Income Tax Severed Letters - 2010-08-20

Ruling

2010 Ruling 2010-0358061R3 F - Butterfly Transaction

Unedited CRA Tags
55(3)(b), 85(1), 148(9)

Principales Questions: Split-up butterfly transaction.

Position Adoptée: Favourable Rulings given.

Raisons: In compliance with the law and previous positions.

Technical Interpretation - External

12 August 2010 External T.I. 2010-0371131E5 - Payment from UK government pension plan

Unedited CRA Tags
56(1)(a)(i); 81; 152(4); 161; 248(1); 248(11); Regulation 4300 and 4301

Principal Issues: (1) Is a UK pension paid to a Canadian resident subject to income tax? (2) What are the tax implications of not previously reporting this income? (3) How should this income be reported on previously assessed tax returns?

Position: (1) Yes, unless specifically excluded from income under the Act or the Canada-UK Income Tax Convention. (2) Interest and penalties may be assessed on the unpaid tax liability. (3) Amendments to tax returns can be made using form T1 Adjustment Request. To avoid possible penalties, the information can be reported using CRA's Voluntary Disclosure Program.

Reasons: (1) The UK pension payment made to a Canadian resident would be subject to income tax under subparagraph 56(1)(a)(i) of the Act. (2) In accordance with subsection 152(4), CRA can reassess beyond the normal reassessment period if the taxpayer has made misrepresentation. Pursuant to section 161 of the Act, interest is assessed on any unpaid liability. (3) The Voluntary Disclosure Program encourages taxpayers to come forward and correct inaccurate or incomplete information or to disclose information they have not reported during previous dealings with the CRA, without penalty or prosecution.

11 August 2010 External T.I. 2010-0375511E5 - Taxation of annuity received from Switzerland

Unedited CRA Tags
12.2; 56(1)(d); 60(a); 60.03; 118(3); 118(7); 128.1(1); 138(12); ITