in new subparagraph 39(2.02)(a)(i) – either by the acquisition of the debt obligation by its current holder or by a change of status between the current holder and the debtor – is to avoid the application of subsection 39(2).

This amendment is deemed to have come into force on March 22, 2016. However, it does not apply to a debt obligation at the time that the obligation meets the conditions to become a parked obligation because of a written agreement entered into before March 22, 2016 if that time is before 2017.

Interpretation

ITA
39(2.03)

New subsection 39(2.03) of the Act provides that the following provisions apply for the purposes of new subsections 39(2.01) and 39(2.02):

This amendment is deemed to have come into force on March 22, 2016. However, it does not apply to a debt obligation at the time that the obligation meets the conditions to become a parked obligation because of a written agreement entered into before March 22, 2016 if that time is before 2017.

Clause 19

Debt parking – foreign exchange

ITA
261(10.1)

Subsection 261(10) of the Act applies if a taxpayer has, at any time in a functional currency year or reversionary year, made a payment on account of the principal amount of a pre-transition debt. Subsection 261(10) provides that where the taxpayer would have made a gain or sustained a loss (or have had income or a loss) if the pre-transition debt had been settled by the taxpayer repaying the debt immediately before the end of its last Canadian currency year, the taxpayer is deemed to have made a gain or sustained a loss (or to have had income or a loss) in proportion to any amount of the principal that is subsequently repaid.

New subsection 261(10.1) provides that, for the purposes of determining a taxpayer's gain under subsection 261(10), if a pre-transition debt that is denominated in a foreign currency becomes a parked obligation at a particular time, the debtor is deemed to have made, at that time, a particular payment on account of the principal amount of the debt equal to:

This amendment is deemed to have come into force on March 22, 2016. However, it does not apply to a pre-transition debt at the time that the debt meets the conditions to become a parked obligation because of a written agreement entered into before March 22, 2016 if that time is before 2017.

Debt parking – foreign exchange

ITA
261(14.1)

Subsection 261(14) of the Act contains rules that apply if a taxpayer has, at any time in in a reversionary year, made a payment on account of the principal amount of a pre-reversion debt. These rules are analogous to the rules in subsection 261(10) that apply to pre-transition debts. Subsection 261(14) provides that where the taxpayer would have made a gain or sustained a loss (or have had income or a loss) if the pre-reversion debt had been settled by the taxpayer repaying the debt immediately before the end of its last functional currency year, the taxpayer is deemed to have made a gain or sustained a loss (or to have had income or a loss) in proportion to any amount of the principal that is subsequently repaid.

New subsection 261(14.1) provides that, for the purposes of determining a taxpayer's gain under subsection 261(14), if a pre-reversion debt that is denominated in a foreign currency becomes a parked obligation at a particular time, the debtor is deemed to have made, at that time, a particular payment on account of the principal amount of the debt equal to:

This amendment is deemed to have come into force on March 22, 2016. However, it does not apply to a pre-reversion debt at the time that the debt meets the conditions to become a parked obligation because of a written agreement entered into before March 22, 2016 if that time is before 2017.

Valuation for Derivatives

Clause 20

Derivatives

ITA
10(15)

Section 10 of the Act sets out rules for the valuation of property held as inventory for the purposes of computing a taxpayer's income or loss from a business.

New subsection 10(15) provides that property that is a financial derivative instrument is deemed not to be inventory of a taxpayer for the purposes of section 10.

New subsection 10(15) is intended to ensure that financial derivative instruments are valued in accordance with the general principles of profit computation under section 9 rather than by using one of the valuation methods described in subsection 10(1).

This amendment applies to agreements entered into on or after March 22, 2016.

Clause 21

Derivatives – lower of cost and market

ITA
18(1)(x)

New paragraph 18(1)(x) of the Act provides that no amount shall be deducted in a year in respect of any reduction in the value of a property of a taxpayer if

This amendment applies to agreements entered into on or after March 22, 2016.

Eligible Capital Property
Overview

The eligible capital property (ECP) rules in section 14 of the Act govern the tax treatment of certain expenditures (outlays and expenses described in the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in subsection 14(5)) and receipts (amounts described by E in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5)) that are not otherwise accounted for as business revenues or expenses, or under the rules relating to capital property.

The ECP rules are repealed and replaced by new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations, effective on January 1, 2017. Property that was ECP will be depreciable property and expenditures and receipts that were accounted for under the ECP rules will be accounted for under the rules for depreciable capital property.

Depreciation

New Class 14.1 generally includes goodwill, property that was ECP before 2017 and property acquired on or after January 1, 2017, the cost of which would be treated as an eligible capital expenditure under the ECP rules. The full cost of property of the new class acquired on or after January 1, 2017 is added to the undepreciated capital cost (UCC) of the class, instead of only 75% of the cost being added to cumulative eligible capital (CEC) under the ECP rules.

To account for the increase in the portion of the cost of property that is allowed to be depreciated from 75% to 100%, new subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1) of the Regulations provides that capital cost allowance in respect of the new class may be taken at a 5% rate on a declining balance basis under paragraph 20(1)(a) of the Act, instead of 7% on a declining balance basis under former paragraph 20(1)(b).

Subsection 1101(1) of the Regulations provides for a separate class in respect of each business of a taxpayer. This is consistent with the ECP rules, which provided for a separate CEC pool in respect of each business of a taxpayer. As a result, there is a separate new Class 14.1 in respect of each CEC pool of a taxpayer.

Recapture

Amounts deducted in respect of property of the new class under paragraph 20(1)(a) are subject to recapture under subsection 13(1) of the Act. The reduction in the UCC of the class from the disposition of property is generally equal to the lesser of the proceeds of disposition of the property and the capital cost of the property. The amount of any negative UCC balance is included in income under subsection 13(1) as recapture.

Taxation of gains

Gains from the disposition of property of the new class are taxable under subdivision c of Division B of Part I of the Act. When a capital property is disposed of, the amount by which the proceeds of disposition exceed the cost of the property generally results in a capital gain, 50% of which is included in income as a taxable capital gain.

Expenditures and receipts not related to property

The definition "property" in subsection 248(1) of the Act is broad and includes, for example, a right of any kind whatever. As a result, most, but not all, expenditures and receipts that would be eligible capital expenditures or eligible capital receipts under the ECP rules relate to the acquisition or disposition of a property and, consequently, such amounts result in an adjustment to the UCC of the new CCA class when the property is acquired or disposed of.

New subsections 13(34) to (36) of the Act provide special rules for expenditures and receipts of a business that do not relate to property and that would adjust the CEC of the business under the ECP rules. Such an expenditure or receipt is accounted for by adjusting the capital cost of the goodwill of the business. Subsection 13(34) provides that every business is considered to have goodwill property associated with it, even if there has not been an expenditure to acquire goodwill. Subsections 13(34) and (35) provide that an expenditure that does not relate to property increases the capital cost of the goodwill of a business and, consequently, the UCC of the new CCA class.

Subsections 13(34) and (36) provide that a receipt that does not relate to property reduces the capital cost of the goodwill of a business and, consequently, the UCC of the new CCA class, by the lesser of the capital cost of the goodwill (which could be nil) and the amount of the receipt. If the amount of the receipt exceeds the capital cost of the goodwill, the excess results in a capital gain. Previously deducted depreciation is recaptured to the extent that the reduction to the capital cost of goodwill results in a negative UCC balance.

Transitional rules – additional depreciation

New subparagraph 1100(1)(c.1)(i) of the Regulations provides that, for taxation years that end before 2027, the depreciation rate for the new CCA class is 7 per cent in respect of expenditures incurred before January 1, 2017 instead of the 5 per cent rate provided by new subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1).

Transitional rules – undepreciated capital cost balance

New paragraphs 13(37)(a) to (d) generally provide that the UCC of the new class in respect of a business at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is equal to the amount that would have been the CEC balance in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

The determination of the total capital cost and the allocation of the capital cost of each property that was an eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is relevant to the calculation of recaptured capital cost allowance and any capital gains in respect of the disposition of such a property on or after January 1, 2017. It is not necessary to determine the total capital cost, or to allocate a capital cost to each property, to determine the amount that may be deducted under 20(1)(a) in respect of the new class.

Transitional rules – deemed gain immediately before January 1, 2017

Paragraph 13(37)(d) provides rules for including an amount in a taxpayer's income in a taxation year that straddles January 1, 2017. The amount of the income inclusion, if any, is relevant to the calculation of the final CEC balance for the purpose of determining the total capital cost of the class under paragraph 13(37)(a). An income inclusion may be required, for instance, if a taxpayer receives proceeds in that taxation year and prior to January 1, 2017, such that there would have been an income inclusion under paragraph 14(1)(b) if the taxation year had instead ended immediately before January 1, 2017. A taxpayer may choose to have the income inclusion reported as business income or as a taxable capital gain.

An election to defer this income inclusion is available in a manner that is conceptually similar to the manner in which income inclusions could be deferred under the ECP rules. Where, on or after January 1, 2017 and in that taxation year, a taxpayer acquires a property of the new class or is deemed by subsection 13(35) to have acquired goodwill, the taxpayer may elect to reduce the income inclusion under paragraph 13(37)(d), by up to half of the capital cost of the new property. In this case, the capital cost of the new property is then reduced by twice the amount by which the income inclusion is reduced.

Transitional rules – Dispositions of former ECP

New subsection 13(38) is intended to ensure that receipts related to expenditures incurred before January 1, 2017 do not result in excess recapture when applied to reduce the balance of the new CCA class. Subsection 13(38) provides, in effect, that certain qualifying receipts reduce the UCC of the new CCA class at a 75% rate (the rate at which eligible capital expenditures were added to CEC). Receipts that qualify for the 75% rate are generally receipts from the disposition of a property that was an ECP and receipts that do not represent the proceeds of disposition of property.  This is achieved by increasing the UCC of the new class by, generally, 25% of the lesser of the proceeds of disposition and the cost of the property disposed of.

Transitional rules – Non-arm's length dispositions of former ECP

Although subsection 13(38) increases the UCC balance of the new class for, generally, 25% of the proceeds of disposition of property that was ECP before January 1, 2017, new subsection 13(39) is intended to prevent the use of non-arm's length transfers to increase the amount that can be depreciated in respect of the new class. Subsection 13(39) generally provides that where a taxpayer acquires a property of the new class, in effect only 3/4 of the capital cost of the property is included in the UCC in respect of the class if

This effect is achieved by deeming the taxpayer to have claimed CCA in respect of the new class equal to the lesser of 1/4 of the cost of the property acquired and the amount that was deemed by subsection 13(38) to have been added to the UCC of the new class of the taxpayer or another person or partnership.

Clause 22

Depreciable property

ITA
13

Section 13 of the Act provides rules relating to depreciable property. As a result of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules in section 14 of the Act and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property under section 1100 of the Regulations, property that was previously eligible capital property will be depreciable property in new Class 14.1 and the rules in section 13 will apply to this property after 2016. As with the eligible capital property rules, there will be a separate expenditure pool in respect of each business of a taxpayer. Each cumulative eligible capital pool of a taxpayer will be replaced by a new undepreciated capital cost pool.

Replacement property

ITA
13(4.3)(d)

Subsection 13(4) of the Act allows a taxpayer, who is required under subsection 13(1) to include in income recaptured depreciation resulting from the disposition of certain depreciable property (a "former property"), to elect to defer tax on the recapture to the extent that the taxpayer reinvests the proceeds of disposition in a replacement property within a certain period of time. Subsection 13(4.3) provides rules that apply when a joint election has been made under subsection 13(4.2) in respect of a property that is a franchise, concession or license for a limited period that is wholly attributable to the carrying on of a business at a fixed place.

There may be circumstances where, but for an election under subsection 13(4.2), a portion of the consideration given by a transferee upon the sale of a limited period franchise, license or concession might reasonably be considered to be an eligible capital amount to the transferor and an eligible capital expenditure to the transferee. For instance, a portion of the consideration may reasonably relate to the preferred status that the transferee may receive in obtaining a new property at the end of the term. Where an election under subsection 13(4.2) is made, subsection 13(4.3) provides that such an amount will be neither an eligible capital amount to the transferor, nor an eligible capital expenditure to the transferee, but will instead be included in the cost to the transferee and proceeds of disposition of the transferor of the former property.

Subsection 13(4.3) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to remove references to "eligible capital expenditure" and "eligible capital amount". It is also amended to provide that any amount that would, if the Act were read without reference to subsection 13(4.3), be included in the cost of a property of the transferor included in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations (including a deemed acquisition under subsection 13(35)) or included in the proceeds of disposition of a property of the transferee included in Class 14.1 (including a deemed disposition under subsection 13(36)) in respect of the disposition or termination of the former property by the transferor is deemed to be neither included in the cost nor the proceeds of disposition of property included in Class 14.1.

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions and terminations that occur after 2016.

Deemed capital cost

ITA
13(7.41)

Subsection 14(10) of the Act provides that the repayment of government assistance increases the eligible capital expenditure of a taxpayer if the repayment is made before the taxpayer has ceased to carry on business. New subsection 13(7.41) provides that, if a taxpayer has repaid government assistance that has been deducted from the taxpayer's eligible capital expenditures because of paragraph 14(10)(c) and the taxpayer has not ceased to carry on business, the amount of the repayment is considered to have been repaid immediately before January 1, 2017 for the purposes of new subsection 13(37).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Timing of deductions

ITA
13(7.42)

New subsection 13(7.42) of the Act provides that amounts may be deducted under paragraph 20(1)(a) in respect of an amount of repaid assistance referred to in new subsection 13(7.41) starting in the year in which the assistance is repaid.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Goodwill

ITA
13(34)

Subsection 13(34) of the Act ensures that the determination of whether a property is depreciable property is made before determining whether the cost of the property is eligible for deduction under sections 66 to 66.4, applicable to taxation years that end after 1987 and before December 6, 1996. Paragraph 1102(1)(a) of the Regulationsprovides the same result for taxation years that end after December 5, 1996.

Subsection 13(34) is replaced as of January 1, 2017.

Consequential on the repeal of the ECP rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property, new subsection 13(34) provides rules for determining the cost of goodwill acquired and disposed of.  It is necessary to determine the cost of the goodwill of a business in order to calculate capital gains, the undepreciated capital cost balance of the new class, and the recapture of depreciation previously claimed.

Subsection 13(34) is intended to recognize that goodwill is not a separately identifiable property and can only be disposed of as part of the sale of a business as a going concern. The definition "property" in subsection 248(1) is concurrently amended to provide that the goodwill of a business is property for the purposes of the Act. Goodwill is also included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

The combined effect of subsections 13(34) to (36) and the existing rules relating to depreciable property includes the following:

In particular, paragraph 13(34)(a) deems there to be a single goodwill property in respect of a particular business.

Paragraph 13(34)(b) provides that if a taxpayer who carries on a particular business acquires goodwill as part of the acquisition of another business that is carried on, after the acquisition, as part of the particular business (or if the taxpayer is deemed by new subsection 13(35) to acquire goodwill in respect of the particular business), the cost of the goodwill acquired is added to the cost of the goodwill in respect of the particular business. That is, a taxpayer is considered to own a single goodwill property in respect of a business, and if goodwill is acquired as a result of a business acquisition (such that the second business becomes part of the first), the taxpayer still has only one goodwill property in respect of the continuing business.

Paragraph 13(34)(c) provides that if a taxpayer who carries on a particular business

then:

(i) the taxpayer is deemed to have disposed of a portion of the goodwill in respect of the particular business having a cost equal to the lesser of the cost of the single goodwill property in respect of the particular business and the proceeds attributable to goodwill; and

(ii) the cost of the goodwill property in respect of the particular business is reduced by the amount determined to be the cost of the portion of the goodwill disposed of.

This recognizes that a taxpayer may sell a portion of a business and receive proceeds in respect of goodwill. However, if the remaining business continues, the taxpayer still has a goodwill property in respect of that business.

If a taxpayer makes more than one disposition of goodwill at the same time, paragraph 13(34)(d) provides that paragraph 13(34)(c) and subsection 13(38) apply as if each disposition had occurred separately. Subsection 13(38) provides a transitional rule that may apply to increase a taxpayer's undepreciated capital cost when the taxpayer disposes of certain property included in new Class 14.1.

Example

A taxpayer acquires a business and as part of the acquisition, the taxpayer acquires goodwill at a cost of $100.  The $100 is added to the undepreciated capital cost of new Class 14.1 in respect of the business.

After a few years, the taxpayer decides to expand his business by acquiring a new business.  The new business is not carried on as separate business but is combined with the existing business. As part of the acquisition of the new business, the taxpayer acquires goodwill at a cost of $200. Paragraph 13(34)(a) deems the taxpayer to have a single goodwill property in respect of the business and paragraph 13(34)(b) provides that the cost of that single goodwill property is $300 (i.e., $100+$200).  As well, $200 is added to the undepreciated capital cost of new Class 14.1 in respect of the business, resulting in an undepreciated capital cost of $300 (assuming no deductions have been taken under paragraph 20(1)(a)).

After a few more years, the taxpayer decides to sell a portion of the business.

Scenario 1

As part of the sale, the taxpayer receives proceeds from the sale of goodwill of $50. Paragraph 13(34)(c) provides that the cost of the goodwill disposed of is $50, which is the lesser of the cost of the single goodwill property in respect of the business ($300) and the proceeds from the disposition of the goodwill disposed of ($50). This results in a $50 reduction in the undepreciated capital cost balance, resulting in an undepreciated capital cost of $250 (assuming no deductions have been taken under paragraph 20(1)(a)). As well, the cost of the goodwill of the remaining business is reduced by $50, resulting in a cost of $250 (i.e., $300-$50).

Scenario 2

The taxpayer instead receives proceeds from the sale of goodwill of $500.  Paragraph 13(34)(c) provides that the cost of the goodwill disposed of is $300 (the lesser of the cost of the single goodwill property ($300) and the proceeds of the goodwill disposed of ($500)).  This results in a $300 reduction of the undepreciated capital cost balance (to nil) and a $200 capital gain.  As well, the cost of the single goodwill property of the remaining business is reduced by $300, to nil.

Scenario 3

The taxpayer disposes of two portions of the business at the same time, and receives proceeds of $500 from two dispositions of goodwill (one for proceeds of $50 and one for proceeds of $450).  Paragraph 13(34)(d) allows the taxpayer to designate the order in which the goodwill is disposed of for the purposes of paragraph 13(34)(c). If the taxpayer designates the $50 goodwill to have been disposed of first, there is

(i) a $50 reduction of the undepreciated capital cost balance from that disposition (and the remaining goodwill now has a cost of $250); and

(ii) an additional $250 reduction of the undepreciated capital cost balance from the other disposition.  On this second disposition there is also a $200 capital gain, being the difference between the $450 proceeds and the $250 cost of the remaining goodwill property.

A similar result would occur if the taxpayer designated the $450 portion to have been disposed of first, except that there would be two capital gains: $150 for the first, and $50 for the second.

In either case, if the taxpayer continues to carry on the remaining business, the new cost of the goodwill property in respect of the remaining business would be nil.

Outlays not relating to property

ITA
13(35)

New subsection 13(35) of the Act deems a taxpayer to have acquired goodwill in respect of a business with a cost equal to the amount of certain capital expenditures incurred in respect of the business. The language in subsection 13(35) is based in principle on the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in former subsection 14(5). A main difference is that subsection 13(35) does not apply to expenditures to acquire property.

Property (for example, customer lists and licences, franchise rights and farm quotas of indefinite duration), the cost of which would previously have been treated as an eligible capital expenditure, is generally included in new Class 14.1 in Annex II to the Regulations. Goodwill that is acquired, i.e. when a business is acquired, is a property that is included in new Class 14.1.  This is distinguishable from the deemed acquisition of goodwill under subsection 13(35), which relates to capital expenditures that are not incurred to acquire an identifiable property. However, the cost of goodwill deemed acquired under subsection 13(35) is added to the cost of the single goodwill property of the business as a result of new subsection 13(34), and to the undepreciated capital cost of the class in respect of the business as a result of variable A of the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21).

Subject to paragraphs 13(35)(a) to (e), subsection 13(35) provides that if a taxpayer makes or incurs an outlay or expense, at any time on or after January 1, 2017, on account of capital for the purpose of gaining or producing income from a business carried on by the taxpayer, the taxpayer is deemed to acquire property at that time that is goodwill in respect of the business with a cost equal to the amount of the outlay or expense. (As with eligible capital expenditures, subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense that is made for the purpose of gaining or producing income from property.)

Paragraphs 13(35)(a) to (e) provide conditions that must be met in order for subsection 13(35) to apply to an outlay or expense.

Paragraph 13(35)(a) provides that subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense if any portion of the amount is the cost, or any part of the cost of property. In order for the cost of property to be added to the undepreciated capital cost of the new class, the property must be prescribed in Class 14.1.

Paragraph 13(35)(b) provides that subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense if any portion of the amount would be deductible in computing the taxpayer's income from the business if subsection 13(35) did not apply.

Paragraph 13(35)(c) provides that subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense if any portion of the amount is not deductible in computing the taxpayer's income from the business because of any provision of the Act (other than paragraph 18(1)(b)) or the Regulations. An outlay or expense that is made or incurred for the purpose of gaining or producing exempt income, for example, does not meet the condition in paragraph 13(35)(b) since the deduction of such an outlay or expense is specifically not deductible because of paragraph 18(1)(c).

Paragraph 13(35)(d) provides that subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense if any portion of the amount is paid or payable to a creditor of the taxpayer as, on account of or in lieu of payment of, any debt, or on account of the redemption, cancellation or purchase of any bond or debenture.

Paragraph 13(35)(e) provides that subsection 13(35) does not apply to an outlay or expense if any portion of the amount is, where the taxpayer is a corporation, partnership or trust, paid or payable to a person as a shareholder, partner or beneficiary, as the case may be, of the taxpayer.

Subsection 13(35) comes into force on January 1, 2017.

No addition to goodwill

ITA
13(35.1)

Paragraph 88(1)(c) of the Act provides that the cost to a parent corporation of each capital property distributed to it on the winding-up of its subsidiary is equal to the subsidiary's proceeds of disposition of the property plus, where the capital property is not an "ineligible property", an amount determined under paragraph 88(1)(d) in respect of the property (referred to as the "bump"). An ineligible property includes depreciable property.

New subsection 13(35.1) is introduced in order to clarify that in share purchase transactions, the amount of consideration for the shares cannot beallocated to goodwill, even if the purchased shares no longer exist at the time the payment is made. New subsection 13(35.1) provides that no amounts paid or payable may be included in new Class 14.1 if the amount is

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Receipts not relating to property

ITA
13(36)

Subsection 13(36) of the Act deems a taxpayer to dispose of goodwill for proceeds equal to the amount of certain capital amounts received in respect of a business. The language in subsection 13(36) is based in principle on variable E of the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5). A main difference is that subsection 13(36) does not generally apply to proceeds from the disposition of property.

Subsection 13(36) does not apply to proceeds of disposition of property that is goodwill from the sale of a business as a going concern. Goodwill is deemed to be property under amended subsection 248(1).  Proceeds from goodwill are subject to rules that apply generally to the disposition of depreciable property.

Goodwill is included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations. The deemed disposition of goodwill under subsection 13(36) can result in a decrease in the undepreciated capital cost of the class in respect of the business as a result of new subsection 13(34) and variable F of the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21).

Subject to paragraphs 13(36)(a) to (c), subsection 13(36) provides that if a taxpayer has or may become entitled to receive an amount on account of capital in respect of a business carried on or formerly carried on by the taxpayer (a "receipt"), the taxpayer is deemed to dispose of goodwill of the business for proceeds of disposition equal to the amount by which the amount the taxpayer has or may become entitled to receive exceeds all outlays or expenses that were not otherwise deductible in computing the taxpayer's income and were made or incurred by the taxpayer for the purpose of obtaining the amount.

Paragraphs 13(36)(a) to (c) provide conditions that must be met in order for subsection 13(36) to apply to a receipt.

Paragraph 13(36)(a) provides that subsection 13(36) does not apply to a receipt that is included in computing the taxpayer's income, or deducted in computing any balance of undeducted outlays, expenses or other amounts for the year or a preceding taxation year.

Paragraph 13(36)(b) provides that subsection 13(36) does not apply to a receipt that reduces the cost or capital cost of a property or the amount of an outlay or expense.

Paragraph 13(36)(c) provides that subsection 13(36) does not apply to a receipt that is included in computing any gain or loss of the taxpayer from a disposition of a capital property.

Subsection 13(36) comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Class 14.1 – transitional rules

ITA
13(37) to (40)

Overview

Subsections 13(37) to (40) of the Act provide transitional rules that apply consequential on the repeal of the ECP rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

Subsection 13(37) provides rules where a taxpayer incurs an eligible capital expenditure in respect of a business before January 1, 2017. Subsection 13(37) effectively transfers a taxpayer's existing cumulative eligible capital balance in respect of a business to the undepreciated capital cost balance of the new class in respect of the business.

Paragraphs 13(37)(a) to (c) generally provide that the undepreciated capital cost of the new class in respect of a business at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is equal to the amount that would have been the cumulative eligible capital (CEC) balance in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

For taxpayers with a taxation year that straddles January 1, 2017 (i.e., no taxation year ends immediately before January 1, 2017), paragraph 13(37)(d) also provides for an income inclusion where there would be an income inclusion under 14(1)(b) if the taxation year had ended immediately before January 1, 2017. This income inclusion can be deferred or offset in certain circumstances.

Subsection 13(38) provides that, where certain property that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is disposed of on or after January 1, 2017, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class is increased to prevent excess recapture as a result of the effective transfer of the CEC pools under subsection 13(37).

Subsection 13(39) prevents the use of subsection 13(38) to "step-up" the undepreciated capital cost of the new class by means of a non-arm's length transfer of property that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017. Subsection 13(39) provides that where such a property is acquired by a taxpayer from a person that does not deal at arm's length with the taxpayer, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class is decreased. Generally, subsection 13(39) applies to acquisitions of property, the cost of which is attributable to an amount in respect of which subsection 13(38) applied.

Subsection 13(40) provides that, for the purposes of subsections 13(37) to (39) and 40(13) to (16), the definitions "cumulative eligible capital", "eligible capital expenditure", "eligible capital property" and "exempt gains balance" have the same meanings that would be assigned to those expressions if the Act read as it did immediately before January 1, 2017.

ITA
13(37)(a)

Paragraph 13(37)(a) of the Act provides the total capital cost (at the beginning of January 1, 2017) of all property of a taxpayer included in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations in respect of the business, each of which was an eligible capital property of the taxpayer immediately before January 1, 2017 or is the goodwill property in respect of the business.

The total capital cost is important for determining the amount of gains or recapture but is not required to be calculated in order to determine the amount that may be deducted under 20(1)(a) since the undepreciated capital cost on January 1, 2017 will equal the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital on January 1, 2017.

At the beginning of January 1, 2017, the total capital cost is deemed to be equal to the formula 4/3(A + B – C). The formula is generally equal to the amount of receipts a taxpayer could have received under the ECP rules without resulting in an income inclusion under paragraph 14(1)(b).

Variable A is equal to the positive balance, if any, of the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The positive balance of a taxpayer's undepreciated capital cost on January 1, 2017 is equal to the positive balance of the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital on January 1, 2017.

Variable B is equal to the amount determined for F in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5) at the beginning of January 1, 2017. This amount is generally equal to the amount of deductions taken from the cumulative eligible capital pool that have not been recaptured.

Variable C is equal to the negative balance, if any, of the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The negative balance of a taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital is equal to the amount by which the total of all amounts determined, in respect of the business, for variables E or F in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5), exceeds the total of all amounts determined for variables A to D.1 in that definition in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017. This amount includes any adjustment required by subparagraph 13(37)(d)(i) as a result of a deemed gain or income inclusion under paragraph 13(37)(d). Variable C will generally only be positive if a taxation year of the taxpayer straddles January 1, 2017 (i.e., no taxation year ends immediately before January 1, 2017) and the taxpayer receives an eligible capital amount in the taxation year and before January 1, 2017. A negative cumulative eligible capital balance will become the negative undepreciated capital cost balance on January 1, 2017, the amount of which generally result in recapture under subsection 13(1) at the end of the taxation year unless amounts are added to the undepreciated capital cost of the class before the end of the year (e.g., the taxpayer acquires a property of the new class).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
13(37)(b)

Paragraph 13(37)(b) of the Act deems the capital cost of each property of the taxpayer that is included in the new class and that is goodwill in respect of the business or was an eligible capital property of the taxpayer immediately before January 1, 2017. The capital cost of these properties is relevant to the calculation of the recapture of depreciation and capital gain upon the disposition of property of the new class but is not required to be determined in order to calculate the amount that can be deducted under paragraph 20(1)(a) in respect of the class.

Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(i) provides that the taxpayer must designate the order in which the capital cost of each property that is not the goodwill property is determined, and that if the taxpayer does not designate an order, the Minister may designate the order.

Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) provides that the capital cost of a particular property in respect of a business (other than goodwill) is deemed to be the lesser of the eligible capital expenditure of the taxpayer in respect of the particular property and the amount by which the total capital cost of the class, as determined by paragraph 13(37)(a), exceeds the total of all amounts each of which is an amount deemed by subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) to be the capital cost of a property that is determined in advance of the determination of the capital cost of the particular property. This allows taxpayers to assign available capital cost to each property in the order designated under subparagraph 13(37)(b)(i).

Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(iii) deems the capital cost of the goodwill property in respect of the business to be the amount by which the total capital cost of the class exceeds the total of all amounts each of which is an amount deemed by subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) to be the capital cost of a property.  The capital cost of each property of the class (other than goodwill) in respect of the business must be determined under subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) before the capital cost of the goodwill property can be determined.

Although the determination of the total capital cost of the class under paragraph 13(37)(a) and the capital cost of a particular property under paragraph 13(37)(b) applies as of January 1, 2017, these determinations are generally not required to be calculated until property of the class is disposed of, because the total capital cost and individual capital costs are not required to be known in order to calculate the undepreciated capital cost of the new class (and likewise the amount that is allowed to be deducted under paragraph 20(1)(a)). This is because paragraph 13(37)(c) ensures that the undepreciated capital cost of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is equal to the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital balance in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Example 1 – Deemed Capital Cost

Before January 1, 2017

In a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, a taxpayer incurred an eligible capital expenditure of $100, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $75 (i.e., 3/4 x $100), to acquire a government licence of unlimited duration. In taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer deducted a total of $35 from cumulative eligible capital under paragraph 20(1)(b), resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $40.

On January 1, 2017

The government licence and goodwill are property included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

Paragraph 13(37)(a) provides that the total capital cost of property of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 that is goodwill or that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is 4/3 of the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital at the beginning of January 1, 2017; plus 4/3 of the amount of deductions taken that have not been recaptured; less 4/3 of any negative cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The total capital cost of the class is equal to $100 (i.e., 4/3($40+$35-$0)). Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) deems the capital cost of the government licence to be $100 and subparagraph 13(37)(b)(iii) deems the capital cost of the goodwill of the business to be nil.

Example 2 – Deemed Capital Cost

Before January 1, 2017

In a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, a taxpayer incurred an eligible capital expenditure of $100 to acquire a government licence of unlimited duration, an eligible capital expenditure of $150 to acquire a customer list and an eligible capital expenditure of $50 for incorporation expenses, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $225 (i.e., 3/4 x ($100+$150+$50)). In taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer deducted a total of $45 from cumulative eligible capital under paragraph 20(1)(b), resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $180 (i.e., $225 – $45). Also in a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer disposed of the customer list for $112, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $96 (i.e., $180 – 3/4($112)).

On January 1, 2017

The government licence and goodwill would be property included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations. The customer list and the incorporation expenses would not be property of the new class: the customer list was disposed of before January 1, 2017 and the incorporation expenses were not the cost of an acquisition of property.

Paragraph 13(37)(a) provides that the total capital cost of property of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 that is goodwill property or that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is 4/3 of the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital at the beginning of January 1, 2017; plus 4/3 of the amount of deductions taken that have not been recaptured; less 4/3 of any negative cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The total capital cost equals $188 (i.e., 4/3($96+$45-$0)). Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) deems the capital cost of the government licence to be $100 (i.e., the lesser of the total capital cost and the eligible capital expenditure to acquire the licence) and subparagraph 13(37)(b)(iii) deems the capital cost of the goodwill of the business to be $88 (i.e., $188-$100).

ITA
13(37)(c)

Paragraph 13(37)(c) of the Act ensures that the undepreciated capital cost of the new class in respect of a business at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is equal to the amount that would otherwise be the cumulative eligible capital in respect of the business at the beginning of January 1, 2017.  Paragraph 13(37)(c) also ensures that any negative cumulative eligible capital balance is reflected in the calculation of the undepreciated capital cost of the new class.

Paragraph 13(37)(c) deems an amount to have been allowed to the taxpayer in respect of the class under regulations made under paragraph 20(1)(a) in computing the taxpayer's income for taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, equal to the amount by which the total capital cost of the class (determined by the formula in paragraph 13(37)(a)) and the amount of any negative cumulative eligible capital balance (determined by variable C of the formula in paragraph 13(37)(a)) exceeds the positive cumulative eligible capital balance (determined by variable A of the formula in paragraph 13(37)(a)).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Example 3 – Undepreciated Capital Cost Balance

Before January 1, 2017

In a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, a taxpayer incurred an eligible capital expenditure of $100, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $75 (i.e., 3/4 x $100) to acquire a government licence of unlimited duration. In taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer deducted a total of $35 from cumulative eligible capital under paragraph 20(1)(b), resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $40.

On January 1, 2017

The government licence and goodwill are property included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

Paragraph 13(37)(a) provides that the total capital cost of property of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 that is goodwill or that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is 4/3 of the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital at the beginning of January 1, 2017; plus 4/3 of the amount of deductions taken that have not been recaptured; less 4/3 of any negative cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The total capital cost would equal $100 (i.e., 4/3($40+$35-$0)). As a result, the amount described by A in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) would be $100.

Paragraph 13(37)(c) would deem an amount to have been allowed to the taxpayer under paragraph 20(1)(a) for taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, equal to the amount by which total capital cost and any negative cumulative eligible capital balance exceed any positive cumulative eligible capital balance. In this example, this excess equals $60 (i.e., $100+$0-$40). This is, therefore, the amount determined by E in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21).

As a consequence, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is $40, which is equal to the amount that would be the CEC balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

ITA
13(37)(d)

If a taxation year of a taxpayer straddles January 1, 2017 (i.e., it does not end at the end of 2016), paragraph 13(37)(d) of the Act deems the taxpayer to have for that year a capital gain (or, where a taxpayer elects under subparagraph 13(37)(d)(iii), an income inclusion in respect of a business) if the taxpayer would have had an income inclusion under paragraph 14(1)(b) if the taxpayer's taxation year had ended immediately before January 1, 2017. This paragraph is intended to ensure that the rules applying to eligible capital property apply to dispositions before January 1, 2017.

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(i) provides that, for the purposes of the formula in paragraph 13(37)(a), the cumulative eligible capital in respect of a business is increased by 3/2 of the amount that would be included in income under 14(1)(b). This subparagraph effectively reduces the negative cumulative eligible capital balance to account for any taxable capital gain or income inclusion under subparagraphs 13(37)(d)(ii) or (iii).

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(ii) provides that the taxpayer is deemed to dispose of a capital property in respect of the business immediately before January 1, 2017 for proceeds of disposition equal to twice the amount that would be the income inclusion under 14(1)(b) resulting in a taxable capital gain equal to the amount that would be the income inclusion under 14(1)(b).

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(iii) allows a taxpayer to elect that, instead of subparagraph (ii) applying, an amount is to be included in computing the taxpayer's income from the business for the particular year equal to the amount that would be the income inclusion under paragraph 14(1)(b).

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(iv) allows a taxpayer to elect to defer the taxable capital gain or income inclusion under subparagraph 13(37)(d)(ii) or (iii) if, on or after January 1, 2017 and in the taxation year that includes January 1, 2017, the taxpayer acquires a property included in the class in respect of the business or is deemed by subsection 13(35) to acquire goodwill in respect of the business. Where a taxpayer makes this election, the taxable capital gain (or income inclusion) is reduced by the lesser of the amount of the taxable capital gain (or the income inclusion) and 1/2 of the capital cost of the property or goodwill acquired. To account for the reduction in the taxable capital gain or income inclusion, the capital cost of the property or goodwill acquired is decreased by twice the amount of the reduction.

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(v) deems the capital gain under subparagraph 13(37)(d)(ii) to be attributable to the disposition of a qualified farm or fishing property to the extent that the income inclusion that would have occurred under paragraph 14(1)(b) is attributable to the disposition of a qualified farm or fishing property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Example – Deemed Gain - Taxation year not ending immediately before January 1, 2017

Before January 1, 2017

In a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, a taxpayer incurred an eligible capital expenditure of $100, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $75 (i.e., 3/4 x $100) to acquire a government licence of unlimited duration. In taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer deducted a total of $35 from cumulative eligible capital under paragraph 20(1)(b), resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $40.

The taxation year of the taxpayer that includes December 31, 2016 does not end on that day, and the taxpayer disposes of the government licence in that taxation year and before January 1, 2017 for $300.

Variable E of the definition cumulative eligible capital in former subsection 14(1) reduces the cumulative eligible capital of taxpayer by 3/4 of the proceeds of disposition, which equals $225 (i.e., 3/4 x $300).  This results in a negative cumulative eligible capital balance of -$185 (i.e., $40-$225).

Immediately before January 1, 2017

Subparagraph 13(37)(d)(ii) deems the taxpayer to have a capital gain immediately before January 1, 2017 equal to the amount that would be included in income under 14(1)(b) if the taxation year ended immediately before January 1, 2017 (unless the taxpayer elects under subparagraph 13(37)(e)(iii) to have an income inclusion from business rather than a capital gain). The taxpayer therefore has a deemed capital gain equal to 4/3 of the amount by which the negative cumulative eligible capital balance exceeds the amount of deductions for depreciation that have been taken and not recaptured.  This capital gain is $200 (i.e., 4/3($185-$35)).

On January 1, 2017

The government licence is not included in new Class 14.1, since it was disposed of before January 1, 2017.

Subparagraph 13(37)(a) provides that the total capital cost of property of the class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is 4/3 of the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital at the beginning of January 1, 2017; plus 4/3 of the amount of deductions taken that have not been recaptured; less 4/3 of any negative CEC balance. The total capital cost in this example is therefore nil (i.e., 4/3($0+$35-$35)). As a result, the amount described by A in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) is nil andsubparagraph 13(37)(b)(iii) deems the capital cost of the goodwill of the business to be nil.

Paragraph 13(37)(c) deems an amount to have been allowed to the taxpayer under paragraph 20(1)(a) for taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, equal to the amount by which total capital cost and any negative cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017 exceeds any positive cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017. This amount equals $35 (i.e., $0+$35-$0). As a result, the amount determined by E in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) would be $35.

As a consequence, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class is negative, negative $35, at the beginning of January 1, 2017, which is equal to the amount that would be the negative cumulative eligible capital balance on January 1, 2017.

The negative undepreciated capital cost balance is included in income as recaptured capital cost allowance under subsection 13(1) at the end of the taxation year unless the undepreciated capital cost balance of the class is increased before the end of the year (e.g., by the acquisition of another property of the class).

Class 14.1 – transitional rule

ITA
13(38)

Consequential on the repeal of the ECP rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property, expenditures that would previously increase the cumulative eligible capital of a taxpayer in respect of a business at a 75% rate will, subject to subsection 13(39) of the Act, now increase the undepreciated capital cost of the new class at a 100% rate. Receipts that would previously reduce the cumulative eligible capital of a taxpayer in respect of a business at a 75% rate will, subject to subsection 13(38), now reduce the undepreciated capital cost fully.

Subsection 13(38) increases the undepreciated capital cost of new Class 14.1 to the extent necessary to prevent excess recapture when a taxpayer disposes of certain property included in the class. Subsection 13(38) is intended to ensure that a receipt from the disposition of property the cost of which was included in cumulative eligible capital or undepreciated capital cost at a 75% rate does not reduce the undepreciated capital cost at a 100% rate.

To increase the undepreciated capital cost of the class, subsection 13(38) deems a taxpayer to have acquired a depreciable property of the class with a capital cost equal to the least of three amounts: the first two of these are 1/4 of the proceeds of disposition of the property that is disposed of and 1/4 of the capital cost of that property. The third amount is determined under paragraphs 13(38)(a) to (e).

Paragraphs 13(38)(a) to (d) describe four types of property. Paragraph 13(38)(e) is "nil", and applies if the property disposed of is not described in any of paragraphs 13(38)(a) to (d). In effect, if the property disposed of is not described in any of paragraphs 13(38)(a) to (d), then subsection 13(38) does not apply to decrease the reduction (by the proceeds of disposition) of the undepreciated capital cost of the class.

Subsection 13(38) also does not apply if one of the following rollover provisions applies in respect of the disposition: subsection 24(2), 70(5.1), 73(3.1), 85(1), 88(1), 98(3) or (5), 107(2) or 107.4(3).

Paragraph 13(38)(a), which applies to property (other than goodwill) that is acquired before January 1, 2017, provides that the capital cost of the property deemed to be acquired under subsection 13(38) is limited to 1/4 of the capital cost of the property that is disposed of.

Paragraph 13(38)(b) applies to a disposition of property if:

If paragraph 13(38)(b) applies, the capital cost of the property deemed to be acquired under subsection 13(38) is limited to the amount that subsection 13(39) deemed to have been allowed to a person under paragraph 20(1)(a) in respect of the taxpayer's acquisition of the property.

Paragraph 13(38)(c) applies to a disposition of property if:

If paragraph 13(38)(c) applies, the capital cost of the property deemed to have been acquired under subsection 13(38) is limited to the amount of the capital cost of the property that would have been deemed under subsection 13(38) to have been acquired by the person or partnership.

Paragraph 13(38)(d) applies to a disposition of goodwill and applies in a manner similar to paragraphs 13(38)(a) to (c). That is, the capital cost of the property deemed to have been acquired under subsection 13(38) is limited to the amount by which the total of

exceeds

The interaction of subsections 13(38) and (39) is generally as follows:

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Example – Disposition of former ECP after January 1, 2017

Before January 1, 2017

In a taxation year ending before January 1, 2017, a taxpayer incurred an eligible capital expenditure of $100, resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $75 (i.e., 3/4 x $100) to acquire a government licence of unlimited duration. In taxation years ending before January 1, 2017, the taxpayer deducted a total of $35 from cumulative eligible capital under paragraph 20(1)(b), resulting in a cumulative eligible capital balance of $40.

On January 1, 2017

The government licence is included in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

Paragraph 13(37)(a) provides that the total capital cost of property of the new class on January 1, 2017 that is goodwill or that was eligible capital property before January 1, 2017 is 4/3 of the amount that would be the cumulative eligible capital at the beginning of January 1, 2017; plus 4/3 of the amount of deductions taken that have not been recaptured; less 4/3 of any negative cumulative eligible capital balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017. The total capital cost in this example equals $100 (i.e., 4/3($40+$35-$0)). As a result, the amount described by A in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) is $100. Subparagraph 13(37)(b)(ii) deems the capital cost of the government licence to be $100 and subparagraph 13(37)(b)(iii) deems the capital cost of the goodwill of the business to be nil.

Paragraph 13(37)(c) deems an amount to have been allowed to the taxpayer under paragraph 20(1)(a) for taxation years ending before January 1, 2017.  This amount equals the amount by which total capital cost and any negative cumulative eligible capital balance exceed any positive cumulative eligible capital balance, or $60 (i.e., $100+$0-$40). As a result, the amount determined by E in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) is $60.

As a consequence, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 is $40, which is equal to the amount that would be the CEC balance at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

After January 1, 2017

If the government licence is disposed of after January 1, 2017 for proceeds of disposition of $300, the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of the property exceeds the capital cost of the property results in a capital gain. In this case the taxpayer would have a $200 capital gain ($300-$100), resulting in a taxable capital gain of $100.

The undepreciated capital cost of the class would be reduced by the lesser of the capital cost and the proceeds of disposition, in this case $100, which would reduce the undepreciated capital cost from $40 to negative $60.

Since the government licence was acquired by the taxpayer before January 1, 2017, paragraph 13(38)(a) would deem a property to have been acquired by the taxpayer with a capital cost equal to $25 (i.e., 1/4 of the lesser of the capital cost of the government licence and the proceeds of disposition), resulting in an increase in the amount determined for A in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21).

As a consequence, the undepreciated capital cost of the new class after the disposition of the government licence would be negative $35 (i.e., -$60+$25).

The negative undepreciated capital cost balance will be included in income as recapture under subsection 13(1) at the end of the taxation year, unless the undepreciated capital cost balance of the class is increased before the end of the year (e.g., the taxpayer increases the undepreciated capital cost by acquiring another property of the class).

Class 14.1 – transitional rule

ITA
13(39)

Subsection 13(39) of the Act decreases the undepreciated capital cost of the class in certain circumstances where a taxpayer acquires property included in new Class 14.1. Although subsection 13(38) increases the undepreciated capital cost balance of the new class by, generally, 25% of the proceeds of disposition of property that was ECP before January 1, 2017, new subsection 13(39) is intended to prevent taxpayers from increasing the depreciable base of a property through the use of a non-arm's length transfer of depreciable property that was an eligible capital property.

Paragraph 13(39) applies to an acquisition of property if:

Where subsection 13(39) applies to an acquisition, an amount is deemed to have been allowed to the taxpayer in respect of the property under regulations made under paragraph 20(1)(a) in computing the taxpayer's income for taxation years ending before the acquisition of the property, generally equal to 1/4 of the capital cost of the property.  (However, this amount will not exceed the amount, if any, deemed by subsection 13(38) to be an addition to the undepreciated capital cost of the non-arm's length vendor of the property.)

To prevent excess recapture when the property is disposed of by the taxpayer, paragraph 13(38)(b) provides that where a taxpayer disposes of a property to which subsection 13(39) applied, the taxpayer is deemed to have acquired a depreciable property, at the time the taxpayer disposes of the property, equal to the lesser of the amount deemed by subsection 13(39) to have been allowed in respect of the acquisition of the property and 1/4 of the lesser of the proceeds of disposition of the property and the capital cost of the property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Example – Acquisition of former ECP from a non-arm's length person

After January 1, 2017

A taxpayer acquires a government licence of unlimited duration from a non-arm's length person at a cost of $100. The government licence was an eligible capital property of the person and when the person disposed of the property to the taxpayer, the person was deemed by subsection 13(38) to have acquired a property with a cost of $25, which increased the undepreciated capital cost balance of the person by $25.

When the taxpayer acquires the government licence, the government licence is included in new Class 14.1 and the amount described by A in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection 13(21) in respect of the business of the taxpayer is increased, in this example by $100 (the capital cost of the licence).

Subsection 13(39) applies to deem the taxpayer to have been allowed $25 under 20(1)(a) in previous taxation years, which reduces the taxpayer's undepreciated capital cost by $25, to $75, as a result of variable E of the definition "undepreciated capital cost".

However, when the taxpayer eventually disposes of the property, paragraph 13(38)(b) may apply to effectively increase the undepreciated capital cost of the taxpayer.

Class 14.1 – transitional rule

ITA
13(40)

Subsection 13(40) of the Act provides that, for the purposes of subsections 13(37) to (39), paragraph 20(1)(hh.1), subsections 40(13) to (16) and paragraph 79(4)(b), the definitions "cumulative eligible capital", "eligible capital expenditure", "eligible capital property" and "exempt gains balance" have the same meanings that would be assigned to those expressions if the Act read as it did immediately before January 1, 2017. This is intended to ensure that in determining the meaning of those terms, the Act is to be read as if the ECP rules were not repealed.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Non-Arm's length transfers

ITA
13(41)

Subsection 13(41) of the Act provides rules consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules where a taxpayer owns property included in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations in respect of a business at the beginning of January 1, 2017, that was an eligible capital property in respect of the business immediately before January 1, 2017.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Class 14.1 – transitional rule

ITA
13(41)(a)

Paragraph 13(41)(a) of the Act provides a special rule where the taxpayer's cost was reduced as a result of variable A in the formula in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5) in respect of a property and the property has not been disposed of.

The formula in variable A in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) generally provided for a reduction in the amount otherwise included in cumulative eligible capital in respect of an eligible expenditure, generally equal to 1/2 of the gain under paragraph 14(1)(b) or 38(a) of a non-arm's length transferor in respect of the property. (Where the transferor has claimed a capital gains exemption in respect of the transfer under subsection 110.6, subsection 14(3) reduced the taxpayer's eligible capital expenditure accordingly. The reduction in Variable A therefore did not include 1/2 of the amount of that claim.) Where the transferor has realized such a gain in a taxation year in respect of more than one property, the amount of the gain of the transferor for the purposes of this calculation is that proportion of the gain that the proceeds of disposition of the eligible capital property acquired by the taxpayer is of the total proceeds of disposition of all such property disposed of in the transferor's taxation year. This reduction is intended to ensure that the taxpayer's pool includes only the taxable portion of the gain realized by the non-arm's length transferor of eligible capital property. The reduction only applies to the period of time before the taxpayer disposes of the property.

To account for properties in respect of which a reduction applies, paragraph 13(41)(a) provides that for the purposes of the Act, other than sections 13 and 20 and any regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 20(1)(a), the taxpayer's capital cost of the property is deemed to be increased by 4/3 of the amount of the reduction by the formula in variable A in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5).

A reduction in respect of depreciable property, that is similar to the reduction variable A in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5), is provided by paragraph 13(7)(e).

ITA
13(41)(b)

Paragraph 13(41)(b) of the Act provides that, for the purposes of sections 13 and 20 and any regulations made for the purpose of paragraph 20(1)(a), where the taxpayer was deemed by subsection 14(12) to continue to own eligible capital property in respect of a business and not to have ceased to carry on the business until a time that is after 2016, the taxpayer is deemed to continue to own the property and to continue to carry on the business until the time that is immediately before the first time one of the events described by paragraphs 14(12)(c) to (g) would occur (as the Act read immediately before 2017 and if the reference to "eligible capital property" in paragraph 14(12)(d) were a reference to "eligible capital property or capital property").

As a result, a terminal loss that was deferred by 14(12) will be deferred by subsection 13(21.2).

ITA
13(41)(c)

Paragraph 13(41)(c) of the Act provides that, for the purposes of the descriptions of D.1 and K in the definition "undepreciated capital cost" in subsection (21), a taxpayer is deemed not to have paid or received any amounts before 2017 as or on account of an existing or proposed countervailing or anti-dumping duty in respect of depreciable property of the class.

ITA
13(41)(d)

Paragraph 13(41)(d) of the Act provides that subsection 13(7.1) does not apply to assistance that a taxpayer received or is entitled before 2017 in respect of a property that was an eligible capital property immediately before 2017.

Subsections 14(10) and (11) provide that government assistance for eligible capital property, or a repayment of such assistance, results in a decrease or increase, as the case may be, in the eligible capital expenditure in respect of that property. Subsections 13(7.1) and (7.2) provide similar rules in respect of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 23

Eligible capital property rules

ITA
14

The eligible capital property (ECP) rules in section 14 of the Act govern the tax treatment of certain expenditures (certain outlays and expenses described in the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in subsection 14(5)) and receipts (amounts described by E in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5)) that are not otherwise accounted for as business revenues or expenses, or under the rules relating to capital property.

Eligible capital property includes goodwill, customer lists and licences, franchise rights and farm quotas of indefinite duration. The cost of eligible capital property is recognized, for income tax purposes, in a pool system similar to the capital cost allowance (CCA) system for depreciable property. Unlike for CCA, however, only 3/4 of the cost is added to the pool, and only 3/4 of the proceeds of disposition of eligible capital properties is credited against the pool. A deduction from the cumulative eligible capital pool is allowed under paragraph 20(1)(b) at a 7% rate on a declining balance basis. A negative balance at the end of a taxation year results in an income inclusion for the year under subsection 14(1), which may be comprised of a portion analogous to recaptured CCA deductions under paragraph 14(1)(a) and a portion analogous to a taxable capital gain under 14(1)(b).

The ECP rules are repealed and replaced by new Class 14.1 of depreciable property under the capital cost allowance (CCA) regulations. As a consequence, property that was ECP is capital property and expenditures and receipts that were accounted for under the ECP rules are accounted for under the rules for depreciable property and capital property.

Section 14 is repealed as of January 1, 2017.

Clause 24

Payments for shares

ITA
18(1)(y)

New paragraph 18(1)(y) of the Act provides that an amount referred to in subsection 13(35.1) cannot be deducted as a business expense. These are amounts paid or payable as consideration for the purchase of shares or in consideration for the cancellation of an obligation for payment for the purchase of shares.

This amendment applies in respect of expenses incurred after 2016.

Clause 25

Deductions

ITA
20

Section 20 of the Act provides rules relating to the deductibility of certain outlays, expenses and other amounts in computing a taxpayer's income for a taxation year from business or property.

Allowance from cumulative eligible capital

ITA
20(1)(b)

Paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Act provides a deduction in calculating a taxpayer's income from a business of up to 7 per cent of the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital property pool at the end of the year.

Paragraph 20(1)(a) of the Act and Parts XI and XVII and Schedules II to VI to the Regulations provide similar rules in respect of depreciable property. Paragraph 20(1)(a) provides for the deduction of such an amount in respect of the capital cost to the taxpayer of property, if any, as is allowed by regulation. As a result of the creation of new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations, property that was eligible capital property under the eligible capital property rules will be depreciable property of the new class. New subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1) of the Regulations provides that deductions in respect of property in Class 14.1 are allowed at a 5% rate. As well, for taxation years that end before 2027, new paragraph 1100(1)(c.1) generally allows an additional 2% deduction in respect of that portion of the undepreciated capital cost of the class that relates to expenditures incurred before January 1, 2017.

Paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Act is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This repeal comes into force on January 1, 2017.

New paragraph 20(1)(b) provides rules allowing the deduction of incorporation expenses of up to $3,000 per corporation. Incorporation expenses in excess of $3,000 will be included in new class 14.1.

New paragraph 20(1)(b) applies to incorporation expenses incurred after 2016.

Repayment of obligation

ITA
20(1)(hh.1)

Paragraph 20(1)(hh.1) of the Act allows a deduction for the repayment of assistance received by a taxpayer in respect of eligible capital property related to a business carried on by the taxpayer. The deduction (equal to 3/4 of the amount so repaid) applies only where the taxpayer ceases to carry on the business prior to repayment.

Under the eligible capital property rules, amounts of assistance that are repaid while a business is still ongoing are added to the eligible capital expenditures of that business under paragraph 14(10)(b). Paragraph 20(1)(hh.1) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to reflect the fact that subsection 14(10) is repealed. Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, such repayments of assistance are dealt with under new subsection 13(7.41).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Former eligible capital property

ITA
20(4.2) and (4.3)

Subsection 20(4.2) of the Act provides a deduction in computing income of a taxpayer for a bad debt on account of proceeds of disposition of eligible capital property. The deduction is reduced to the extent that the taxpayer has sheltered an income inclusion in respect of eligible capital property using the capital gains exemption in section 110.6 or the taxpayer's exempt gains balance.

Subsection 20(4.3) provides that where a taxpayer's deduction under subsection 20(4.2) is reduced to recognize the taxpayer's use of a capital gains deduction to offset an income inclusion under subsection 14(1), the taxpayer is deemed to have an allowable capital loss. The allowable capital loss, in effect, restores the capital gains deduction that was used up in sheltering a gain on what turned out to be a bad debt.

Subsection 20(4) generally provides a deduction in computing income of a taxpayer where it is established that an amount owing to the taxpayer as or on account of proceeds of disposition of depreciable property has become a bad debt in the taxation year. The deduction is equal to the lesser of the amount owing to the taxpayer and the amount, if any, by which the capital cost to the taxpayer exceeds the amount realized on account of the proceeds of disposition.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, subsections 20(4.2) and (4.3) are replaced with new subsection 20(4.2), which provides that, in respect of dispositions to which new subsection 13(38) applies, the amount otherwise deductible under subsection 20(4) is reduced by ¼.

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after 2016.

Non-application of subsection (16)

ITA
20(16.1)

Subsection 24(1) of the Act provides a deduction, in computing the income of a taxpayer for the year in which the taxpayer ceased to carry on a business, in respect of the residual cumulative eligible capital of the taxpayer in respect of the business.

Subsection 20(16) provides a similar deduction in respect of a class of depreciable property at the end of the year in which the taxpayer no longer owns any property of the class.

Subsection 20(16.1) provides that subsection 20(16) does not apply in certain circumstances.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1, new paragraph 20(16.1)(c) provides that the deduction under subsection 20(16) does not apply in respect of Class 14.1 unless the taxpayer has ceased to carry on the business to which the class relates.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 26

Ceasing to carry on business

ITA
24

Section 24 of the Act provides rules relating to eligible capital property when an individual ceases to carry on a business.

ITA
24(1)

Subsection 24(1) of the Act provides a deduction, in computing the income of a taxpayer for the year in which the taxpayer ceased to carry on a business, in respect of the residual cumulative eligible capital of the taxpayer in respect of the business.

Subsection 20(16) provides a similar deduction in respect of a class of depreciable property at the end of the year in which the taxpayer no longer owns any property of the class.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1, subsection 24(1) is repealed.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Business carried on by spouse or common-law partner or controlled corporation

ITA
24(2)

Subsection 24(2) of the Act provides a rollover of the cumulative eligible capital of a business of an individual who ceases to carry on the business in circumstances where all of the eligible capital property in respect of the business is acquired by the individual's spouse or common-law partner or by a corporation controlled by the individual who carries on the business after the acquisition.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1, subsection 24(2) is amended to provide a rollover of property included in new Class 14.1 in respect of a business of an individual who ceases to carry on the business in circumstances where all such property in respect of the business is acquired by the individual's spouse or common-law partner or by a corporation controlled by the individual who carries on the business after the acquisition.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Where partnership has ceased to exist

ITA
24(3)

Subsection 24(3) of the Act provides that, where a partnership has been dissolved in circumstances where neither subsection 98(3) nor 98(5) applies, each former member of the partnership may deduct an amount equal to that former member's proportion of the amount that would be deductible under subsection 24(1) by the partnership had the partnership not ceased to exist.

Subsection 24(3) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of subsection 24(1).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 27

Dispositions in the extended fiscal period

ITA
25(3)

Section 25 of the Act provides that, where an individual who is a resident of Canada disposes of a business carried on as a sole proprietorship, the individual may elect to extend the fiscal year-end of the business to the date on which it would have ended if the business had not been disposed of. Subsection 25(3) provides that any recapture of capital cost allowance, or any terminal loss, and any income arising from the disposal of eligible capital property after the individual ceases to carry on the business, will be included as income of the business for that extended fiscal period.

Paragraph 25(3)(b) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1. Subsection 25(3) is further reorganized to move the text in paragraph (a) to the body of subsection (3).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 28

Farming or fishing business

ITA
28

Section 28 of the Act provides rules concerning the computation of income for a taxpayer who uses the cash-basis method of accounting for income tax purposes in respect of a farming or fishing business.

ITA
28(1)(d)

Paragraph 28(1)(d) of the Act adds to a taxpayer's income the total of all amount included in income under subsection 14(1) as well as other amounts. Paragraph 28(1)(d) is amended to remove the reference to subsection 14(1), consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
28(1)(g)

Paragraph 28(1)(g) of the Act subtracts from a taxpayer's income the total of all amounts deducted from income under paragraph 20(1)(b) and subsection 24(1) as well as other amounts. Paragraph 28(1)(g) is amended to remove the references to paragraph 20(1)(b) and subsection 24(1), consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 29

Meaning of capital gain and capital loss

ITA
39

Section 39 of the Act sets out the meanings of capital gain, capital loss and business investment loss.

ITA
39(1)(a)(i)

Subparagraph 39(1)(a)(i) of the Act provides that no capital gain arises on the disposition of eligible capital property. This subparagraph is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 30

Reduction of capital gain

ITA
39.1(2)

Subsection 39.1(2) of the Act allows an individual with an exempt capital gains balance in respect of a flow through entity to claim a reduction in the capital gain otherwise determined for a taxation year from a subsequent disposition of an interest in, or share of, the capital stock of the flow-through entity. The reduction is limited to the individual's exempt capital gains balance for the year in respect of the entity.

Subparagraph (b)(ii) of the description of B in subsection 39.1(2) of the Act relates to amounts claimed under subsection 39.1(5). Subparagraph (b)(ii) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the repeal of subsection 39.1(5). Paragraph (b) is further reorganized to move the text in subparagraph (i) to the body of paragraph (b).

This amendment applies in respect of taxation years that begin after 2016.

Reduction in a share of partnership income from a business

ITA
39.1(5)

Subsection 39.1(5) of the Act allows an individual who is a member of a partnership to shelter, with his or her exempt capital gains balance in respect of the partnership, that part of his or her share of the partnership's income from a business that is attributable to an amount included under paragraph 14(1)(b) in computing the partnership's income from the business, which relates to eligible capital property.

Subsection 39.1(5) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This repeal applies in respect of taxation years that begin after 2016.

Clause 31

Capital gain and capital loss

Section 40 provides rules for determining a taxpayer's gain or loss from the disposition of capital property.

Class 14.1 — transitional rules

ITA
40(13) and (14)

Subsection 40(14) of the Act reduces the capital gain of a taxpayer from the disposition of a property included in Class 14.1 in certain circumstances. This reduction is related to the 1988 conversion of the cumulative eligible capital pool from a 1/2 to a 3/4 inclusion rate. Variable C of the formula in paragraph 14(1)(b) – which is to be repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules – provides for a similar reduction.

Subsection 40(13) provides that subsection 40(14) applies in respect of a disposition by a taxpayer of a property included in new Class 14.1 if

(a) the property was an eligible capital property of the taxpayer immediately before January 1, 2017,

(b) the amount determined for Q in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5) immediately before January 1, 2017 is greater than nil,

(c) the amount determined for B in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in former subsection 14(5) immediately before January 1, 2017 is nil, and

(d) no amount is included in the taxpayer's income for a taxation year because of paragraph 13(37)(d).

Where subsection 40(14) applies in respect of a disposition, a taxpayer's capital gain from the disposition is reduced by such amount as the taxpayer claims, not exceeding 2/3 of the amount determined for Q in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) in respect of the business immediately before January 1, 2017. The cumulative amount claimed under 40(14) in respect of all dispositions of a taxpayer in respect of a business therefore cannot exceed 2/3 of the amount determined for Q in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) in respect of the business immediately before January 1, 2017.

Subsections 40(13) and (14) come into force on January 1, 2017.

Example

Before 1988, a taxpayer

In 1988 the CEC is increased by 50% (resulting in CEC of $57).

After 1988 the taxpayer deducts $18 (resulting in CEC of $39).

The taxpayer disposes of the business with $300 of the proceeds of disposition allocated to goodwill.

Current Rules

Under the current rules, 3/4 of the proceeds would reduce CEC (resulting in CEC of negative $186).

At the end of the taxation year, paragraph 14(1)(a) requires $30 (the lesser of $186 and $30) to be included in income as recapture and paragraph 14(1)(b) requires $100 (2/3 x ($186-$30-$6)) to be included in income.

Proposed Rules

The goodwill of the business would be deemed to have a capital cost of $92 (4/3 x $39+4/3 x $30) by new subsection 13(37).

The UCC of the business would be $39 (equal to CEC). The proceeds would reduce the UCC to negative 30 ($39-3/4($92)), resulting in an income inclusion under subsection 13(1) of $30.

There would also be a capital gain of $208 ($300-$92), which new subsection 40(14) would reduce by $8, resulting in a taxable capital gain of $100.

Class 14.1 — transitional rules

ITA
40(15) and (16)

Subsection 40(16) of the Act reduces the capital gain of a taxpayer from the disposition of a property included in Class 14.1 in certain circumstances. This reduction is related to the 1994 elimination of the $100,000 lifetime capital gains exemption. Variable D of the formula in paragraph 14(1)(b) – which is to be repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules – provides for a similar reduction.

Subsection 40(15) provides that subsection 40(16) applies in respect of a disposition by an individual of a property included in new Class 14.1 if

(a) the property was an eligible capital property of the taxpayer immediately before January 1, 2017, and

(b) the individual's exempt gains balance in respect of the business is greater than nil for the taxation year that includes January 1, 2017.

Where subsection 40(16) applies in respect of a disposition, the individual's capital gain from the disposition is reduced by such amount as the taxpayer claims, not exceeding twice the amount of the individual's exempt gains balance in respect of the business for the taxation year that includes January 1, 2017. The cumulative amount of reductions under 40(16) in respect of all dispositions of an individual in respect of a business therefore cannot exceed twice the amount of the individual's exempt gains balance in respect of the business for the taxation year that includes January 1, 2017. As well, the cumulative amount of reductions is reduced by the amount determined for D in paragraph 14(1)(b) for the purposes of paragraph 13(37)(d) if paragraph 13(37)(d) applied in respect of the business for the individual's taxation year that includes January 1, 2017.

Subsections 40(15) and (16) come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 32

Capital gain - definitions

ITA
54

Section 54 of the Act provides definitions for the purposes of the rules for the calculation of taxable capital gains and allowable capital losses.

"eligible capital property"

The definition "eligible capital property" in section 54 is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14. The definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 248(1) is also repealed.

This repeal comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 33

Restrictive covenant

ITA
56.4

Section 56.4 of the Act sets out rules with respect to amounts that are received or receivable in respect of a restrictive covenant.

Definitions

ITA
56.4(1)

Subsection 56.4(1) of the Act provides definitions that are relevant for the purpose of computing the amount, if any, that a taxpayer is required to include in income, or in proceeds of disposition in respect of certain capital property, in respect of amounts received or receivable for a restrictive covenant.

"goodwill amount"

"Goodwill amount", of a taxpayer, is an amount that the taxpayer has or may become entitled to receive that is required by the description of E in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) to be included in computing the cumulative eligible capital of a business carried on through a permanent establishment located in Canada. This definition is relevant for the purpose of applying subsection 56.4(7).

The definition "goodwill amount" is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to provide that the goodwill amount of a taxpayer is an amount the taxpayer has or may become entitled to receive that would, if this Act were read without reference to section 56.4, be required to be included in the proceeds of disposition of property included in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations, or is an amount to which subsection 13(37) applies, in respect of a business carried on by the taxpayer through a permanent establishment located in Canada.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Non-application of subsection (2)

ITA
56.4(3)(b)

Subsection 56.4(3) of the Act provides three exceptions to the income inclusion rule in subsection 56.4(2)

Paragraph 56.4(3)(b) provides that subsection 56.4(2) does not generally apply to an amount that would, if the Act were read without reference to section 56.4, be required by the description of E in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) to be included in computing the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital in respect of the business to which the restrictive covenant relates.

Paragraph 56.4(3)(b) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to provide that subsection 56.4(2) does not generally apply to an amount that would, if the Act were read without reference to section 56.4, be required to be included in the proceeds of disposition of property included in Class 14.1, or is an amount to which subsection 13(37) applies, in respect of the business to which the restrictive covenant relates.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Treatment of purchaser

ITA
56.4(4)(b)

Subsection 56.4(4) of the Act provides rules that apply to an amount paid or payable by a purchaser of a restrictive covenant in certain circumstances.

Paragraph 56.4(4)(b) provides that if an election has been made under paragraph 56.4(3)(b) in respect of the amount, the amount is to be considered to be an outlay incurred by the purchaser on account of capital for the purpose of applying the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in subsection 14(5) and not to be an amount paid or payable for all other purposes of the Act.

Paragraph 56.4(4)(b) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to no longer apply in respect of eligible capital expenditures and instead to provide that if an election has been made under paragraph 56.4(3)(b) in respect of the amount, the amount is to be considered to be an outlay incurred by the purchaser on account of capital for the purpose of determining the cost of the property or for the purposes of subsection 13(35), as the case may be, and not to be an amount paid or payable for all other purposes of the Act.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 34

Idem

ITA
69(5)(d)

Section 69 of the Act provides a series of rules dealing primarily with transactions between non-arm's length persons or between persons on non-arm's length terms. Subsection 69(5) provides rules on the winding-up of a corporation where property of the corporation has been appropriated to the benefit of a shareholder.

Paragraph 69(5)(d) provides that subsections 13(21.2), 14(12), 18(15) and 40(3.4) and (3.6) do not apply in respect of any property subject to a deemed disposition by the corporation on the winding up.

Paragraph 69(5)(d) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to remove the reference to subsection 14(12).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 35

Death of a taxpayer

ITA
70

Section 70 of the Act provides rules relating to the transfer or distribution of property at the time of the death of a taxpayer.

Exception

ITA
70(3.1)

Subsection 70(2) of the Act requires the value of certain rights or things to be included in computing the income of a taxpayer in the year in which the taxpayer died. Subsection 70(3.1) provides a list of exclusions from the term "rights or things" for the purposes of section 70. Subsection 70(3.1) provides that "rights or things" do not include eligible capital property.

Subsection 70(3.1) is amended to remove the reference to eligible capital property consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property in Schedule II to the Regulations. Subsection 70(2) provides that "rights or things" do not include capital property, including depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Transfer or distribution – Class 14.1

ITA
70(5.1)

Subsection 70(5.1) of the Act provides rules with respect to the transfer of eligible capital property on the death of a taxpayer to a beneficiary. The beneficiary is generally deemed to have acquired an eligible capital property at 4/3 of the cumulative eligible capital of the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital of the deceased prorated using the fair market values of all eligible capital properties.

Subsection 70(5.1) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

Subsections 70(5) and 70(6) provide rules similar to the rules in subsection 70(5.1) that generally provide that a capital property, including a depreciable property, is deemed to be disposed on death for proceeds of disposition equal to the fair market value unless the property is transferred to a spouse or common law partner.

Amended subsection 70(5.1) provides for tax deferral similar to the tax deferral provided by subsection 70(6) where property included in Class 14.1 is transferred to a beneficiary on the death of a taxpayer.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Election

ITA
70(6.2)

Subsection 70(6.2) of the Act allows a deceased taxpayer's legal representative to make an election, in respect of property of the taxpayer which would otherwise be eligible for rollover treatment under subsection 70(6) or (6.1), to have the general rules in subsection 70(5) apply to the disposition of the property.

Subsection 70(6.2) is amended to provide that the election also applies to amended subsection 70(5.1).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Leased farm and fishing property

ITA
70(9.8)

Subsection 70(9.8) of the Act treats, for the purposes described in that subsection (including for the purposes of subsection 14(1) and paragraph 20(1)(b)), property owned by a taxpayer as having been used by the taxpayer in the business of farming or fishing, as the case may be, if it is used principally in the business of farming or fishing in Canada by a family farming or fishing corporation, or a family farming or fishing partnership, of

Subsection 70(9.8) is amended to remove references to subsection 14(1) and paragraph 20(1)(b), consequential to the repeal of those provisions.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 36

Inter vivos transfers by individuals

ITA
73

Section 73 of the Act provides rules for the tax treatment of certain inter vivos transfers of property.

Inter vivos transfer of farm or fishing property to a child

ITA
73(3) and (3.1)

Subsection 73(3.1) of the Act provides a tax-deferral for inter vivos transfers of certain farm or fishing property by a taxpayer to a child of the taxpayer. Subsection 70(3) provides the circumstances in which tax-deferral under subsection 70(3.1) will be available.

Paragraph 70(3)(a) provides that the tax-deferral is only available in respect of property that is land in Canada, depreciable property in Canada of a prescribed class, or any eligible capital property in respect of a fishing or farming property carried on in Canada. Paragraphs 70(3.1)(c), (f) and (g) provide rules for the tax-deferred transfer of eligible capital property to a child of the taxpayer.

Paragraph 70(3)(a) is amended to remove the reference to eligible capital property and paragraphs 70(3.1)(c), (f) and (g) are repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 37

Surrender of property – debtor

ITA
79(4)(b)

Section 79 of the Act provides rules for debtors in connection with foreclosures, conditional sale repossessions and similar transactions.

Subsection 79(4) provides a rule in the event that a debtor subsequently pays a debt included in the debtor's proceeds of disposition of surrendered property. Paragraph 79(4)(b) provides that where the property is eligible capital property, the amount paid is deemed to be a repayment in respect of a property to which paragraph 20(1)(hh.1) applies. Paragraph 79(4)(d) provides that where the property is depreciable property, the amount paid is deemed to be a repayment in respect of a property to which paragraph 20(1)(hh) applies.

Paragraph 79(4)(b) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to provides that where the property was eligible capital property at the time the expenditure was made, the amount paid is deemed to be a repayment in respect of a property to which paragraph 20(1)(hh.1) applies.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 38

Debt forgiveness

ITA
80

Sections 80 to 80.04 of the Act set out the rules that apply when a commercial debt obligation is settled or extinguished for less than its principal amount or the amount for which it was issued. When such an obligation is settled or extinguished, it gives rise to a "forgiven amount" as defined in subsection 80(1). A forgiven amount in respect of a commercial debt obligation issued by a debtor is required to be applied against certain tax pools of the debtor, in a specified order, as provided in subsections 80(3) to (12). In general, subsection 80(13) requires that one half of any remaining unapplied portion of the forgiven amount be included in computing the debtor's income, unless it can be transferred to another taxpayer under section 80.04.

Subsections 80(5) and (6) generally provide that the remaining unapplied portion of a debtor's forgiven amount (after the forgiven amount has reduced non-capital losses and capital losses) in respect of an obligation settled at any time may be applied to reduce immediately after that time capital costs of depreciable property and the undepreciated capital cost of depreciable property.

Subsection 80(7) provides that the remaining unapplied proportion of a debtor's forgiven amount (after the forgiven amount has been reduced under subsections 80(5) and (6)) is multiplied by ¾ and then applied, to the extent designated by the debtor, to reduce the debtor's cumulative eligible capital. Only 3/4 of the unapplied forgiven amount in respect of an obligation is applied to reduce cumulative eligible capital of the taxpayer since only ¾ of a debtor's eligible capital expenditures are added in computing the debtor's cumulative eligible capital. Under paragraph 80(2)(f), the portion of the forgiven amount applied in this respect is considered to be 4/3 of the reduction of the cumulative eligible capital.

Paragraph 80(2)(f) and subsection 80(7) are repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules. Due to the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations, all eligible capital properties will be prescribed as depreciable properties under the regulations. As a result, subsections 80(5) and (6) will apply to these properties.

Paragraph 80(2)(c) and subsections (7), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14.1) and (15) and are also amended to remove references to subsection 80(7)

These amendments come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 39

Transfer of property to corporation by shareholders

ITA
85

Section 85 of the Act provides rules for tax-deferred transfers of certain types of properties by a taxpayer to a taxable Canadian corporation in exchange for shares.

ITA
85(1)

Subsection 85(1) of the Act provides tax deferral for the transfer of "eligible property" by a taxpayer to a taxable Canadian corporation for consideration that includes shares of the corporation's capital stock. In general, tax deferral may be achieved if the taxpayer and the corporation jointly elect that the proceeds of disposition of the taxpayer and the eligible capital expenditure of, or cost to, the corporation are deemed to be less than the fair market value of the property transferred.

ITA
85(1)(d) to (d.12)

Paragraph 85(1)(d) of the Act provides that the amount of the elected proceeds of disposition, in respect of an eligible capital property cannot be less than the least of:

Paragraph 85(1)(e) provides a similar rule in respect of depreciable property.

Paragraph 85(1)(d.1) provides rules related to the 1988 change of the rate of income inclusion and expenditure deductibility from 1/2 to 3/4.

Paragraph 85(1)(d.11) generally applies to ensure that an amount that would have been recaptured eligible capital property deductions to the taxpayer under subsection 14(1), if the taxpayer had disposed of the eligible capital property for an amount greater than the taxpayer's cumulative eligible capital at the time of the disposition, is subject to recapture in the hands of the corporation upon a subsequent sale of the property.

Paragraph 85(1)(d.12) of the Act ensures that a disposition of other eligible capital property by the taxpayer does not result in recapture of depreciation under paragraph 14(1)(a) when the resulting gain from that disposition should have been taxed at a lower rate under paragraph 14(1)(b) because of the previous application of paragraph 85(1)(d.11) to a disposition of the taxpayer.

Paragraph 85(1)(d) to (d.12) are repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
85(1)(e.1)

Paragraph 85(1)(e.1) of the Act provides generally that where more than one property described by paragraph (d) or (e) is disposed of at the same time, they are treated as being disposed of separately and the taxpayer may designate the order in which they are disposed of.

Paragraph 85(1)(e.1) is amended to remove a  reference to paragraph 85(1)(d), consequential on the repeal of paragraph 85(1)(d).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
85(1)(e.3)

Paragraph 85(1)(e.3) of the Act provides generally that where the elected amount would be deemed under paragraphs (c.1), (d) or (e) to be an amount that is greater or less than the amount that would be deemed, subject to paragraph (c), to be the elected amount under paragraph (b), the elected amount is deemed to be the greater of the two amounts.

Paragraph 85(1)(e.3) is amended to remove a reference to paragraph 85(1)(d), consequential on the repeal of paragraph 85(1)(d).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
85(1.1)(e)

Subsection 85(1.1) of the Act lists the types of property that are eligible for the election under subsection 85(1). Paragraph 85(1.1)(e) provides that eligible capital property is eligible for the election. Paragraph 85(1.1)(a) provides a similar rule for depreciable property.

Paragraph 85(1.1)(e) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 40

Amalgamations

ITA
87

Section 87 of the Act provides rules that apply where there has been an amalgamation of two or more taxable Canadian corporations to form a new corporation. The new corporation is generally treated as a continuation of each predecessor corporation for the purposes of the Act.

Eligible capital property

ITA
87(2)(f)

Paragraphs 87(2)(d) and (d.1) of the Act provide rules in respect of depreciable property and paragraph (f) provides rules in rules in respect of eligible capital property.

Paragraph 87(2)(f) provides that, where there has been an amalgamation of two or more taxable Canadian corporations, for the purposes of determining any amount relating to cumulative eligible capital, an eligible capital amount, and eligible capital expenditure or eligible capital property, the new corporation is deemed to be the same corporation as, and a continuation of, each predecessor corporation.

Paragraph 87(2)(f) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Superficial losses

ITA
87(2)(g.3)

Paragraph 87(2)(g.3) of the Act treats a new corporation formed on an amalgamation as a continuation of each of its predecessors for the purposes of applying subsections 13(21.2), 14(12), 18(15) and 40(3.4) to property disposed of before the amalgamation took place. Those subsections apply where property is transferred to a person with whom the transferor is affiliated and the tax cost of the property to the transferor exceeds its value at the time of the transfer. Where these conditions exist, any loss that would otherwise arise on the disposition is denied, but can be subsequently recognised when, for example, the transferred property is sold to a person that is not affiliated with the transferor.

Paragraph 87(2)(g.3) is amended to remove the reference to subsection 14(12) consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 41

Winding-up

ITA
88(1)

Section 88 of the Act deals with the tax consequences arising from the winding-up of a corporation. Subsection 88(1) provides rules that apply where a subsidiary has been wound up into its parent corporation in circumstances where both the parent and the subsidiary are taxable Canadian corporations and the parent owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class of the capital stock of the subsidiary.

ITA
88(1)(c.1)

Subparagraph 88(1)(a)(iii) of the Act generally provides that property of a subsidiary corporation is deemed to have been disposed of on its winding-up for proceeds of disposition equal to its cost amount to the subsidiary immediately before the winding-up. Under subparagraph 88(1)(c)(ii) of the Act, the cost of such property to the parent corporation is equal to such proceeds of disposition.

Paragraph 88(1)(c.1) generally reduces, for the parent that has acquired an eligible capital property, the gain that would be included in income under paragraph 14(1)(b) of the Act on a subsequent disposition of the property. This adjustment takes into account the 1988 change of the rate of income inclusion and expenditure deductibility from 1/2 to 3/4, by adjusting the calculation of variable Q in the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5) of the Act. Paragraph 88(1)(c.1) also applies similarly to the application of paragraph 85(1)(d.11) of the Act to a shareholder in respect of a disposition of an eligible capital property to a corporation.

Paragraph 88(1)(c.1) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 42

Capital dividend account

ITA
89(1)

Paragraph (c.1) of the definition "capital dividend account" generally requires the inclusion in the capital dividend account of 1/2 of all amounts required by paragraph 14(1)(b) of the Act to be included in the corporation's income for taxation years that end after February 27, 2000 and before October 18, 2000.

Paragraph (c.2) of the definition requires the inclusion of the amount required by paragraph 14(1)(b) to be included for taxation years that end after October 17, 2000.

Both of these amounts are reduced to take into account the appropriate portion of bad debts in respect of dispositions of eligible capital property. The calculation of the reduction for bad debts is complicated by the interaction of different inclusion rates for capital gains that may be relevant during the period.

Consequential on the repeal of section 14, these paragraphs are amended to provide that they apply to amounts required by paragraph 14(1)(b) to be included in the corporation's income as paragraph 14(1)(b) read before 2017.

Paragraph (c.2) is also amended to provide for the inclusion of amounts required by new subparagraph 13(37)(d)(iii) to be included in the taxpayer's income.

These amendments come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 43

Determination of certain components of foreign accrual property income

ITA
95(2)

Subsection 95(2) of the Act provides a number of rules for determining the income, of a foreign affiliate of a taxpayer resident in Canada, from a particular source.

ITA
95(2)(d.1)(ii)(B)

Paragraph 95(2)(d.1) of the Act provides for the rollover of property on a foreign merger of two or more predecessor foreign corporations, where certain conditions are met. Clause 95(2)(d.1)(ii)(B) provides continuity rules to give proper application to the various loss "suspension" rules in sections 13, 14, 18 and 40.

Clause 95(2)(d.1)(ii)(B) is amended to remove a reference to subsection 14(12), which is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
95(2)(e)(v)(A)(II)

Paragraphs 95(2)(e) of the Act provides rules that apply where a foreign affiliate of a taxpayer is liquidated and dissolved and property is distributed to shareholders that include other foreign affiliates of the taxpayer. Subclause 95(2)(e)(v)(A)(II) provides continuity rules to give proper application to the various loss "suspension" rules in sections 13, 14, 18 and 40.

Subclause 95(2)(e)(v)(A)(II) is amended to remove a reference to subsection 14(12), which is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
95(2)(f.11)(ii)(A)

Paragraph 95(2)(f) of the Act provides that, except as otherwise provided in subdivision i of Division B of Part I of the Act and except to the extent that the context otherwise requires, a foreign affiliate of a taxpayer is deemed to be at all times resident in Canada for the purposes of determining, in respect of the taxpayer for a taxation year of the foreign affiliate, each amount that is the foreign affiliate's

(i) capital gain, capital loss, taxable capital gain or allowable capital loss from a disposition of a property, or

(ii) income or loss from a property, from a business other than an active business or from a non-qualifying business.

Clause 95(2)(f.11)(ii)(A) provides that in determining an amount described in paragraph 95(2)(f) for a taxation year of a foreign affiliate of a taxpayer, or the amount of income or loss from a property other than an active business or from a non-qualifying business, the Act is to be read without reference to certain provisions, including subsections 14(1.01) to 14(1.03).

Clause 95(2)(f.11)(ii)(A) is amended to delete references to subsections 14(1.01) to 14(1.03), which are repealed as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 44

Partnerships

ITA
96

Section 96 of the Act provides rules for determining the income or loss of a partnership and its members.

Gains and losses

ITA
96(1.7)

Subsection 96(1.7) of the Act adjusts the amount of a taxable capital gain or allowable capital loss included in a taxpayer's income as an allocation from the partnership when the taxpayer's capital gains inclusion rate for the taxpayer's taxation year in with the partnership's fiscal period ends is different from the partnership's inclusion rate used to calculate the partnership's taxable capital gain or allowable capital loss. The adjusted capital gain or allowable capital loss reflects the taxpayer's inclusion rate for the taxpayer's taxation year in which the fiscal period of the partnership ends.

Subsection 96(1.7) specifies that it does not apply to amounts that can reasonably be attributable to an amount deemed under subsection 14(1.1) to be a taxable capital gain.

Subsection 96(1.7) is amended to remove the reference to subsection 14(1.1) consequential on the repeal of subsection 14(1.1) as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Agreement or election of partnership members

ITA
96(3)

Subsection 96(3) of the Act provides rules that apply if a member of a partnership makes an election under certain provisions of the Act for a purpose that is relevant to the computation of the member's income from the partnership. In such a case, the election will be valid only if it is made on behalf of all the members of the partnership and the member had authority to act for the partnership. Subsection 96(3) applies to elections relating to eligible capital property under subsections 14(1.01), (1.02) and (6).

Subsection 96(3) is amended to remove the references to subsections 14(1.01), (1.02) and (6) consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Foreign partnerships

ITA
96(8)(d)

Subsection 96(8) of the Act applies where a partnership, none of the partners of which are Canadian residents, acquires a Canadian resident as a partner. This can occur when a Canadian resident become a member of such a partnership, or when a person who is a member of such a partnership becomes a resident of Canada. Subsection 96(8) contains a number of rules that apply in computing the income of the partnership for fiscal periods ending after the time at which the partnership acquires a Canadian resident partner.

Paragraph 96(8)(d), which deals with cumulative eligible capital of such a partnership, provides that where 4/3 of the cumulative eligible capital of a business carried on outside Canada by the partnership at the time it acquires a Canadian partner is greater than the total of the fair market value of the related eligible capital property, the partnership is deemed to have disposed of and received proceeds for an eligible capital property equal to the excess.

A similar rule in paragraph 96(8)(a) applies to depreciable property.

Paragraph 96(8)(d) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 45

Rules if election by partners

ITA
97(2)

Subsection 97(2) of the Act provides rules that allow a person to transfer certain types of property on a tax-deferred "rollover" basis to a partnership. Subsection 97(2) provides that it applies to eligible capital property as well as capital property (including depreciable property).

Subsection 97(2) is amended to remove the reference to eligible capital property, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 46

Disposition of partnership property

ITA
98

Section 98 of the Act provides rules relating to the taxation of partnership properties and partnership interests where the partnership has ceased to exist.

Rules applicable where partnership ceases to exist

ITA
98(3)

Subsection 98(3) of the Act is an elective provision permitting (provided certain conditions are met) property of a Canadian partnership which has ceased to exist to be distributed to its members on a tax-deferred or "rollover" basis. This provision also allows a special increase or "bump-up" in the tax value of the distributed partnership property where the adjusted cost base of a member's partnership interest exceeds the amount of money and the cost amount to the partnership of the property that the member has received upon the dissolution of the partnership.

ITA
98(3)(b)(i.1)

Paragraph 98(3)(b) of the Act provides rules for determining the cost to each member of partnership property. Subparagraph 98(3)(b)(i.1) provides a rule for determining the cost to each member of eligible capital property.

Subparagraph 98(3)(b)(i.1) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
98(3)(g)

Subparagraph 98(3)(g) of the Act provides rules where property that is eligible capital property is distributed.

Paragraph 98(3)(g) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Partnership business carried on as sole proprietorship

ITA
98(5)

Subsection 98(5) of the Act allows for a tax-deferred transfer or "rollover" of a Canadian partnership's property where the partnership has ceased to exist and the transfer is to one member of the partnership who continues to carry on the business of the partnership as a sole proprietorship.

ITA
98(5)(b)(i.1)

Paragraph 98(5)(b) of the Act provides rules for determining the proprietor's proceeds of disposition of the proprietor's interest in the partnership. Subparagraph 98(5)(b)(i.1) applies in respect of eligible capital property.

Subparagraph 98(5)(b)(i.1) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
98(5)(h)

Subparagraph 98(5)(h) of the Act provides rules where property received by the proprietor is eligible capital property.

Paragraph 98(5)(h) is repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 47

Disposition by a taxpayer of a capital interests

ITA
107

Section 107 of the Act provides certain rules relating to the acquisition and disposition of a capital interest in a trust.

Distribution by personal trust

ITA
107(2)

Subsection 107(2) of the Act applies where a personal trust or a prescribed trust described in section 4800.1 of the Regulations distributes property to a beneficiary and there is a resulting disposition of part or all of the beneficiary's capital interest in the trust.

ITA
107(2)(b.1)

Subparagraph 107(2)(b.1)(ii) of the Act provides rules where the property distributed is eligible capital property, while subparagraph 107(2)(b.1)(iii) provides corresponding rules for depreciable property.

Subparagraph 107(2)(b.1)(ii) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of a new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
107(2)(f)

Paragraph 107(2)(f) of the Act provides rules where the property distributed is eligible capital property.

Paragraph 107(2)(f) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of a new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

No rollover on election by a trust

ITA
107(2.001)

Subsection 107(2.001) of the Act allows a trust to elect out of the rules in subsection 107(2) in respect of distributions of property to a beneficiary in satisfaction of the beneficiary's capital interest in the trust in certain circumstances.

Subsection 107(2.001)(c) is amended to remove the reference to eligible capital property, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 48

Tax consequences of qualifying dispositions

ITA
107.4(3)(e)

Subsection 107.4(3) of the Act generally provides for a rollover where a property is transferred by way of qualifying disposition. As set out in subsection 107.4(1), a qualifying disposition is a disposition that does not result in any change of beneficial ownership of the property and that otherwise meets the conditions set out in that subsection.

Paragraph 107.4(3)(e) provides for a rollover where the property transferred is eligible capital property.

Paragraph 107.4(3)(e) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 49

Lifetime capital gains exemption

ITA
110.6

Section 110.6 of the Act sets out the rules for calculating the entitlement of an individual to the lifetime capital gains exemption.

Definitions

ITA
110.6(1)

Subsection 110.6(1) of the Act provides definitions that apply for the purposes of the rules in section 110.6 for the lifetime capital gains exemption.

"qualified farm or fishing property"

Subsection 110.6(2) provides to individuals an exemption of up to $1,000,000 for capital gains realized on the disposition of "qualified farm or fishing property". Paragraph (d) of the definition provides that eligible capital property can be qualified farm or fishing property.

Paragraph (d) of the definition is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property, to provide that property included in new Class 14.1 can be qualified farm or fishing property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 50

Loss restriction event – CEC computation

ITA
111(5.2)

Section 111 of the Act provides rules relating to the treatment of losses, and in particular establishes the extent to which a taxpayer is permitted to deduct, in computing taxable income for a taxation year, losses of other years.

Subsection 111(5.2) provides that, where there is an acquisition of control of a corporation, the corporation is required to deduct under paragraph 20(1)(b) in computing its income for the year ending immediately before the change of control, the amount by which its cumulative eligible capital in respect of a business immediately before the acquisition of control exceeds the total of:

(a) the amount deducted by the corporation under paragraph 20(1)(b) in respect of its cumulative eligible capital in respect of a business; and

(b) three quarters of the fair market value at that time of its eligible capital property in respect of the business.

Subsection 111(5.1) provides a similar rule for depreciable property.

Subsection 111(5.2) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1 of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 51

Dispositions ignored

ITA
126(4.4)(a)

Section 126 of the Act provides rules under which a taxpayer may deduct, from tax otherwise payable, amounts the taxpayer has paid in respect of foreign tax.

Subsection 126(4.4) provides that certain dispositions and acquisitions of property are effectively ignored for the purposes of the foreign tax credit limitations in subsections 126(4.1) and (4.2) and the definition "economic profit" in subsection 126(7).

The references to subsections 14(14) and 14(15) are repealed, consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 52

Changes in residence

ITA
128.1

Section 128.1 of the Act sets out the income tax effects of becoming or ceasing to be resident in Canada.

Immigration

ITA
128.1(1)(b)(iii)

Subsection 128.1(1) of the Act provides rules that apply where a taxpayer becomes resident in Canada. Paragraph 128.1(1)(b) treats a taxpayer who becomes resident in Canada as having disposed of property owned by the taxpayer, for proceeds equal to fair market value. In the case of an individual, the deemed disposition does not apply to certain properties listed in subparagraphs 128.1(1)(b)(i) to (iv).

Subparagraph 128.1(1)(b)(iii) excludes eligible capital property from the deemed disposition rule.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new class 14.1, the reference to eligible capital property in subparagraph 128.1(1)(b)(iii) is replaced by reference to property included in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Emigration

ITA
128.1(4)(b)(ii)

Subsection 128.1(1) of the Act provides rules that apply where a taxpayer ceases to be resident in Canada. Paragraph 128.1(4)(b) treats a taxpayer who ceases to be resident in Canada as having disposed of the taxpayer's property for proceeds equal to its fair market value. In the case of an individual, the deemed disposition does not apply to certain properties listed in subparagraphs 128.1(4)(b)(i) to (v).

Subparagraph 128.1(4)(b)(ii) excludes capital property used in, and eligible capital property in respect of, a business carried on by the taxpayer through a permanent establishment.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new Class 14.1, the reference to eligible capital property in subparagraph 128.1(4)(b)(ii) is replaced by a reference to property included in Class 14.1 that is in respect of the business.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 53

Demutualization of insurance corporations

ITA
139.1

Section 139.1 of the Act contains rules regarding the "demutualization" of insurance companies. Demutualization is a process where a mutual insurance corporation converts into a corporation with share capital

Consequences of demutualization

ITA
139.1(4)(b)

Subsection 139.1(4) of the Act sets out various consequences of a demutualization, including the treatment of benefits received by policyholders pursuant to a demutualization. Paragraph 139.1(4)(b) clarifies that an amount paid or payable to a stakeholder in connection with the disposition, alteration or dilution of the stakeholder's ownership interest is not an eligible capital expenditure.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new subsection 13(35), paragraph 139.1(4)(b) is amended to provide that  no amount paid or payable to a stakeholder in connection with the disposition, alteration or dilution of the stakeholder's ownership interest may be included in new Class 14.1.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Acquisition of control

ITA
139.1(18)

Subsection 139.1(18) of the Act provides, in general, that the acquisition of shares by a holding corporation of an insurance corporation on the demutualization of the insurance corporation will not be considered to result in an acquisition of control of the insurance corporation.

Subsection 139.1(18) is amended to remove a reference to subsection 14(12), consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 54

Winding up of a Canadian affiliate: stop loss

ITA
142.7(13)

Section 142.7 of the Act provides tax-deferred rollover treatment on the conversion of the Canadian banking business of a foreign bank from a subsidiary to a branch.

Subsection 142.7(13) modifies the application of certain of the stop-loss rules in the Act where an election is made either to: (i) transfer property from a Canadian affiliate to an entrant bank on a rollover basis; or (ii) transfer losses of the affiliate to the bank on the wind-up of the affiliate.

ITA
142.7(13)(a)(ii)

Paragraph 142.7(13)(a) of the Act provides that, in respect of any direct or indirect transfer of property by a Canadian affiliate to its entrant bank or a person dealing at non-arm's length with the bank, each of the enumerated stop-loss rules is to be read without reference to the portion of the particular rule that permits recognition of a suspended loss on the wind-up of a transferor.

Subparagraph 142.7(13)(a)(ii), which applies for the purpose of subsection 14(12), is repealed, consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITA
142.7(13)(c)

Paragraph 142.7(13)(c) of the Act provides that, in applying the enumerated stop-loss rules to any property disposed of by a wound-up Canadian affiliate, the entrant bank is deemed to be the same corporation as, and a continuation of, the affiliate.

Paragraph 142.7(13)(c) is amended to remove a reference to subsection 14(12), consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 55

Registered retirement savings plans

ITA
146(1)

"earned income"

Section 146 of the Act provides rules relating to registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs). Subsection 146(1) defines a number of terms that apply for the purposes of the rules in section 146. The definition "earned income" in subsection 146(1) is relevant in determining the maximum tax-deductible contributions that a taxpayer may make to RRSPs.

Paragraph (h) of the definition, which provides that an amount determined under subparagraph 14(1)(b) is not included in the determination of "earned income", is repealed, consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 56

Becoming or ceasing to be exempt

ITA
149(10)(d)

Section 149 of the Act provides that certain persons are exempt from tax under Part I of the Act on their taxable income for the period in a taxation year during which the person qualifies for exempt status under section 149.

Subsection 149(10) sets out the tax treatment of a corporation that either become or ceases to be exempt from tax under Part I of the Act on its taxable income (otherwise than by reason of the exemption for certain insurers in paragraph 149(1)(t)).

Paragraph 149(10)(d) imposes a restriction on the extent to which a corporation may carry forward losses in respect of eligible capital expenditures incurred before a change in its tax status for deduction after the change. Paragraph 149(10)(d) reduces the cumulative eligible capital in respect of a business to the extent that the cumulative eligible capital exceeds 75 percent of the fair market value of eligible capital property in respect of the business (only 75 percent of expenditures on eligible capital property are added to cumulative eligible capital).

Paragraph 149(10)(b) provides a similar rule with respect to the undepreciated capital cost balance of depreciable property.

Paragraph 149(10)(d) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 57

Transfer pricing

ITA
247(1) "transfer pricing capital adjustment"

Section 247 of the Act provides rules concerning transfer pricing and related matters. Subsection 247(1) defines a number of terms for the purpose of section 247.

The definition "transfer pricing capital adjustment" in subsection 247(1) represents the transfer pricing adjustments made under subsection 247(2) that are in respect of capital property and eligible capital property of the taxpayer.

Subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (b)(ii), which relate to eligible capital property, are repealed, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 58

Definitions

ITA
248(1)

Subsection 248(1) of the Act provides a number of definitions that apply for the purposes of the Act.

"adjustment time"

The definition "adjustment time" in subsection 248(1), which relates to the eligible capital property rules, is repealed consequential to the repeal of section 14, including the definition "adjustment time" in subsection 14(5).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"cost amount"

The definition "cost amount" is used throughout the Act, particularly in provisions relating to the transfer of properties to and from corporations, trusts and partnerships.

Paragraph (d) of the definition, which provides the cost amount of eligible capital property, is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new class 14.1 of depreciable property. Paragraph (a) provides similar rules in respect of depreciable property.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"cumulative eligible capital"

The definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 248(1), which relates to the eligible capital property rules, is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, including the definition "cumulative eligible capital" in subsection 14(5).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"eligible capital amount"

The definition "eligible capital amount" in subsection 248(1), which relates to the eligible capital property rules, is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, including the definition "eligible capital amount" in subsection 14(1).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"eligible capital expenditure"

The definition "eligible capital expenditure" in subsection 248(1), which relates to the eligible capital property rules, is repealed consequential on the repeal the eligible capital property rules, including the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in subsection 14(5).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"eligible capital property"

The definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 248(1) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, including the definition "eligible capital property" in section 54.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"property"

The definition "property" in subsection 248(1) is amended to provide that the goodwill of a business is property for the purposes of the Act consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new Class 14.1.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

"taxable Canadian property"

The definition "taxable Canadian property" in subsection 248(1) of the Act is relevant primarily in relation to the taxation of non-residents.

Paragraph (b) of the definition provides that taxable Canadian property generally includes eligible capital property in respect of a business carried on in Canada as well as property used or held by the taxpayer in, or property described in an inventory of, a business carried on in Canada.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new Class 14.1, the reference to eligible capital property is replaced by reference to property included in Class 14.1.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Substantive gift

ITA
248(39)

Subsection 248(39) of the Act prevents a donor from avoiding the application of subsection 248(35) by disposing a property to a qualified donee and donating the proceeds, rather than donating the property itself. Paragraph 248(39)(c) applies in respect of gifts of eligible capital property.

Subsection 248(39) is amended, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, to delete a reference to "eligible capital property" in the opening words of the subsection and to repeal paragraph 248(39)(c).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 59

Converting Canadian currency amounts

ITA
261(7)(d)(i)

Subsection 261(7) of the Act sets out various rules for converting tax attributes from Canadian currency to a taxpayer's elected functional currency, where a taxpayer has elected into the functional currency tax reporting regime. Paragraph 261(7)(d) deals with certain amounts that are added to or deducted from a pool amount of a taxpayer.

Subparagraph 261(7)(d)(i) is amended to remove the reference to cumulative eligible capital in respect of a business, consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 60

Elections

ITR
600

Section 600 of the Regulations prescribes provisions of the Income Tax Act for the purposes of obtaining permission to amend, revoke or extend the time to file an election, which Ministerial discretion may be exercised under subsection 220(3.2) of the Act.

Paragraph 600(a) is amended to remove a reference to subsection 14(6), consequential on the repeal of section 14 as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 61

Allowances in respect of investment in property in Canada

ITR
808(2)

Part XIV of the Act imposes a tax on non-resident corporations carrying on a business in Canada through a branch. The purpose of this tax is to put those non-resident corporations in a similar position for Canadian tax purposes as are non-residents that carry on business in Canada indirectly through a Canadian subsidiary.

Branch tax is levied at a flat rate of 25% on a non-resident corporation's taxable income from Canadian sources, with certain adjustments, including an allowance for its investment in property in Canada. A corporation's allowance for investment in property in Canada is computed under section 808 of the Regulations.

Subsection 808(1) of the Regulations computes the allowance for investment in property in Canada for all non-resident corporations for the purpose of paragraph 219(1)(j) of the Act. Subsection 808(2) of the Regulations computes the amount of a corporation's "qualified investment in property in Canada" for the purposes of subsection 808(1).

ITR
808(2)(c)

Paragraph 808(2)(c) of the Regulations adds to a corporation's "qualified investment in property in Canada" an amount equal to 4/3 of the cumulative eligible capital of the corporation immediately after the end of the year in respect of each business carried on by it in Canada.

Paragraph 808(2)(b) provides a similar rule in respect of depreciable property based on the cost amount of the depreciable property.

Paragraph 808(2)(c) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules. As a result, amounts previously added to a corporation's "qualified investment in property in Canada" under paragraph 808(2)(c) will generally be included under paragraph 808(2)(b).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

ITR
808(2)(l)(iii)

Subparagraph 808(2)(l)(iii) of the Regulations deducts from a corporation's "qualified investment in property in Canada" an amount equal to each amount owing by the corporation on account of an eligible capital expenditure made or incurred by the corporation before the end of the year in respect of a business carried on by it in Canada.

Subparagraph 808(2)(l)(i) provides a similar rule in respect of depreciable property based on the purchase price of the property.

Subparagraph 808(2)(l)(iii) is repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules. As a result, amounts previously deducted from a corporation's "qualified investment in property in Canada" under subparagraph 808(2)(l)(iii) will generally be deducted under subparagraph 808(2)(l)(i).

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 62

Capital cost allowance

ITR
1100

Part XI of the Regulations provides rules relating to capital cost allowance.

Rates

ITR
1100(1)(a)(xii.1)

Subsection 1100(1) of the Regulations sets out the rates of capital cost allowance that taxpayers may claim under paragraph 20(1)(a) of the Act with respect to specified classes of depreciable property.

New subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1) provides that (subject to subsection 1100(2), which provides the half-year rule) a taxpayer is allowed to deduct an amount, in respect of property of new Class 14.1, not exceeding 5% of the undepreciated capital cost to the taxpayer at the end of the taxation year of property of the class.

An additional allowance is also available under new paragraph 1100(1)(c.1) in respect of Class 14.1 property acquired before January 1, 2017. For more information, see the commentary under paragraph 1100(1)(c.1).

Subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1) comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Additional allowances – Class 14.1

ITR
1100(1)(c.1)

New paragraph 1100(1)(c.1) of the Regulations provides an additional allowance in respect of Class 14.1 property of a business acquired before January 1, 2017. For taxation years that end before 2027, paragraph 1100(1)(c.1) allows a taxpayer an additional allowance of 2% of the undepreciated capital cost (UCC) of the class at the beginning of January 1, 2017, less the total of any amounts deducted under this paragraph in preceding taxation years and three times any amounts added to the UCC of the class under subsection 13(38) of the Act (which represents the amount of reductions to the UCC as a result of amounts received to which the relieving provision in subsection 13(38) applies – for further information, see the commentary on subsection 13(38) of the Act).

Further, if the total of that additional allowance and the amount deductible under subparagraph 1100(1)(a)(xii.1) is less than $500, the additional allowance may be increased to allow $500 total capital cost allowance for the class. However, in no case may the additional allowance for a taxation year exceed the UCC of the class at the beginning of January 1, 2017 (net of additional allowances for preceding years), nor may the additional allowance cause the total amount deductible under paragraph 20(1)(a) of the Act for the year in respect of the class to exceed the UCC balance (before taking any such deduction).

Paragraph 1100(1)(c.1) comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 63

Canadian renewable and conservation expense

ITR
1219(2)(b)(iv) and (v)

Section 1219 of the Regulations defines "Canadian renewable and conservation expense" (CRCE) for the purposes of subsection 66.1(6) of the Act. Subsection 1219(2) excludes certain listed amounts from being CRCE under subsection 1219(1).

Subparagraph 1219(2)(b)(iv) provides that a CRCE does not include an expense that, but for section 1219, would be included in the capital cost of depreciable property, except as provided by paragraph 1219(1)(b), (d), (e), (f), or (g).

Subparagraph 1219(2)(b)(iv) is amended to provide that it does not apply in respect of depreciable property described in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

Subparagraph 1219(2)(b)(v) provides that a CRCE does not include an expense that, but for section 1219, would be an eligible capital expenditure, except as provided by any of paragraphs 1219(1)(a) to (e). The reference to eligible capital expenditure in subparagraph 1219(2)(b)(v) is replaced by a reference to property described in Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Regulations.

These amendments are consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the creation of new Class 14.1.

These amendments come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 64

Insurer – net investment revenue

ITR
2411(4)

Subsection 2411(4) of the Regulations sets out the rules for determining an insurer's net investment revenue for the purposes of computing the insurer's minimum net revenue in subsections 2411(1) and (3) of the Regulations.

Paragraph (h) of the description of A in subsection 2411(4) and paragraph (h) of the description of B in subsection 2411(4), which are related to income inclusions under subsection 14(1) and deductions under paragraph 20(1)(b), are repealed consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules and the introduction of new Class 14.1.

Similar rules in respect of depreciable property are provided under paragraphs (c) and (e) of the description of A in subsection 2411(4) and paragraphs (a) and (d) of the description of B in subsection 2411(4).

These repeals come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 65

Capital cost allowance – prescribed classes

ITR
Schedule II

Schedule II to the Regulations lists the properties that can be included in each capital cost allowance (CCA) class. A portion of the capital cost of depreciable property is deductible as CCA each year. CCA rates for each type of property, identified by their CCA classes, are set out in section 1100 of the Regulations.

New Class 14.1 (5% CCA rate) applies to certain intangible properties that would otherwise not be included in any other class. The description of property in the class is based in principle on the definition "eligible capital expenditure" in former subsection 14(5) of the Act. This class includes goodwill and property that was eligible capital property of the taxpayer immediately before January 1, 2017 and owned by the taxpayer at the beginning of January 1, 2017.

The class also includes property, in respect of a business, acquired on or after January 1, 2017, other than

(i) property that is tangible property or corporeal property,

(ii) property that is not acquired for the purpose of gaining or producing income from business,

(iii) property in respect of which any amount is deductible (otherwise than as a result of being included in this class) in computing the taxpayer's income from the business,

(iv) property in respect of which any amount is not deductible in computing the taxpayer's income from business because of any provision of the Act (other than paragraph 18(1)(b)) or the Regulations,

(v) an interest in a trust,

(vi) an interest in a partnership,

(vii) a share, bond, debenture, mortgage, hypothecary claim, note, bill or other similar property, or

(viii) an interest in, or for civil law a right in, or a right to acquire a property described in any of (i) to (vii).

Subsection 1101(1) of the Regulations provides for a separate class in respect of each business of a taxpayer. This is consistent with the application of the former eligible capital property rules, which provided for a separate cumulative eligible capital pool for each business of a taxpayer.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 66

Depreciable Property

ITAR
20

Section 20 of the Income Tax Application Rules provides transitional rules for depreciable property acquired by a taxpayer before 1972.

Consequential on the repeal of the eligible capital property rules in the Income Tax Act and the introduction of the new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Income Tax Regulations, subsections 20(1) and (1.3) to (2) are amended to provide that they do not apply to property that was, at any time, eligible capital property.

These amendments come into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 67

Goodwill and other nothings

ITAR
21

Section 21 of the Income Tax Application Rules provides transitional rules for the disposition of an eligible capital property that was owned before 1972. The rules no longer apply other than to certain property that is a "government right".

Subsection 21(1) is amended to delete those portions that relate to property other than government rights.

Consequential on the repeal of section 14 of the Income Tax Act as part of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules, subsections 21(1) and (2.1) of the Income Tax Application Rules are amended to provide that the subsection applies for the purposes of sections 13 and 39 of the Income Tax Act, rather than section 14.

These amendments come into force on January 1, 2017.

Country-by-Country Reporting

Clause 68

Failure to furnish foreign based information

ITA
162(10)

Subsection 162(10) of the Act levies a penalty on persons and partnerships who, knowingly or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence, fail to file information returns required to be filed under sections 233.1 to 233.4, whether or not a demand is served for the returns.

The penalty under subsection 162(10) applies in two mutually exclusive situations described by paragraphs 162(10)(a) and (b). The first situation applies where a person or partnership, knowingly or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence, fails to file an information return as and when required by any of sections 233.1 to 233.4 and 233.8. Where no demand has been served for the return, the penalty is $500 per month for up to 24 months. If a demand is served and not complied with, the penalty is $1,000 per month.

Subsection 162(10) is amended so that it applies to persons and partnerships who fail to file the "country-by-country report" information return required by new section 233.8.

The amendment to subsection 162(10) applies to "reporting fiscal years" of "MNE groups" (both as defined in new subsection 233.8(1)) that begin on or after January 1, 2016.

Clause 69

Country by Country Report

ITA
233.8

New section 233.8 of the Act sets out the reporting requirements for the country-by-country report that was developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to enhance transparency for tax administrations by providing adequate information to assess high-level transfer pricing and other base erosion and profit-shifting related risks.

New section 233.8 applies to reporting fiscal years of MNE groups that begin on or after January 1, 2016.

Definitions

ITA
233.8(1)

New subsection 233.8(1) of the Act contains definitions that apply for the purposes of section 233.8.

"business entity"

A "business entity" means a person (including a trust, but not including a natural person) or partnership. It is also defined to include a business that is carried on through a permanent establishment (i.e., a branch), if a separate financial statement for that business is prepared for financial reporting, regulatory, tax reporting or internal management control purposes.

"consolidated financial statements"

"Consolidated financial statements" means the financial statements in which the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows of the members of a group are presented as those of a single economic entity consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.

"constituent entity"

A "constituent entity", of an MNE group, means a business entity within the MNE group that is included in the consolidated financial statements of the MNE group for financial reporting purposes (or that would be required to be included if equity interests in any of the business entities in the MNE group were traded on a public securities exchange). It also includes any business entity that is excluded from the MNE group's consolidated financial statements solely for size or materiality reasons.

"excluded MNE group"

An MNE group will be exempt from country-by-country reporting for a reporting fiscal year in which it qualifies as an excluded MNE group. An "excluded MNE group" for a particular year means an MNE group that has total consolidated group revenue of less than €750 million during the fiscal year immediately preceding the particular fiscal year, as reflected in its consolidated financial statements for the preceding fiscal year.

"fiscal year"

A fiscal year of an MNE group means an annual accounting period with respect to which the ultimate parent entity of the MNE group prepares its financial statements

"multinational enterprise group" or "MNE group"

The definition "multinational enterprise group" or "MNE group" contains three elements. The first element in paragraph (a) sets out the conditions for two or more entities to form a group based on requirements to prepare consolidated financial statements. The second element described in paragraph (b) sets out the requirement that the group is multinational by virtue of it having business entities operating in more than one jurisdiction. Finally, the third element in paragraph (c) provides an exclusion from the definition for "excluded MNE groups", which are groups that had consolidated group revenue of less than €750 million during the immediately preceding fiscal year.

"permanent establishment"

"Permanent establishment" has the same meaning as in section 8201 of the Income Tax Regulations.

"qualifying competent authority agreement"

A "qualifying competent authority agreement" is an agreement that requires the automatic exchange of country-by-country reports between jurisdictions. It is between authorized representatives of those jurisdictions that are parties to a "listed international agreement", which is defined in subsection 248(1) to mean the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters or a comprehensive tax information exchange agreement (a "TIEA") that Canada has entered into, and that has effect, in respect of another country or jurisdiction.

"reporting fiscal year"

A "reporting fiscal year" is a fiscal year, if the financial and operational results of the fiscal year are reflected in the country-by-country report.

"surrogate parent entity"

A "surrogate parent entity" is a constituent entity of an MNE group that has been appointed by the MNE group, in substitution for the ultimate parent entity, to file the country-by-country report on behalf of the MNE group. In order for a surrogate parent entity to be entitled to file the country-by-country report on behalf of its MNE group, one or more of the conditions in subparagraph (3)(b)(ii) must apply.

"systemic failure"

A jurisdiction will be in a position of "systemic failure" if it has a qualifying competent authority agreement in effect with Canada, but it has suspended automatic exchange (for reasons other than those that are in accordance with the terms of the agreement) or it has persistently failed to automatically provide country-by-country reports in its possession — in respect of MNE groups that have constituent entities in Canada — to Canada.

"ultimate parent entity"

An "ultimate parent entity" is generally the constituent entity of an MNE group that is at the top of the ownership chain within the MNE group. It must be required to prepare consolidated financial statements under accounting principles generally applied in its jurisdiction of residence (or that would be so required if its equity interests were traded on a public securities exchange in its jurisdiction of residence).

Determination of residence - ultimate parent entity

ITA
233.8(2)

New subsection 233.8(2) of the Act contains a rule to deem the residency of an ultimate parent entity that is a partnership (which would not ordinarily have a residency for Canadian tax purposes). In such a case, the partnership is deemed to be resident in another jurisdiction if it is resident there for tax purposes under the laws of that other jurisdiction. In any other case, it will be resident in the jurisdiction under the laws of which it was organized.

Filing obligations

ITA
233.8(3)

New subsection 233.8(3) of the Act provides that references to the country-by-country report in section 233.8 are references to the prescribed report required to be filed in subsection (3) and to substantially similar reports to the Canadian country-by-country report that are required to be filed in other jurisdictions.

Subsection 233.8(3) sets out the conditions for when the country-by-country report must be filed. It will generally be required to be filed - in prescribed manner with the Minister on or before the date specified in subsection (6) - by the ultimate parent entity of the MNE group, if it is resident in Canada in the reporting fiscal year.

The country-by-country report will also be required to be filed by a Canadian-resident constituent entity of an MNE group that is not the ultimate parent entity of the MNE group if one of the following conditions is satisfied:

Designation for multiple constituent entities

ITA
233.8(4)

New subsection 233.8(4) of the Act provides that if there is more than one constituent entity (that is not the ultimate parent entity) of an MNE group in Canada that is required to file a country-by-country report in respect of a reporting fiscal year, one of those constituent entities may be designated - on or before the date specified in subsection (6) in respect of the reporting fiscal year - so that it is entitled to file a country-by-country report for the reporting fiscal year with the Minister on behalf of all such constituent entities in the MNE group.

Surrogate filing

ITA
233.8(5)

New subsection 233.8(5) of the Act provides rules that allow a surrogate parent entity to file a country-by-country report instead of the ultimate parent entity. If the conditions in this subsection are met, a Canadian-resident constituent entity that is not the ultimate parent entity is not required to file a country-by-country report with the Minister with respect to a reporting fiscal year.

To qualify, a surrogate parent entity of the MNE group must file a country-by-country report in respect of the reporting fiscal year with the tax authority of its jurisdiction of tax residence on or before the date specified in subsection (6). In addition, the jurisdiction of tax residence of the surrogate parent entity must meet certain requirements. In particular, it must

Time for filing

ITA
233.8(6)

New Subsection 233.8(6) of the Act provides the deadline for filing the country-by-country report. It generally provides that a country-by-country report in respect of a reporting fiscal year of an MNE group must be filed by 12 months after the last day of the reporting fiscal year. However, if notification of systemic failure has been received by the constituent entity, this deadline can be extended to 30 days after receipt of the notification. This takes into account situations where a constituent entity has been informed of a systemic failure beyond the period within which it could meet the 12-month deadline.

Clause 70

Permanent establishment

ITR
8201

Section 8201 of the Regulations provides a definition of the term "permanent establishment" for the purposes of various provisions in the Act.

Section 8201 is amended to add a reference to new section 233.8 of the Act. For more information, see the commentary on new section 233.8.

The amendment to section 8201 applies to "reporting fiscal years" of "MNE groups" (both as defined in new subsection 233.8(1) of the Act) that begin on or after January 1, 2016.

Common Reporting Standard Penalty and Consequential Amendments

Clause 71

Where subsection (1) to (4) do not apply

ITA
225.1(6)

Section 225.1 of the Act describes those collection activities of the Minister of National Revenue, in respect of an amount assessed under the Act, that are generally restricted until after a specified time. Subsection 225.1(6) provides that these collection restrictions do not apply in respect of certain types of amounts that are assessed.

Subsection 225.1(6) is amended to add new paragraph (a.1), which adds the new "Common Reporting Standard" penalty proposed in section 281 of the Act to the list of debts that are not subject to these collection restrictions

For more information, see the commentary on new section 281.

This amendment comes into force on royal assent.

Clause 72

Due diligence - general

ITA
265

Paragraphs 265(2)(c) and (3)(b) of the Act set out the due diligence requirements required to be followed by financial institutions in order to identify accounts that are required to be reported pursuant to the rules in Part XVIII. Currently, these paragraphs permit financial institutions to apply the due diligence procedures applicable to pre-existing individual accounts to new individual accounts.

Paragraphs 265(2)(c) and (3)(b) are amended to eliminate the ability for financial institutions to apply the due diligence procedures for pre-existing individual accounts to new individual accounts consistent with the due diligence procedures proposed in new Part XIX.

This amendment comes into force on royal assent.

Clause 73

Production of TIN

ITA
281(1)

New subsection 281(1) of the Act provides that a reportable person's taxpayer identification number, or "TIN" (the number used by the Minister to identify an individual or entity), must be provided at the request of any person required to make an information return requiring the TIN.

New subsection 281(1) comes into force on July 1, 2017.

Confidentiality of TIN

ITA
281(2)

New subsection 281(2) of the Act provides that a person that is required to make an information return requiring a reportable person's TIN shall not knowingly use, communicate or allow to be communicated, otherwise than as required or authorized under the Act or regulations, the TIN, without written consent of the reportable person.

New subsection 281(2) comes into force on July 1, 2017.

Penalty for failure to provide TIN

ITA
281(3)

New subsection 281(3) of the Act provides a $500 penalty for a failure by a reportable person to provide on request their TIN to any person that is required to make an information return in respect of the reportable person.

This new penalty will not apply where

New subsection 281(3) comes into force on July 1, 2017.

Assessment

ITA
281(4)

New subsection 281(4) of the Act empowers the Minister of National Revenue to assess the penalty provided for under subsection 281(3) and provides that the administrative provisions of Division I and J will apply. However, by excluding subsection 164(1.1) to (1.3), reportable persons will not be entitled to any repayment of a penalty in dispute by filing an objection.

New subsection 281(4) comes into force on July 1, 2017.

Cross-Border Surplus Stripping

Clause 74

Definitions

ITA
54

Section 54 of the Act contains various definitions that apply for the purposes of subdivision C – Taxable Capital Gains and Allowable Capital Losses.

"proceeds of disposition"

The definition "proceeds of disposition" in section 54 is relevant for the purpose of determining a taxpayer's capital gain or loss from the disposition of property. Under paragraph (k) of the definition, the portion of those proceeds (otherwise determined) that is deemed to be a dividend under subsection 84(1.1), 212.1(1) or 212.2(2) is excluded in determining a taxpayer's proceeds of disposition.

Paragraph (k) of the definition is amended to replace the reference to subsection 212.1(1) with subsection 212.1(1.1). This amendment is consequential on the purely structural change whereby subsection 212.1(1) is divided into conditions of application, which remain in that subsection, and consequences of application, which are moved to new subsection 212.1(1.1). This amendment ensures that paragraph (k) continues to apply in respect of a dividend that is deemed under section 212.1.

For further information, see the commentary on subsections 212.1(1) and (1.1).

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Clause 75

Non-arm's length sales of shares by non-residents

ITA
212.1(1)

Subsection 212.1(1) of the Act is an anti-avoidance rule designed to prevent the removal of corporate surplus – which would otherwise be subject to withholding tax under Part XIII of the Act upon distribution to a non-resident shareholder – as a tax-free return of capital or as proceeds from the disposition of the corporation's shares giving rise to a capital gain that is not subject to tax in Canada.

Subsection 212.1(1) currently sets out the conditions of application, and the consequences that apply, where shares of a Canadian corporation (the "subject corporation") held by a non-resident person, a non-resident-owned investment corporation or a designated partnership are transferred to another Canadian corporation (the "purchaser corporation") with which the transferor does not deal at arm's length and, immediately after the disposition, the subject corporation is connected (within the meaning that would be assigned by subsection 186(4), with certain modifications) with the purchaser corporation.

Subsection 212.1(1) is amended in three ways. The first, purely structural, change is to divide subsection 212.1(1) into conditions of application, which remain in that subsection, and consequences of application, which are moved to new subsection 212.1(1.1).

Second, subsection 212.1(1) is amended to remove the reference to non-resident owned investment corporations, because these corporations no longer exist for taxation years ending after 2003.

Finally, subsection 212.1(1) is modified such that the non-resident person or designated partnership that transferred the shares of the subject corporation to the purchaser corporation is referred to as the "non-resident person" only in subsections 212.1(1) to (1.2). This change is intended to ensure that the references to a non-resident person in subsections 212.1(3) and (4) are not limited to the transferor non-resident person referred to in subsections 212.1(1) to (1.2). For further information, see the commentary on subsections 212.1(3) and (4).

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Non-arm's length sales of shares by non-residents

ITA
212.1(1.1)

New subsection 212.1(1.1) of the Act sets out the operative rule that applies if the conditions in subsection 212.1(1) are satisfied. The addition of this new subsection is a purely structural change, resulting from the division of subsection 212.1(1) into conditions of application, which remain in subsection 212.1(1), and consequences of application, which are moved from subsection 212.1(1) to new subsection 212.1(1.1). The content is unchanged.

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Deemed consideration

ITA
212.1(1.2)

New subsection 212.1(1.2) of the Act provides a deemed consideration rule for the purposes of subsections 212.1(1) and (1.1), clarifying the application of those rules in situations where it may otherwise be uncertain whether consideration has been received by the non-resident person from the purchaser corporation in respect of the disposition by the non-resident person of the subject shares.

New subsection 212.1(1.2) applies if, in the absence of that subsection, no consideration would be received by the non-resident person from the purchaser corporation for the subject shares. If applicable, subsection 212.1(1.2) deems the non-resident person to receive consideration, other than shares of the purchaser corporation, from the purchaser corporation for the subject shares. Further, the fair market value of this consideration is deemed to be equal to the amount, if any, by which the fair market value of the subject shares disposed of by the non-resident person exceeds the amount of any increase because of the disposition in the fair market value of the shares of the purchaser corporation.

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Idem

ITA
212.1(2)

If the conditions in subsection 212.1(1) of the Act are satisfied, the operative rule – now contained in new paragraph 212.1(1.1)(b) – provides for a reduction to the paid-up capital of shares of the purchaser corporation that are received by the non-resident person.

Subsection 212.1(2) provides for an increase to the paid-up capital of the shares of a particular class of a corporation to the extent that a reduction of paid-up capital under section 212.1 has the effect of increasing the amount of any dividend deemed to have been paid by the purchaser corporation under subsections 84(3) to (4.1) on a redemption, acquisition, cancellation or reduction of capital of its shares.

Consequential on the purely structural change that involves moving the consequences of application (including the paid-up capital reduction) from subsection 212.1(1) to new 212.1(1.1), the references to subsection 212.1(1) in subsection 212.1(2) are changed to refer instead to new subsection 212.1(1.1).

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Idem

ITA
212.1(3)

Subsection 212.1(3) of the Act sets out certain interpretive rules for the purposes of applying section 212.1.

Paragraph 212.1(3)(a) contains a rule that expands the concept of non-arm's length dealing for purposes of section 212.1, by deeming certain persons to not deal at arm's length for these purposes. Specifically, it deems – in respect any disposition described in subsection 212.1(1) by a non-resident person of subject shares to a purchaser corporation – the non-resident person not to deal at arm's length with the purchaser corporation if the non-resident person was:

For these purposes, paragraph 212.1(3)(b) also provides rules that deem a non-resident person to own shares that are owned by certain other (generally, related) persons or partnerships.

Paragraphs 212.1(3)(a) and (b) are amended by removing superfluous wording and by adding references to designated partnerships. These changes are related to the change to subsection 212.1(1), which has the effect that references to the "the non-resident person" are considered to refer to the non-resident person or designated partnership that transferred the shares of the subject corporation to the purchaser corporation only when those references appear in subsections 212.1(1) to (1.2).

These changes are intended to ensure that the references to a non-resident person (and designated partnership) in subsections 212.1(3) and (4) are not limited to the transferor non-resident person (or designated partnership) referred to in subsections 212.1(1) to (1.2), but rather to any non-resident person (or designated partnership). For further information, see the commentary on subsections 212.1(3) and (4).

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Where section does not apply

ITA
212.1(4)

Subsection 212.1(4) of the Act provides a relieving exception to the rules in section 212.1 that applies in respect of a disposition by a non-resident corporation of shares of a subject corporation to a purchaser corporation that immediately before the disposition controlled the non-resident corporation.

The purpose of this rule is to permit a Canadian-resident purchaser corporation that acquires shares of a non-resident corporation that itself owns shares of a Canadian corporation to simplify its corporate structure, but only in the limited circumstances where the conditions in paragraph 212.1(4)(a) and new paragraph 212.1(4)(b) are met.

Subsection 212.1(4) is amended to clarify that the exception in that subsection is unavailable – and thus subsection 212.1 (1.1) applies – unless the conditions in new paragraph 212.1(4)(b) are met. Specifically, in order to qualify for the exception, it must not be the case that, at the time of the disposition (or as part of a transaction or event or series of transactions or events that includes the disposition), a non-resident person or designated partnership both

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Clause 76

Deemed dividend

ITA
212.2(1)(b)

Section 212.2 of the Act is an anti-avoidance rule designed, in the context of the demutualization of insurance corporations, to discourage transactions designed to distribute corporate surplus to non-residents free of tax under Part XIII.

Pursuant to paragraph 212.2(1)(b), the deemed dividend rule in subsection 212.2(2) does not apply in respect of a disposition to which subsection 212.1(1) applies.

Consequential on the purely structural change that involves moving the consequences of application from subsection 212.1(1) to new 212.1(1.1), paragraph 212.2(1)(b) is amended to replace the reference to 212.1(1) with 212.1(1.1).

This amendment applies in respect of dispositions that occur after March 21, 2016.

Extension of Back-to-Back Rules

Clause 77

Subsection 15(2) generally requires that certain indebtedness be included in the income of a debtor in the year in which the indebtedness arose. Where the debtor is a non-resident, subsection 15(2) works in conjunction with subsection 214(3) to deem a dividend that is subject to non-resident withholding tax under Part XIII of the Act. Subsection 15(2) and related rules (referred to as the "shareholder loan rules") are intended to prevent a person or partnership, that is directly or indirectly a shareholder of a particular corporation or that is connected with a shareholder of the particular corporation, from avoiding tax by receiving property from the corporation as an otherwise non-taxable loan, rather than as a taxable dividend or other taxable amount.

The shareholder loan rules are amended to add new "back-to-back loan" rules, in subsections 15(2.16) to (2.192), which are modelled on the back-to-back loan rules in Part XIII of the Act. These amendments are intended to ensure that the application of subsection 15(2), and the related rule in subsection 80.4(2), is not avoided where a particular corporation – rather than providing debt funding directly to its shareholder, or to a connected person or partnership –provides debt funding indirectly through one or more intermediaries. These new rules apply, for example, where a particular corporation lends funds to an arm's length person on condition that the person makes a loan to a shareholder of the particular corporation (a so-called "back-to-back loan" arrangement).

Where they apply, the rules generally deem the particular corporation to make a loan to its shareholder (or to a connected person or partnership) for the purposes of sections 15 and 80.4, in an amount equal to the funding indirectly provided by the particular corporation to the shareholder. The new back-to-back loan rules also include "deemed repayment" rules, which generally deem a repayment on a loan that was previously deemed to be made under these new rules to occur when the amount of funding indirectly provided by a particular corporation to its shareholder is reduced.

New subsection 15(2.16) sets out the conditions for the application of the operative "deemed loan" rule in subsection 15(2.17). Subsection 15(2.18) sets out the conditions for the application of the rule for deemed repayments in subsection 15(2.19). Subsection 15(2.191) provides a separate rule for deemed repayments in certain special circumstances. Subsection 15(2.192) contains definitions for the purposes of new subsections 15(2.16) to (2.192).

The new back-to-back rules apply in respect of loans received and indebtedness incurred, and specified rights granted, after March 21, 2016. However, these rules also apply in respect of any portion of a particular loan received or indebtedness incurred or specified right granted before March 22, 2016 that remains outstanding on that date, as if that portion were a separate loan or indebtedness received or incurred, or specified right granted, as the case may be, on March 22, 2016, in the same manner and on the same terms as the particular loan or indebtedness or specified right. The multiple intermediary component of the rules applies as of January 1, 2017.

Back-to-back arrangement – application

ITA
15(2.16)

In order for the operative rule in new subsection 15(2.17) of the Act to apply at any time, the four conditions set out in paragraphs 15(2.16)(a) to (d) must be satisfied.

The first condition, in paragraph 15(2.16)(a), requires that a person or partnership (referred to as the "intended borrower") have an amount outstanding as or on account of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount (referred to as the "shareholder debt") to a person or partnership (referred to as the "immediate funder"). As clarified by paragraph 15(2.16)(d), in combination with the definition "ultimate funder" in subsection 15(2.192), the intended borrower is, essentially, the shareholder of a particular corporation (or the person or partnership connected with a shareholder) that receives funding indirectly from the particular corporation through a back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the shareholder debt.

The second condition, in paragraph 15(2.16)(b), requires that subsection 15(2) would not apply to the shareholder debt, in the absence of subsections 15(2.16) and (2.17). The purpose of the second condition is to ensure that subsection 15(2.17) does not apply to deem the intended borrower to receive a loan in respect of an amount that is otherwise subject to subsection 15(2).

The third condition, in paragraph 15(2.16)(c), is satisfied in either of two ways. The first way is if, at a time when the shareholder debt is outstanding, a funder (which is defined in new subsection 15(2.192) and includes the immediate funder, which is defined in paragraph (a)) in respect of a particular funding arrangement (which is also defined in subsection 15(2.192) and includes the shareholder debt), has an amount outstanding on account of a debt or other obligation owing to a person or partnership that meets one of the following conditions:

The condition in clause 15(2.16)(c)(i)(A) is intended to address situations where a funder is not fully bearing the risk of the amount it is owed (or the specified right it has granted) under a funding arrangement.

The second way in which the third condition, in paragraph 15(2.16)(c), may be satisfied is if all of the following conditions are met at the time the shareholder debt is outstanding:

For this purpose, subsection 18(5) defines a specified right, at any time in respect of a property, to mean a right to, at that time:

The design of paragraph 15(2.16)(c) is similar to that of paragraph 212(3.1)(c) in the back-to-back loan rules in Part XIII (as amendedin the manner outlined in the commentary on paragraph 212(3.1)(c)). For further information, see the commentary on paragraph 212(3.1)(c).

Since a funder is defined (in new subsection 15(2.192)) to include the immediate funder, and a funding arrangement is defined (in new subsection 15(2.192)) to include the shareholder debt, the requirements of paragraph 15(2.16)(c) will, in effect, be satisfied whenever the immediate funder receives debt funding, or a specified right, that is connected to the shareholder debt in the manner described in paragraph 15(2.16)(c).

The fourth condition, in paragraph 15(2.16)(d), is that, at the time the shareholder debt is outstanding, one or more funders is an ultimate funder. The term "ultimate funder" is defined in subsection 15(2.192) to mean, in effect, a person or partnership that meets the following two conditions: (i) the person or partnership is a funder (as defined in subsection 15(2.192), and (ii) if the person or partnership were the debtor under the shareholder debt, 15(2) would apply to the shareholder debt. Thus, the condition in paragraph 15(2.16)(d) ensures that the operative rule in subsection 15(2.17) does not apply in respect of every back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the shareholder debt. Rather, subsection 15(2.17) applies only where one or more of the funders, that fund the shareholder debt through a back-to-back arrangement, is a person or partnership a loan from which directly to the intended borrower is one to which subsection 15(2) would have applied.

The terms "funder" and "funding arrangement" are defined in new subsection (2.192). For more information, see the commentary on that subsection.

Back-to-back arrangement – consequences

ITA
15(2.17)

New subsection 15(2.17) of the Act is the operative rule providing the consequences when the conditions in subsection 15(2.16) are satisfied. If subsection 15(2.17) applies at a particular time, then, for the purposes of sections 15 and 80.4, it deems the intended borrower to receive a loan from a particular ultimate funder (as defined in subsection 15(2.192)) at the particular time. If there are multiple ultimate funders that have funded the shareholder debt indirectly through the back-to-back arrangement, then subsection 15(2.17) generally deems the intended borrower to receive loans from each of those ultimate funders.

The amount of the loan that the intended borrower is deemed to receive from a particular ultimate funder is determined by the following formula: A x B/C – (D – E).

Variable A is the lesser of the following two amounts:

Thus, variable A is, in effect, the lesser of the amount outstanding on the shareholder debt, and the aggregate amount of funding contributed by all of the ultimate funders to the back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the shareholder debt. Variable A is used as the starting point for determining the amount of the deemed loan by a particular ultimate funder under subsection 15(2.17), to ensure that the amount of the deemed loan(s) under that subsection does not exceed the amount that is funded indirectly by ultimate funders (in the form of debt and specified rights) to the intended borrower. This represents the extent to which the shareholder debt has been funded in a manner that (absent these new back-to-back loan rules) avoids subsection 15(2).

In calculating the total under paragraph (b) in variable A, debts owing by one ultimate funder to another ultimate funder, and specified rights granted by one ultimate funder to another ultimate funder, are excluded. This is intended to prevent "double counting" where, for example, one ultimate funder made a loan to another ultimate funder, which in turn used the proceeds of the first loan to provide debt funding to an intended borrower indirectly through a back-to-back arrangement.

Variable B is the total of all amounts, each of which is, at the particular time,

Variable C is the total amount determined under paragraph (b) in the description of A.

The reason for multiplying variable A by B/C in the formula is to effectively prorate the portion of the shareholder debt that is funded indirectly by all the ultimate funders (i.e., variable A) among the ultimate funders. This ensures that the loan an intended borrower is deemed under subsection 15(2.17) to receive from a particular ultimate funder reflects only the portion of the shareholder debt funded indirectly by that particular ultimate funder.

Variable D is the total of all amounts, each of which is, in respect of the shareholder debt, an amount that the intended borrower has been deemed by subsection 15(2.17) to have received from the particular ultimate funder as a loan at any time before the particular time.

Variable D is intended to prevent double taxation. It reflects the fact that, pursuant to subsection 15(2.16), subsection 15(2.17) applies at any time when the conditions set out in subsection 15(2.16) are met. Since a back-to-back loan arrangement will generally satisfy the conditions in subsection 15(2.16) at every moment during which it remains outstanding, subsection 15(2.17) applies at each such moment. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the amount of the deemed loan under subsection 15(2.17) by the amount determined for variable D (as reduced by the amount determined for variable E), to ensure that, where the funding provided by the particular ultimate funder under the back-to-back arrangement has not changed from moment to moment, that subsection does not deem an additional loan at each moment.

Variable E is the amount of any repayments deemed by subsections 15(2.19) and (2.191) to have occurred before the particular time, in respect of any of the deemed loans referred to in the description of D. These are loans that the intended borrower has been deemed by subsection 15(2.17) to have received from the particular ultimate funder.

Back-to-back arrangement – conditions for deemed repayment

ITA
15(2.18)

New subsection 15(2.18) of the Act sets out the conditions that must be satisfied in order for new subsection 15(2.19) to apply at a particular time to deem an intended borrower to repay all or a portion of one or more deemed loans to a particular ultimate funder at that time.

The first condition, in paragraph 15(2.18)(a), is that, prior to the particular time at which the repayment is deemed to occur, subsection 15(2.17) has applied in respect of a shareholder debt to deem one or more loans to have been received by the intended borrower from the particular ultimate funder. It is one or more of these deemed loans that subsection 15(2.19) deems to be repaid, in whole or in part, if the conditions in subsection 15(2.18) are satisfied.

The second condition, in paragraph (2.18)(b), is that, at that particular time, one of the following events must occur:

In effect, in order for the deemed repayment rule in subsection 15(2.19) to apply, it is sufficient that a reduction occur either in the amount outstanding on the shareholder debt, or in the funding contributed (whether as debt or in the form of a specified right) by the particular ultimate funder under the back-to-back arrangement that includes the shareholder debt; it is not necessary to reduce both.

Back-to-back arrangement – deemed repayment

ITA
15(2.19)

New subsection 15(2.19) of the Act applies where the conditions in subsection 15(2.18) are satisfied in respect of an intended borrower and a particular ultimate funder at a particular time. The rule is intended to ensure that existing relief, for repayments of debts to which subsection 15(2) has applied, is available in respect of loans that are deemed to be made under subsection 15(2.17), in circumstances where it is appropriate to consider amounts repaid on those deemed loans.

For the purposes of section 15, paragraph 20(1)(j), section 80.4 and subsection 227(6.1), paragraph 15(2.19)(a) deems the intended borrower to repay at the particular time, in whole or in part, one or more loans it has been deemed under subsection 15(2.17) to have received from the particular ultimate funder prior to the particular time. The total amount deemed to be repaid, at the particular time, in respect of all of these loans is determined pursuant to the formula in paragraph 15(2.19)(b). It is intended that, consistent with existing administrative policy of the Canada Revenue Agency, the repayment will occur on a "first-in, first-out" ("FIFO") basis and, to the extent this deemed repayment amount exceeds the amount outstanding on a particular deemed loan, repayments will be considered to be made on multiple deemed loans.

As in the case of any repayment of a loan to which subsection 15(2) has applied, a deemed repayment under subsection 15(2.19) is not sufficient to qualify for relief under subsection 15(2.6), paragraph 20(1)(j) or subsection 227(6.1); these provisions set out additional requirements – in particular, that it must be established that the deemed repayment was not part of a series of loans or other transactions and repayments.

Paragraph 15(2.19)(b) provides that the total amount of deemed repayments referred to in paragraph 15(2.19)(a) is determined by the formula A – B – C.

Variable A is the total amount of all the loans deemed by subsection 15(2.17) to have been received, at any time before the particular time at which subsection 15(2.17) applies, by the intended borrower from the particular ultimate funder in respect of the shareholder debt. This aggregation reflects the fact that subsection 15(2.19) does not deem a repayment of a single deemed loan but rather deems a repayment in respect of all of the deemed loans, in respect of the shareholder debt, that are deemed to have been paid from the particular ultimate funder to the intended borrower.

Variable B is the total of all amounts deemed by subsection 15(2.19) to have been repaid, at any time before the particular time, by the intended borrower on any of the deemed loans referred to in the description of A.

Thus, the difference between variables A and B can be viewed as representing the net amount by which the intended borrower is treated, under the shareholder loan rules, as being funded, immediately before the particular time, by the particular ultimate funder indirectly under the back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the shareholder debt. This amount is then reduced by the amount determined for variable C – which, in effect, represents the amount by which the intended borrower is funded, immediately after the particular time, by the particular ultimate funder under that same arrangement – in order to determine the amount deemed to be repaid at the particular time.

Variable C is, more specifically, the amount determined by the formula D x E/F.

Variable D is the lesser of the following two amounts:

Thus, variable D represents the total amount by which the shareholder debt is funded indirectly by all of the ultimate funders, immediately after the particular time.  This total amount is then multiplied by the proportion E/F, to determine the portion of that total amount, immediately after the particular time, that is attributable to funding arrangements, in respect of the shareholder debt, under which the particular ultimate funder is a creditor or a grantor of a specified right.

Variable E is the total of all amounts, each of which is, immediately after the particular time:

Variable F is the amount determined under paragraph (b) in the description of D. This represents the total amount of funding indirectly provided by all of the ultimate funders under funding arrangements, immediately after the particular time.

Negative amounts

ITA
15(2.191)

New subsection 15(2.191) of the Act applies where the formula in subsection 15(2.17) would result in a negative amount at a particular time in the absence of section 257. This could arise in certain circumstances where the proportion of the total funding under a back-to-back loan arrangement that is provided by a particular ultimate funder changes. This proportion is represented by B/C in the formula in subsection 15(2.17).

In these circumstances, for the purposes of section 15, paragraph 20(1)(j), section 80.4 and subsection 227(6.1), paragraph 15(2.191)(a) deems the intended borrower to repay, in whole or in part, one or more of the loans deemed by subsection 15(2.17) to have been received by the intended borrower from the particular ultimate funder before the particular time. This deemed repayment occurs in a similar manner to that in subsection 15(2.19). For more information, see the commentary on that subsection.

Paragraph 15(2.191)(b) provides that the amount of the deemed repayment under paragraph 15(2.191)(a) is equal to the absolute value of the negative amount.

Back-to-back arrangement – definitions

ITA
15(2.192)

New subsection 15(2.192) of the Act sets out the relevant definitions that apply in subsections 15(2.16) to (2.192).

"funder"

Paragraph (a) defines "funder", in respect of a funding arrangement, to mean the immediate funder if the funding arrangement is one described in paragraph (a) of the definition "funding arrangement" (i.e., the shareholder debt).

Paragraph (b) defines "funder", in respect of a funding arrangement, to mean the creditor in respect of the debt or other obligation or the grantor of the specified right, as the case may be, if the funding arrangement is one described in paragraph (b) of the definition "funding arrangement" (i.e., each debt or other obligation or specified right, owing by or granted to a funder, in respect of a particular funding arrangement, if the debt or other obligation or specified right meets the conditions in subparagraph 15(2.16)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a funding arrangement).

For more information regarding the operation of the definition, see the example provided in the commentary on the definition of "funding arrangement".

Paragraph (c) defines "funder", in respect of a funding arrangement, to mean a person or partnership that does not deal at arm's length with a person or partnership referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).

"funding arrangement"

Paragraph (a) provides that the shareholder debt (within the meaning of subsection 15(2.16)) is a "funding arrangement".

Paragraph (b) provides that each debt or other obligation or specified right, owing by or granted to a funder, in respect of a particular funding arrangement is a "funding arrangement", if the debt or other obligation or specified right meets the conditions in subparagraph 15(2.16)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a funding arrangement.

Example

Assume that Aco loans $100 to Bco, which loans $100 to Cco, which loans $100 to Dco.

For the purposes of subsection 15(2.16), Dco is the intended borrower, Cco is the immediate funder and the loan from Cco to Dco is the shareholder debt. Cco deals at arm's length with each of Aco, Bco and Dco. Dco wholly owns Bco and Bco wholly owns Aco.

The shareholder debt owing by Cco to Dco is a funding arrangement because of paragraph (a) of the definition. Cco is a "funder" because of paragraph (a) of the definition of "funder".

In order to determine whether the loan from Bco to Cco is a funding arrangement, it is necessary to determine whether it meets the conditions in subparagraph 15(2.16)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a funding arrangement (i.e., the shareholder debt). Assuming that it does, the loan from Bco to Cco will be a funding arrangement (and Bco will be a "funder" because of paragraph (b) of the definition of "funder").

Likewise, in order to determine whether the loan from Aco to Bco is a funding arrangement, it is necessary to determine whether it meets the conditions in subparagraph 15(2.16)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a funding arrangement (i.e., the shareholder debt or the loan from Bco to Cco). Assuming that it does, the loan from Aco to Bco will be a funding arrangement (and Aco will be a "funder" because of paragraph (b) of the definition of "funder").

Aco and Bco would both be "ultimate funders" in respect of the shareholder debt, provided that subsection 15(2) would apply if the creditor under the shareholder debt had been Aco or Bco, respectively.

"specified right"

The term "specified right" has the same meaning as in subsection 18(5).

"ultimate funder"

An "ultimate funder" means a funder, if subsection 15(2) or 80.4(2) would apply to the shareholder debt if it were made by the funder instead of the immediate funder.

For more information regarding the operation of the definition, see the example provided in the commentary on the definition of "funding arrangement".

Clause 78

Back-to-back arrangement

ITA
80.4(2)

Subsection 80.4(2) of the Act provides a rule in respect of certain low-interest or non-interest bearing indebtedness extended by a corporation to a shareholder of the corporation, a connected person or partnership or a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that is a shareholder of the corporation. Where the loan or indebtedness was extended by virtue of such shareholding, a benefit is deemed to be received by the debtor.

New "back-to-back loan" rules, which are being added to the shareholder loan rules in subsection 15(2) and related provisions, apply also for the purposes of section 80.4. Generally, these new rules seek to ensure that the application of subsections 15(2) and 80.4(2) is not avoided by financing arrangements in which a particular corporation – rather than providing debt funding directly to its shareholder, or a connected person or partnership – provides debt funding indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

New subsection 15(2.17) deems a person or partnership that is directly or indirectly a shareholder of a particular corporation, or that is connected with a shareholder of the particular corporation, to receive a loan from the particular corporation for purposes of section 80.4, where the conditions in new subsection 15(2.16) are met. New subsection 15(2.19) deems the person or partnership to repay the loan, in whole or in part, to the particular corporation for the purposes of section 80.4, where the conditions in new subsection 15(2.18) are met. For further information, see the commentary on new subsections 15(2.16) to (2.192).

New subsections 15(2.16) to (2.192), along with the related amendments to paragraph 80.4(2)(e) and subsection 80.4(7), apply in respect of loans received and indebtedness incurred and specified rights granted after March 21, 2016. However, these rules also apply in respect of any portion of a particular loan received or indebtedness incurred or specified right granted before March 22, 2016 that remains outstanding on that date, as if that portion were a separate loan or indebtedness received or incurred, or specified right granted, as the case may be, on March 22, 2016, in the same manner and on the same terms as the particular loan or indebtedness or specified right.

Idem

ITA
80.4(2)(e)

The amount of the benefit deemed by subsection 80.4(2) of the Act is equal to the amount by which the amount determined under paragraph 80.4(2)(d) exceeds the amount determined under paragraph 80.4(2)(e). Paragraph 80.4(2)(d) represents the aggregate interest for the year, computed at the prescribed rate, on all loans and debts to which subsection 80.4(2) applies. Paragraph 80.4(2)(e) represents the amount of interest for the year paid on all such loans and debts not later than 30 days after the later of the end of the year and December 31, 1982.

Consequential on the introduction of the back-to-back loan rules in subsections 15(2.16) to 15(2.192), which generally apply also for purposes of section 80.4, paragraph 80.4(2)(e) is amended to provide that, in respect of loans that are deemed to have been made under subsection 15(2.17), the amount determined under that paragraph is equal to the specified interest amounts (as defined in subsection 80.4(7)) in respect of the deemed loans.

Definitions

ITA
80.4(7)

Subsection 80.4(7) of the Act provides definitions for the purposes of section 80.4.

"specified interest amount"

The definition "specified interest amount" is added to subsection 80.4(7). This new definition provides a formula for calculating the amount to be included under paragraph 80.4(2)(e) in respect of a loan that is deemed to be made under subsection 15(2.16).

The "specified interest amount", for a year, in respect of a loan (the "deemed loan") deemed under subsection 15(2.17) to have been made by an "ultimate funder" (as defined in subsection 15(2.192)), is the amount determined by the formula A x B/C.

Variable A is the amount of interest for the year, paid not later than 30 days after the end of the year, on all debts – owing by one or more "funders" (that are not "ultimate funders") under one or more "funding arrangements" to the ultimate funder – that gave rise to the deemed loan. The relevant terms are defined in new subsection 15(2.192))

Variable B is the average amount outstanding for the year in respect of the deemed loan.

Variable C is the total of all amounts each of which is the average amount outstanding in the year as or on account of an amount owing under a debt described in variable A.

Clause 79

Back-to-Back Loan Arrangements

ITA
212(3.1) to (3.8)

Subsections 212(3.1) to (3.3) of the Act ensure that withholding tax applicable under Part XIII of the Act is not avoided by a financing arrangement in which a non-resident of Canada, instead of providing debt funding directly to a taxpayer that is a resident of Canada, provides it through an intermediary – for example, by lending funds to another person on condition that the other person make a loan to the taxpayer, a so-called "back-to-back" loan. The rules effectively treat as direct loans, from a non-resident to the taxpayer, certain variations of back-to-back loans and their economic equivalents. These back-to-back loan rules largely parallel the rules in subsections 18(6) and (6.1), which are targeted at similar financing arrangements that may otherwise circumvent the thin capitalization rules. Subsection 212(3.1) provides the conditions for the application of subsection 212(3.2), which is the operative rule.

The back-to-back loan rules in subsections 212(3.1) to (3.3) are amended to clarify the manner in which they apply to certain multiple-intermediary arrangements – that is, arrangements that include two or more intermediaries. Although the existing back-to-back rules can apply to such arrangements, and such arrangements raise similar tax policy concerns as single-intermediary arrangements, the manner in which the existing rules apply to multiple-intermediary arrangements may not be entirely clear in all cases. In order to clarify their application to multiple-intermediary arrangements, amendments are made to the existing rules in subsections 212(3.1) to (3.3). In addition, new subsections 212(3.4) and (3.5), as well as new definitions in subsection 212(3.8), are added.

The back-to-back loan rules are also amended by adding "character substitution" rules in new subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7). These rules are intended to prevent the avoidance of the back-to-back loan rules through the substitution of an economically similar arrangement of a different legal character from a debt (e.g., a royalty agreement or an equity investment), between an intermediary and another party to the arrangement. 

The amendments in subsections 212(3.1) to (3.8) apply in respect of amounts paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of interest after 2016.

ITA
212(3.1)

Subsection 212(3.1) of the Act sets out the conditions of application for subsection 212(3.2). As part of the changes in relation to multiple-intermediary arrangements, subsection 212(3.1) is amended by substituting the term "the immediate funder" for "the intermediary", in recognition that there may be multiple intermediaries (or "funders").

In addition, changes are made to paragraph 212(3.1)(c). Under the existing rules, paragraph 212(3.1)(c) requires a certain connection between the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a) and an arrangement under which the "intermediary" (i.e., the creditor under the particular debt or other obligation) is either the debtor or the holder of a specified right. Paragraph 212(3.1)(c) is modified to instead require the same kind of connection as under the existing rules, but between a particular "relevant funding arrangement" (or, in the case where the connection is in the form of a limited-recourse debt, any relevant funding arrangement) and an arrangement under which the "relevant funder", in respect of the particular relevant funding arrangement, is the debtor or the holder of a specified right. For these purposes, a "relevant funder" is defined in new subsection 212(3.8) to include the immediate funder, and a "relevant funding arrangement" is defined in subsection 212(3.8) to include the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(c). Accordingly, the requirements of paragraph 212(3.1)(c) will be satisfied whenever the immediate funder receives debt funding, or a specified right, that is connected to the particular debt or other obligation in the manner described in paragraph 212(3.1)(c). Further, in that case, the debt owing by, or specified right held by, the immediate funder is itself a relevant funding arrangement (under paragraph (b) of that definition, in subsection 212(3.8)), and the creditor under that debt, or the grantor of that specified right, is also a relevant funder (under paragraph (b) of that definition, in subsection 212(3.8)). Any debt owing by, or specified right held by, the latter relevant funder that is connected to another relevant funding arrangement is also a relevant funding arrangement (under paragraph (b) of that definition, in subsection 212(3.8)). It is through this iterative application of the definitions "relevant funding arrangement" and "relevant funder" that the rules, as amended, apply to multiple-intermediary arrangements.

Paragraph 212(3.1)(d) is also amended to add a reference to "any ultimate funder". As a result, the condition in that paragraph is now satisfied if there is at least one ultimate funder – out of all of the ultimate funders that have, directly or indirectly, funded the particular debt or other obligation – to which the payment or crediting of the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a) would have resulted in greater tax payable under Part XIII than is actually payable in respect of the particular amount paid to the immediate funder. An "ultimate funder" is defined in subsection 212(3.8) and means, in effect, a relevant funder (other than the immediate funder) that is the original source of funding (in the form of either debt financing or the granting of a specified right) that indirectly (through one or more intermediaries) funds the particular debt or other obligation. Thus, any relevant funder, within the back-to-back arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation, that acts solely as an intermediary or conduit for funding originating from another relevant funder within the arrangement, is not an ultimate funder. It is necessary to apply the Part XIII withholding tax rate comparison in paragraph 212(3.1)(d) with respect to each ultimate funder since, where the conditions in subsection 212(3.1) are met, amended subsection 212(3.2) deems the taxpayer to pay interest to each ultimate funder (in an amount determined under the formula in subsection (3.2)).     

Minor changes are also made to the de minimis rule in paragraph 212(3.1)(e), to reflect the above-noted introduction of the term "immediate funder" in subsection 212(3.1) and the general clarifying changes with respect to multiple-intermediary arrangements. Also, language is added at the beginning of paragraph 212(3.1)(e), clarifying the original intent that the condition in that paragraph is satisfied if the 25% threshold is met at any time during the relevant period.

Back-to-back loan arrangements

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212(3.2)

Subsection 212(3.2) of the Act is the operative rule setting out the consequences, for purposes of the withholding tax rule in paragraph 212(1)(b), when the conditions in subsection 212(3.1) are satisfied.

Subsection 212(3.2) is amended as part of the changes to the back-to-back loan rules, clarifying the manner in which they apply to certain multiple-intermediary arrangements. The first change is that, if subsection 212(3.2) applies, the taxpayer is deemed for the purposes of paragraph 212(1)(b) to pay interest to each "ultimate funder" (a new term that is defined in new subsection 212(3.8)). For more information on this definition, see the commentary on subsections 212(3.1) and (3.8).

Changes are also made to the formula and variables in subsection 212(3.2) to clarify the computation of deemed interest amounts in the case of multiple-intermediary arrangements. As a result of these changes, the amount of interest deemed to be paid to a particular ultimate funder is determined by the formula (A – B) × C/D × (E – F)/E.

Variable A is the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). This is unchanged under the current amendments.

Variable B is the portion, if any, of the particular amount deemed by subsection 214(16) to have been paid by the taxpayer as a dividend rather than as interest. Variable B is the amount that was previously in variable D. Moving this amount from variable D to variable B does not constitute a substantive change. 

The proportion C/D in the formula represents the proportion of the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(c) that is ultimately funded by the particular ultimate funder. Thus, the amount of interest that the particular ultimate funder is deemed to receive from the taxpayer under subsection 212(3.2) is determined by reference to the proportion of the particular debt or other obligation funded by the particular ultimate funder.

More specifically, variable C is the average of all amounts each of which is, at a particular time during the relevant period (the "relevant period" refers to the period during which the interest paid or credited accrued), the amount determined by the formula G – H.

Variable G is the least of the following amounts:

In effect, variable G represents the portion of the particular debt or other obligation that has been indirectly funded by the particular ultimate funder providing debt funding, or granting specified rights, under one or more relevant funding arrangements (which are, by the definition of that term in subsection 212(3.8), arrangements that are part of a back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation). In order to determine the portion of the particular debt or other obligation of which the particular ultimate funder is the ultimate source of funding, however, the amount in variable G must be reduced by the amount in variable H.

Variable H represents the aggregate amount of funding received by the particular ultimate funder, effectively acting as an intermediary (or "conduit") under the back-to-back loan arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation. Specifically, variable H is the total of all amounts each of which is:

Variable D is the average of all amounts each of which is the amount of the particular debt or other obligation outstanding at a time in the relevant period. Although, under the current amendments, this amount is moved from variable C to variable D in the formula, this does not constitute a substantive change.

The only changes to variables E and F under the current amendments involve replacing the reference to "the non-resident person" with "the particular ultimate funder", and the intermediary" with "the immediate funder". These changes are consistent with the changes in terminology throughout the back-to-back loan rules, as part of the amendments relating to multiple-intermediary arrangements. As a result, variable E is now the rate of tax (determined without reference to subsection 214(16)) that would be imposed under Part XIII on the particular amount if the particular amount were paid by the taxpayer to the particular ultimate funder at the time when it is actually paid to the immediate funder.

Variable F is the rate of tax (determined without reference to subsection 214(16)) imposed under Part XIII on the immediate funder in respect of all or the portion of the particular amount paid or credited to the immediate funder.

Excess funding

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212(3.3)

Subsection 212(3.3) of the Act ensures that, where subsection 212(3.2) deems a taxpayer to pay interest to multiple non-resident persons in respect of a particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a), the total amount of interest deemed to be paid to those non-residents under subsection 212(3.2) does not exceed the amount of interest actually paid on the particular debt or other obligation. To prevent such excess, subsection 212(3.3) effectively allows the taxpayer to designate, in a reasonable manner, amounts by which to reduce the amounts of funding considered to have been provided by one or more of the non-resident persons, provided that the total of such reductions cannot be greater than the amount of the excess.

Subsection 212(3.3) is replaced by new subsections 212(3.3) and (3.4), which address circumstances similar to those addressed by the previous version of subsection 212(3.3), but which are both broader in their scope of application and more prescriptive (in particular, they do not allow the taxpayer to designate amounts). These changes are part of the clarifying amendments for multiple-intermediary arrangements.

New subsections 212(3.3) and (3.4) are intended to ensure that subsection 212(3.2) deems interest payments to ultimate funders in the appropriate amounts in cases where a relevant funder has received more funding under relevant funding arrangements – which arrangements are, by their definition in subsection 212(3.8), part of the back-to-back arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation – than the relevant funder has provided under relevant funding arrangements (i.e., the funding "into" the relevant funder exceeds the funding "out"). In these circumstances, absent subsections 212(3.3) and (3.4), the aggregate of the amounts that would be determined for variable C in subsection 212(3.2) in respect of ultimate funders (generally representing the funding that ultimate funders are, collectively, considered to contribute, under relevant funding arrangements, to the particular debt or other obligation) would generally exceed the amount outstanding on the particular debt or other obligation. As a result, the aggregate amount of interest those ultimate funders would be deemed to receive under subsection 212(3.2) would generally exceed the particular amount of interest referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). This would be an inappropriate result.

Subsection 212(3.3) provides the conditions of application for subsection 212(3.4). Specifically, subsection 212(3.4) applies in respect of a particular relevant funder if the amount determined by formula is greater than nil. The formula is A – B, where

Thus, variable A comprises amounts owing by, and specified rights held by, the particular relevant funder, whereas variable B comprises amounts owing to, and specified rights granted by, the particular relevant funder.

Excess funding – deemed funding allocation

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212(3.4)

In general terms, subsection 212(3.4) of the Act applies where more funding goes into a particular relevant funder than it provides.

If subsection 212(3.4) applies in respect of a particular relevant funder, then, for the purposes subsections 212(3.2) to (3.4) (to avoid circularity, other than for the purpose of applying subsections 212(3.3) and (3.4) in respect of the particular relevant funder), each amount that is owed by the particular relevant funder under a relevant funding arrangement, or that is the fair market value of a property in respect of which the particular relevant funder has been granted a specified right under a relevant funding arrangement, is deemed to be the amount determined by the formula C/D x E.

Variable C is the amount owing or the fair market value of the property, as the case may be. This reflects that subsection 212(3.4) applies on a debt-by-debt, and property-by-property, basis.

Variable D is the amount determined for variable A in subsection 212(3.3), which, as noted, represents the total funding provided to the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements.

Variable E is the amount determined for variable B in subsection 212(3.3), which, as noted, represents the total funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements.

In effect, for the purposes of subsections 212(3.2) to (3.4), subsection 212(3.4) reduces the amount of each of the debts owing by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements, and the fair market value of each property in respect of which the particular relevant funder has received a specified right under a relevant funding arrangement, to an amount equal to the proportion, of the total funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements, that that debt owing or the fair market value of the property, as the case may be, is of the total of all the amounts owing and the fair market values of the properties. The end result is that the aggregate of all of the amounts of funding received by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements is deemed to be equal to the total amount of funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements.

Multiple funding arrangements

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212(3.5)

New subsection 212(3.5) of the Act addresses cases where a debt, or a specified right granted in respect of property, funds (indirectly, through back-to-back arrangements) more than one particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). This can occur where the debt or the specified right is a relevant funding arrangement in respect of more than one particular debt or other obligation – in other words, where it is part of more than one back-to-back loan arrangement. To ensure that the full amount of the debt, or the full fair market of the property in respect of which the specified right is granted, is not considered (for purposes of subsections 212(3.2) to (3.4)) to fund each of the particular debts or other obligations, subsection 212(3.5) effectively allocates the amount of the debt or the fair market value of the property, as the case may be, between the particular debts or other obligations on a pro rata basis.

Specifically, subsection 212(3.5) applies if an amount owing by a relevant funder, or a specified right held by the relevant funder, is a relevant funding arrangement in respect of more than one particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). Where this condition is met, for the purposes of subsections 212(3.2) to (3.4), subsection 212(3.5) deems the amount owing, or the fair market value of the property in respect of which the specified right is granted, to be – in respect of each of the particular debts or other obligations in respect of which the amount owing or the specified right is a relevant funding arrangement – the amount determined by the formula A/B x C.

Variable A is the total of all amounts each of which is an amount owing to the relevant funder, or the fair market value of a property in respect of which the relevant funder has granted a specified right, under a relevant funding arrangement in respect of the particular debt or other obligation. Thus, variable A represents the total amount of funding provided by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements that are part of the back-to-back arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation in respect of which the deemed amount under subsection 212(3.5) is being determined.

Variable B is the total of all amounts each of which is an amount owing to the relevant funder, or the fair market value of a property in respect of which the relevant funder has granted a specified right, under all relevant funding arrangements, in respect of all of the particular debts or other obligations. Thus, variable B represents the total amount of funding provided by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements that are part of back-to-back arrangements that include any particular debts or other obligations referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a).

Variable C is the amount owing by the relevant funder, or the fair market value of the property in respect of which the relevant funder holds the specified right.          

In effect, subsection 212(3.5) allocates each funding amount received by a relevant funder (whether in the form of debt funding or a specified right), as between all of the particular debts or other obligations referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a) that are part of back-to-back arrangements that include that funding amount. The portion of a funding amount that is allocated to a particular debt or other obligation is determined based on the proportion that the total funding provided by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements in respect of that particular debt or other obligation is of the total funding provided by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements in respect of all of the particular debts or other obligations.    

Back-to-Back Loan Arrangements – Character substitution

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212(3.6) and (3.7)

New subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7) of the Act are intended to address back-to-back arrangements that raise the same policy concerns as back-to-back loans – in that they can be used to avoid or reduce withholding tax on interest payments – but in respect of which the back-to-back loan rules in subsections 212(3.1) and (3.2) would otherwise not apply (or would not apply with appropriate results) because one or more of the arrangements comprising the back-to-back arrangement is legally not a debt (or a specified right). In particular, the "character substitution" rules in subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7) apply where a Canadian taxpayer has paid a particular amount of interest in respect of a particular debt or other obligation, and the back-to-back loan rules may otherwise be avoided by substituting shares or a lease, license or similar agreement in place of a debt or other obligation within a back-to-back arrangement.

New subsection 212(3.6) provides that new subsection 212(3.7) applies in respect of shares of a particular relevant funder, in respect of a particular relevant funding arrangement, or in respect of a specified royalty arrangement, where certain conditions are met. In the case of shares, paragraph 212(3.6)(a) sets out the following two conditions:

In the case of a specified royalty arrangement – defined in subsection 212(3.94) to mean a lease, license or similar agreement, an assignment or an instalment sale (which definition applies because of the cross-reference in subsection 212(3.8)) – paragraph 212(3.6)(b) sets out the following three conditions for the application of subsection 212(3.7), which largely parallel the conditions for shares in paragraph 212(3.6)(a):

If subsection 212(3.7) applies in respect of a specified royalty arrangement (under which a particular relevant funder is a specified licensee), or in respect of shares of a particular relevant funder, it provides deeming rules that are intended to ensure that the specified royalty arrangement or the shares, as the case may be, are treated under the back-to-back loan rules as though they were instead a relevant funding arrangement. To achieve this result, subsection 212(3.7) provides the following deeming rules, for the purposes of subsections 212(3.1) to (3.8):

Variable A in the formula is the total, at the particular time, of all of the amounts outstanding on debts or other obligations owed to the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements, and the fair market values of all the properties in respect of which the particular relevant funder has granted specified rights under relevant funding arrangements.

Thus, variable A represents all of the funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements. This amount is reduced by the amount in variable B, which represents the total funding provided to the particular relevant funder under actual relevant funding arrangements (as opposed to relevant funding arrangements deemed under paragraph 212(3.7)(a)). This reflects the assumption that, to the extent the particular relevant funder has received amounts of funding under actual relevant funding arrangements, such amounts are the source of the funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements. Therefore, the difference A – B represents the portion (if any) of the funding provided by the particular relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements that is not sourced from funding received by the particular relevant funder under actual relevant funding arrangements. This portion is effectively allocated – by multiplying (A – B) by C/D – as between the one or more relevant funding arrangements that are deemed to exist under paragraph 212(3.7)(a), in proportion to the relative fair market values of the shares or specified royalty arrangements underlying those deemed relevant funding arrangements.

Specifically, the remaining variables are as follows:

Back-to-back loan arrangement – definitions

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212(3.8)

New subsection 212(3.8) of the Act sets out the relevant definitions that apply in the back-to-back loan rules in subsections 212(3.1) to (3.8).

"relevant funder"

A "relevant funder", in respect of a relevant funding arrangement (also defined in this subsection), refers to the creditor in respect of a debt or other obligation, or the grantor of a specified right, as the case may be. In the case where the relevant funding arrangement is the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(c), the relevant funder is the "immediate funder" referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). Any person or partnership that does not deal at arm's length with a relevant funder that deals at arm's length with the taxpayer is also a relevant funder.

"relevant funding arrangement"

The term "relevant funding arrangement", together with the term "relevant funder", is introduced as part of the amendments clarifying the application of the back-to-back loan rules to multiple-intermediary arrangements (for more information, see the commentary on subsection 212(3.1)).

A "relevant funding arrangement" is defined to mean the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a), as well as each debt or other obligation owing by, or specified right granted to, a relevant funder, that meets the conditions in subparagraphs 212(3.1)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a relevant funding arrangement. Thus, the definition applies iteratively in the context of a back-to-back loan arrangement comprising multiple intermediaries, such that all of the debts (or specified rights) within the back-to-back loan arrangement are relevant funding arrangements. For more information, see the commentary on the definition of "funding arrangement" in new subsection 15(2.192). Specified shares, issued by a relevant funder, that meet the conditions in subparagraphs 212(3.1)(c)(i) or (ii) in respect of a relevant funding arrangement, are also a relevant funding arrangement.

"specified licensee"

The definition "specified licensee" is relevant for the purposes of the "character substitution" rules in subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7) of the back-to-back loan rules. A specified licensee is a party to a specified royalty arrangement (also defined in this subsection) that is a lessee, licensee or grantee of a right similar to a right granted under a lease or licence, an assignee or a purchaser. The reference to "a lessee, licensee or grantee of a right similar to a right granted under a lease or licence" parallels the reference in paragraph 212(1)(d) to "rent, royalty or similar payment".

"specified licensor"

Like the definition "specified licensee", the definition "specified licensor" is relevant for the purposes of the "character substitution" rules in subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7) of the back-to-back loan rules. The specified licensor is the other party to a specified royalty arrangement – i.e., the lessor, licensor or grantor of a right similar to a right granted under a lease or licence, the assignor or the seller.

"specified right"

The term "specified right" has the same meaning as in subsection 18(5).

"specified royalty arrangement"

The definition "specified royalty arrangement" has the meaning assigned by subsection 212(3.94), which sets out definitions relevant to the back-to-back royalty rules. For more information, see the commentary on subsection 212(3.94).

This definition is relevant for the purposes of the "character substitution" rules in subsections 212(3.6) and (3.7), which are intended to ensure that the back-to-back loan rules are not avoided by the inclusion, within a back-to-back arrangement, of an arrangement of a different legal character from debt. In that context, "specified royalty arrangement" refers to a class of agreements or arrangements that, when substituted for a debt or other obligation, are effectively treated under the back-to-back loan rules as if they were a debt.

"specified share"

 In the context of the back-to-back loan rules, a "specified share" refers to a share with debt-like features, which – in order to ensure that the rules cannot be avoided through the use of such shares – is treated similarly to debts under those rules.

More specifically, a specified share of a corporation is one where, under the terms and conditions, or any agreement or arrangement relating to, the share

"ultimate funder"

The definition "ultimate funder" is added as part of the amendments clarifying the application of the back-to-back loan rules to multiple-intermediary arrangements. It is relevant mainly for the purposes of paragraph 212(3.1)(d) and subsection 212(3.2).

An ultimate funder is, in effect, a relevant funder (other than the immediate funder referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a)) that is the ultimate source of funding (in the form of either debt financing or the granting of a specified right) that indirectly (through one or more intermediaries) funds the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a). Any relevant funder, within the back-to-back arrangement that includes the particular debt or other obligation, that acts solely as an intermediary (or "conduit") for funding originating from another relevant funder within the arrangement is not an ultimate funder.

More specifically, there are two situations in which a relevant funder is an ultimate funder under this definition. The first, set out in paragraph (a) of the definition, is where the relevant funder is not a debtor, or a holder of a specified right, under a relevant funding arrangement. A relevant funder meeting this condition is an ultimate source of funding under the back-to-back arrangement, since the relevant funder necessarily has provided funding under a relevant funding arrangement, but without having received any funding that is connected to the back-to-back arrangement. The second situation, set out in paragraph (b) of the definition, is where, although the relevant funder is a debtor, or holder of a specified right, under a relevant funding arrangement, the amount that would – if the relevant funder were an ultimate funder – be determined for C in the formula in subsection 212(3.2) is greater than nil. The amount determined for C would be greater than nil only if the total funding provided by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements (not exceeding the amount outstanding on the particular debt or other obligation referred to in paragraph 212(3.1)(a)) is greater than the total amount of funding received by the relevant funder under relevant funding arrangements.

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212(3.9) to (3.94)

Part XIII of the Act imposes an income tax (commonly referred to as "non-resident withholding tax") on various types of property income earned by non-residents from sources in Canada. Paragraph 212(1)(d) describes various amounts, generally in the nature of rent, royalties and similar payments, on which non-resident withholding tax is imposed.

Section 212 is amended to add new "back-to-back royalty" rules that apply with respect to the various amounts described in paragraph 212(1)(d). These new rules, set out in subsections 212(3.9) to (3.94), are modelled on the back-to-back loan rules, also contained in Part XIII of the Act. These amendments are intended to ensure that non-resident withholding tax is not avoided in respect of payments subject to paragraph 212(1)(d), by an arrangement in which an intermediary entity is interposed between a Canadian-resident payor and a non-resident payee.        

These new rules may apply, for example, where a Canadian resident makes a royalty payment to a non-resident person (referred to as the "immediate licensor") and another non-resident (referred to as an "ultimate licensor") receives a payment from the immediate licensor under a sufficiently connected license agreement (referred to as a "relevant royalty arrangement"). The new rules apply only if the back-to-back arrangement results in a reduction of the non-resident withholding tax that would be payable if the payment were made directly to the ultimate licensor instead of the immediate licensor.

Where applicable, the rules generally deem the Canadian resident to make a rent, royalty or similar payment to one or more ultimate licensors. The amount of the deemed payment is determined by reference to the amount of non-resident withholding tax that was avoided by making the payment to the immediate licensor instead of directly to the ultimate licensor.

New subsection 212(3.9) sets out the conditions for the application of the operative "deemed payment" rule in subsection 212(3.91). New subsections 212(3.92) and (3.93) set out rules that apply where non-resident withholding tax may otherwise be avoided by substituting an arrangement of a different legal character in place of a lease, licence or similar agreement between an intermediary entity and another party to an arrangement. New subsection 212(3.94) contains definitions for the purposes of new subsections 212(3.9) to (3.94).

New subsections 212(3.9) to (3.94) apply in respect of amounts paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, rent, royalty or similar payments after 2016

Back-to-back arrangement – rents, royalties, similar payments

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212(3.9)

In order for the operative rule in new subsection 212(3.91) of the Act to apply at any time in respect of a taxpayer, the three conditions set out in subsection 212(3.9) must be satisfied.

The first, in paragraph 212(3.9)(a), requires that a taxpayer pay or credit a particular amount at the time as, on account, or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, rent, royalty or similar payment, in respect of a particular lease, licence or similar agreement, to a non-resident person or a partnership any member of which is a non-resident person (referred to as the "immediate licensor"). The term "rent, royalty or similar payment" is defined in subsection 212(3.94) to mean a payment to which paragraph 212(1)(d) applies, and "lease, licence or similar agreement"  is defined in the same subsection to mean an agreement under which such a payment is or could be made.

The second condition, in paragraph 212(3.9)(b), requires, that (at any time at or after the time when the particular lease, licence or similar agreement referred to in paragraph (3.9)(a) was entered into) a relevant licensor in respect of a particular relevant royalty arrangement has an obligation to pay or credit an amount (either immediately or in the future and either absolutely or contingently) to a person or partnership in respect of a specified royalty arrangement. For these purposes, a "relevant licensor" is defined in new subsection 212(3.94) to include the immediate licensor. In addition, a specified royalty arrangement is defined as a lease, license or similar agreement, an assignment or an instalment sale. Accordingly, the first requirement in paragraph 212(3.9)(b) will be satisfied whenever the immediate licensor has an obligation to pay or credit an amount under such an agreement or arrangement.

The second requirement in paragraph 212(3.9)(b) is that the specified royalty arrangement (or the payment under that arrangement) under which a relevant licensor (e.g., the immediate licensor) has the obligation to pay or credit an amount must be connected to a relevant royalty arrangement in one of the following two ways. The first way is if the amount that the relevant licensor is obligated to pay or credit is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to either

The second way in which a required connection can be established between the specified royalty arrangement and a particular relevant royalty arrangement is if it can reasonably be concluded that the particular relevant royalty arrangement was entered into, or was permitted to remain in effect, because either the specified royalty arrangement was entered into or was permitted to remain in effect, or it was anticipated that the specified royalty arrangement would be entered into or remain in effect.

The design of paragraph 212(3.9)(b) is similar to that of paragraph 212(3.1)(c) in the back-to-back loan rules. For more information, see the commentary on paragraph 212(3.1)(c)).

The third condition, in paragraph 212(3.9)(c), is that the tax that would be payable under Part XIII in respect of the particular amount described in paragraph (3.9)(a), if the particular amount were paid or credited to an ultimate licensor rather than the immediate licensor, is greater than the tax payable under Part XIII (determined without reference to subsections 212(3.9) and (3.91) in respect of the particular amount). The term "ultimate licensor" is defined in subsection 212(3.94) to mean a relevant licensor (other than the immediate licensor), in respect of a relevant royalty arrangement, that is not, under a relevant royalty arrangement, a lessee, a licensee or a grantee of a right similar to a right granted under a lease or licence, an assignee or a purchaser. In other words, an ultimate licensor is a relevant licensor that does not act as an intermediary within the back-to-back arrangement.

Back-to-back arrangement – rents, royalties, similar payments

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212(3.91)

New subsection 212(3.91) of the Act is the operative rule providing the consequences when the conditions in subsection 212(3.9) are satisfied. If subsection 212(3.91) applies to a taxpayer at a particular time, then, for the purposes of paragraph 212(1)(d), the taxpayer is deemed to pay an amount – of the same character as the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) – to each particular ultimate licensor. By providing that the deemed payment has the same character as the particular amount, the rule is intended to ensure that the withholding tax result under the rules is effectively the same result that would have occurred had the particular amount instead been paid directly to the ultimate licensor(s). 

The amount that each particular ultimate licensor is deemed to receive from the taxpayer is determined by the following formula:

(A x B/C) x (D – E)/D

Variable A is the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a). This is the amount paid or credited by the taxpayer to the immediate licensor. Variable A reflects the fact that subsection 212(3.91) applies separately with respect to each particular amount paid or credited by the taxpayer.

Variable B is, first, the portion of the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) that is demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Minister of National Revenue, to be reasonably allocable to the particular ultimate licensor (paragraph (a) of the description of B). If there is one ultimate licensor, all of the amount will be allocated to it. If there is more than one ultimate licensor (e.g., because of the co-ownership of licensed property), a reasonable allocation must be made. The reasonableness of a particular allocation is intended to be determined having regard to relevant factors, such as the relative amounts of payments received by the ultimate licensors under relevant funding arrangements. If no such allocation is established, to the satisfaction of the Minister, as being reasonable, then variable B is one (paragraph (b) of the description of B). Setting this value at one (together with the corresponding rule in paragraph (b) of the description of C) provides an automatic mechanism to allocate evenly between the ultimate licensors.

The amount determined for variable C is linked to the amount determined for variable B; if the amount determined for variable B is under its paragraph (a), then the amount determined for variable C will similarly be determined under its paragraph (a). Paragraph (a) will apply only if it is established, to the satisfaction of the Minister, that the amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) has been reasonably allocated between the ultimate licensors. If this requirement is met, then variable C is the total of all of the amounts allocable to the ultimate licensors.

If an amount is not demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Minister, to be reasonably allocable to each particular ultimate funder, the amount for variable C is equal to the number of ultimate licensors (paragraph (b) of the description of C). Together with the result under paragraph (b) of variable B, this effectively allocates the amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) evenly between the ultimate licensors.

The amount determined for variable D also is linked to the amounts determined for variables B and C. If the latter amounts were determined under paragraph (a) of variables B and C, then the amount determined for variable D will be under its paragraph (b). In that case, the amount will be equal to the rate of tax that would be imposed under Part XIII on the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) if the particular amount were paid by the taxpayer to the particular ultimate licensor. Otherwise, if paragraph (a) of the description of D applies, then the amount for variable D is equal to the highest rate of tax that would be imposed under Part XIII on the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a) if the particular amount were paid by the taxpayer to any of the ultimate licensors at that time. As a result, where there is one ultimate licensor, no allocation is necessary.

Variable E is the rate of tax imposed under Part XIII on the immediate licensor in respect of the particular amount referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a).

Example Assumptions

Analysis

The conditions in clause 212(3.9)(b)(i)(A) are also satisfied since, at a time after the licensing agreement was entered into, a relevant licensor (i.e., Subco, as the "immediate licensor") has an obligation to pay an amount to a person (i.e., Forco) in respect of a specified royalty arrangement (i.e., the assignment agreement), and the amount is determined by reference to an amount paid in respect of a relevant royalty arrangement (i.e., 90% of the $50,000 payment received from Canco in respect of the licensing agreement, which is equal to $45,000).

Back-to-back arrangement – character substitution

ITA
212(3.92) and (3.93)

New subsections 212(3.92) and (3.93) of the Act are intended to address back-to-back arrangements that raise the same policy concerns as back-to-back royalty arrangements – in that these arrangements attempt to avoid or reduce withholding tax on rents, royalties or similar  payments, by transacting through one or more intermediaries – but in respect of which the back-to-back royalty rules in subsections 212(3.9) and (3.91) would otherwise not apply (or would not apply with appropriate results) because one or more of the arrangements comprising the back-to-back arrangement is legally not a lease, licence or similar or similar agreement (or a specified royalty arrangement). In particular, the "character substitution" rules in subsections 212(3.92) and (3.93) apply in respect of shares or a debt or other obligation that are part of a back-to-back royalty arrangement.

New subsection 212(3.92) provides that new subsection 212(3.93) applies in respect of shares of a particular relevant licensor, in respect of a particular relevant royalty arrangement, or in respect of an amount outstanding as or on account of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount, where certain conditions are met. In the case of shares, paragraph 212(3.92)(a) sets out the following two conditions:

In the case of an amount outstanding as or on account of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount, paragraph 212(3.92)(b) sets out the following two conditions for the application of subsection 212(3.93), which largely parallel the conditions for shares in paragraph 212(3.92)(a):

If subsection 212(3.93) applies in respect of a debt or other obligation (under which a particular relevant licensor is a debtor), or in respect of shares of a particular relevant licensor, it provides deeming rules that are intended to ensure that the debt or other obligation or the shares, as the case may be, are treated under the back-to-back royalty rules as though they were instead a relevant royalty arrangement. To achieve this result, subsection 212(3.93) provides the following deeming rules, for the purposes of subsections 212(3.9) to (3.94):

Example

Assumptions

Analysis

Back-to-back arrangement – definitions

ITA
212(3.94)

New subsection 212(3.94) of the Act sets out the relevant definitions that apply in subsections 212(3.9) to (3.94).

"lease, licence or similar agreement"

A "lease, licence or similar agreement" means an agreement under which a "rent, royalty or similar payment" (also defined in this subsection) is or could be made.

"relevant licensor"

A relevant licensor, in respect of a relevant royalty arrangement (also defined in this subsection), refers to

If the relevant royalty arrangement is the particular lease, licence or similar agreement referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a), the relevant licensor is the immediate licensor referred to in that paragraph.

"relevant royalty arrangement"

A "relevant royalty arrangement" is defined to mean the particular lease, license or similar agreement referred to in paragraph 212(3.9)(a), as well as each specified royalty arrangement (under which a relevant licensor has an obligation to pay or credit an amount) that meets the conditions in subparagraphs (3.9)(b)(i) or (ii) in respect of a relevant royalty arrangement. Thus, the definition applies iteratively in the context of a back-to-back loan arrangement comprising multiple intermediaries, such that all of the specified royalty arrangements within the back-to-back arrangement are relevant royalty arrangements. For more information, see the commentary on the definition "funding arrangement" in new subsection 15(2.192).

"rent, royalty or similar payment"

A "rent, royalty or similar payment" means a rent, royalty or similar payment described in paragraph 212(1)(d). For greater certainty, the term has the same inclusions and exclusions as in paragraph 212(1)(d). These inclusions are described in subparagraphs 212(1)(d)(i) to (v) and the exclusions are described in subparagraphs 212(1)(d)(vi) to (xii).

"specified royalty arrangement"

A "specified royalty arrangement" means a lease, license or similar agreement, an assignment or an instalment sale.

"ultimate licensor"

An "ultimate licensor" means a relevant licensor (other than the immediate licensor), in respect of a relevant royalty arrangement, that is not, under a relevant royalty arrangement, a lessee, a licensee or a grantee of a right similar to a right granted under a lease or licence, an assignee or a purchaser. It therefore represents the final link in the back-to-back chain.

Excise Tax Act and Related Regulations
Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments

Clause 80

Period for assessment

ETA
298

Existing section 298 of the Excise Tax Act (the "Act") sets out the limitation periods for assessments and reassessments under Part IX of the Act.

The amendments to section 298 described below come into force on the day on which the Act implementing this clause receives royal assent, except that they do not apply in respect of appeals instituted on or before that day.

Subclause 80(1)
Exception

ETA
298(3)

Existing subsection 298(3) overrides the normal limitation period for reassessments made to give effect to a decision on an objection or an appeal and for reassessments made for the purpose of disposing of a person's appeal with their written consent.

Subsection 298(3) is amended by adding new paragraph (c), which provides that the normal limitation period is also overridden to give effect to an alternative basis or argument advanced by the Minister of National Revenue under amended subsection 298(6.1).

Subclause 80(2)
Alternative basis or argument

ETA
298(6.1)

Existing subsection 298(6.1) provides in certain circumstances that the Crown has the right, on an appeal of a GST/HST assessment, to advance an alternative argument in support of that assessment even if the normal reassessment period has expired.

In light of a recent court decision that called into question the scope of this right, subsection 298(6.1) is amended to clarify that an alternative basis or argument may be advanced in support of an assessment of a person or in support of all or any portion of the total amount determined on assessment to be payable or remittable by a person under Part IX of the Act. This would allow, for instance, a reduced liability in relation to one item included in the computation of an assessment to be offset by an increased liability in relation to another item. The existing protection for taxpayers under subsection 298(6.1), which provides that an alternative basis or argument nevertheless cannot be advanced to the prejudice of the right of a taxpayer to introduce relevant evidence to rebut the alternative basis or argument, is unaffected by this amendment.

Subclause 80(3)
Limitation

ETA
298(6.2)

New subsection 298(6.2) sets out a limitation in relation to a reassessment of a person that is made to give effect to an alternative basis or argument in support of a particular assessment of a person advanced by the Minister of National Revenue under subsection 298(6.1). Under this limitation rule, if the reassessment of the person is made at any time after the normal reassessment period under subsection 298(1) or (2), the Minister shall not reassess for an amount that is greater than the total amount of the particular assessment.

Exception

ETA
298(6.3)

New subsection 298(6.3) sets out an exception to the rule in new subsection 298(6.2). In particular, subsection (6.3) provides that, if the following condition is met in relation to any portion of an amount determined on reassessment to be payable or remittable, subsection (6.2) does not apply to that portion. The condition to be met is that, if Part IX of the Act were read without reference to subsection 298(6.1), the Minister of National Revenue would be entitled to reassess the portion of the amount after the normal reassessment period under subsection 298(1) or (2). In other words, if the Minister is permitted under Part IX to reassess an amount without the application of the rule in subsection (6.1), which allows the Minister to advance an alternative basis or argument after the normal reassessment period, then subsection (6.2) does not prevent the Minister from reassessing that amount.

Eligible Capital Property

Clause 81

Definition

ETA
123(1)

"capital property"

Subsection 123(1) of the Act defines terms used in Part IX of the Act and in the Schedules to the Act relating to the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST).

The existing definition "capital property" for GST/HST purposes in the Act largely parallels the definition "capital property" in the Income Tax Act. As a result, property of a person is capital property for GST/HST purposes if the property is also capital property for income tax purposes or would be capital property for income tax purposes if the person were a taxpayer under the Income Tax Act, except for property belonging to Class 12, 14, or 44 of Schedule II to the Income Tax Regulations. Since property that is currently eligible capital property (ECP) is effectively excluded from capital property under the Income Tax Act, ECP is also currently excluded from capital property for GST/HST purposes.

Changes to the Income Tax Act to repeal the current ECP regime and replace it with a new capital cost allowance class – Class 14.1 – will result in all ECP becoming capital property under the Income Tax Act effective January 1, 2017. As a result, without amending the definition "capital property" for GST/HST purposes, these changes would also make ECP become capital property for GST/HST purposes.

The definition "capital property" for GST/HST purposes in the Act is amended to exclude property described in new Class 14.1 of Schedule II to the Income Tax Regulations. This amendment provides for property that was ECP under the Income Tax Act immediately prior to January 1, 2017 to remain excluded from the definition of capital property for GST/HST purposes as of January 1, 2017.

This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2017.

Clause 82

Definitions

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
2(1)

Existing subsection 2(1) of the Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations (the Regulations) contains definitions of terms used in the Regulations.

"eligible capital property"

The definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is repealed. This repeal is made as a consequence of the repeal of the eligible capital property rules under the Income Tax Act, including the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 248(1) of that Act, and the creation of a new capital cost allowance class under that Act (i.e., Class 14.1 in Schedule II to the Income Tax Regulations). Under the existing GST/HST streamlined accounting rules, "eligible capital property" and "capital assets", as defined in subsection 2(1), are subject to similar treatment. Accordingly, to maintain this similar treatment subsequent to the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property", property that was formerly included under that definition will now be included under the definition "capital asset".

This amendment applies in respect of supplies made on or after January 1, 2017.

"capital asset"

The definition "capital asset" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is amended by setting out the existing meaning of "capital asset" under new paragraph (a) of the definition and by adding new paragraph (b). As a result of the creation of new Class 14.1 in Schedule II of the Income Tax Regulations, property that was formerly included in the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) will become capital property within the meaning of the Income Tax Act and therefore will now be included under paragraph (a) of the definition "capital asset".

New paragraph (b) includes certain other property within the meaning of capital asset. In particular, if a supply of property was made at any time before January 1, 2017 and the property was considered eligible capital property at that time within the meaning of the Income Tax Act, the property would not have been considered capital property within the meaning of that Act. As a result, the property would not fall under paragraph (a) of the definition "capital asset". Accordingly, to maintain consistency under the GST/HST streamlined accounting rules for such property that was formerly included in the repealed definition "eligible capital property", paragraph (b) results in the property being included in the definition "capital asset".

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Basic Threshold Amount

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
2(2)

Existing subsection 2(2) of the Regulations sets out the formula to calculate the basic threshold amount for a reporting period of a registrant for the purposes of the Regulations. For a registrant that is using the Quick Method of Accounting, the basic threshold amount is relevant in determining the quick-method remittance rate of the registrant under subsection 15(5) of the Regulations.

The descriptions of A and B in the formula are amended to remove references to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1).

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Total Threshold Amount

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
2(3)

Existing subsection 2(3) of the Regulations sets out the formulas to determine the total threshold amount for a reporting period of a registrant for the purposes of the Regulations. The total threshold amount is relevant in ascertaining the registrant's eligibility under section 16 of the Regulations to determine its net tax using the Quick Method of Accounting.

The descriptions of A and B in the formula in paragraph 2(3)(a) are amended to remove references to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1). Similarly, the descriptions of D and E in the formula in paragraph 2(3)(b) are amended to remove references to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the same definition.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Clause 83

Definitions

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
15(1)

Existing subsection 15(1) of the Regulations contains definitions of terms used in Part IV of the Regulations, which relates to the Quick Method of Accounting for GST/HST.

"specified property"

The definition "specified property" in subsection 15(1) of the Regulations is amended to remove a reference to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

"specified supply"

Paragraph (a) of the definition "specified supply" in subsection 15(1) of the Regulations is amended to remove a reference to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Clause 84

Definitions

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
19(1)

Existing subsection 19(1) of the Regulations contains definitions of terms used in Part V of the Regulations, which relates to the Special Quick Method of Accounting for GST/HST.

"specified property"

The definition "specified property" in subsection 19(1) of the Regulations is repealed. This repeal is made as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations. Other than eligible capital property, the existing meaning of specified property includes only capital assets of a registrant. Therefore, the defined term "specified property" is no longer needed and existing references to "specified property" in Part V of the Regulations are replaced with references to capital assets.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

"designated supply"

Paragraph (a) of the definition "designated supply" in subsection 19(1) of the Regulations is amended to remove a reference to "eligible capital property" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "eligible capital property" in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

"specified supply"

Paragraphs (b) and (c) of the definition "specified supply" in subsection 19(1) of the Regulations are amended to replace references to "specified property" with references to "capital assets" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "specified property" in subsection 19(1) of the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Special Quick-Method Rate – University or Public College

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
19(3)(c)(i)

The description of B in the formula in subparagraph 19(3)(c)(i) of the Regulations is amended to replace a reference to "specified property" with a reference to "capital assets" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "specified property" in subsection 19(1).

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Clause 85

Calculation of Net Tax

Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations
21(1)

Existing subsection 21(1) of the Regulations sets out the calculation that generally applies to determine the net tax for a reporting period of a registrant if the registrant has elected to determine its net tax using the Special Quick Method of Accounting set out under Part V of the Regulations.

Subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (iii) of the description of C in the first formula in subsection 21(1) are amended to replace references to "specified property" with references to "capital assets" as a consequence of the repeal of the definition "specified property" in subsection 19(1) of the Regulations.

This amendment comes into force, or is deemed to have come into force, on January 1, 2017.

Excise Act, 2001
Alternative Arguments in Support of Assessments

Clause 86

Limitation period for assessments

EA, 2001
191

Existing section 191 of the Excise Act, 2001 (the "Act") sets out the limitation periods for assessments and reassessments under the Act.

The amendments to section 191 described below come into force on the day on which the Act implementing this clause receives royal assent, except that they do not apply in respect of appeals instituted on or before that day.

Subclause 86(1)
Exception

EA, 2001
191(3)

Existing subsection 191(3) overrides the normal limitation period for reassessments made to give effect to a decision on an objection or an appeal and for reassessments made for the purpose of disposing of a person's appeal with their written consent.

Subsection 191(3) is amended by adding new paragraph (c), which provides that the normal limitation period is also overridden to give effect to an alternative basis or argument advanced by the Minister of National Revenue under amended subsection 191(7).

Subclause 86(2)
Alternative basis or argument

EA, 2001
191(7)

Existing subsection 191(7) provides in certain circumstances that the Crown has the right, on an appeal of an excise assessment, to advance an alternative argument in support of that assessment even if the normal reassessment period has expired.

In light of a recent court decision that called into question the scope of this right, subsection 191(7) is amended to clarify that an alternative basis or argument may be advanced in support of an assessment of a person or in support of all or any portion of the total amount determined on assessment to be payable or remittable by a person under the Act. This would allow, for instance, a reduced liability in relation to one item included in the computation of an assessment to be offset by an increased liability in relation to another item. The existing protection for taxpayers under subsection 191(7), which provides that an alternative basis or argument nevertheless cannot be advanced to the prejudice of the right of a taxpayer to introduce relevant evidence to rebut the alternative basis or argument, is unaffected by this amendment.

Subclause 86(3)
Limitation

EA, 2001
191(7.1)

New subsection 191(7.1) sets out a limitation in relation to a reassessment of a person that is made to give effect to an alternative basis or argument in support of a particular assessment of a person advanced by the Minister of National Revenue under subsection 191(7). Under this limitation rule, if the reassessment of the person is made at any time after the normal reassessment period under subsection 191(1) or (2), the Minister shall not reassess for an amount that is greater than the total amount of the particular assessment.

Exception

EA, 2001
191(7.2)

New subsection 191(7.2) sets out an exception to the rule in new subsection 191(7.1). In particular, subsection (7.2) provides that, if the following condition is met in relation to any portion of an amount determined on reassessment to be payable or remittable, subsection (7.1) does not apply to that portion. The condition to be met is that, if the Act were read without reference to subsection 191(7), the Minister of National Revenue would be entitled to reassess the portion of the amount after the normal reassessment period under subsection 191(1) or (2). In other words, if the Minister is permitted under the Act to reassess an amount without the application of the rule in subsection (7), which allows the Minister to advance an alternative basis or argument after the normal reassessment period, then subsection (7.1) does not prevent the Minister from reassessing that amount.

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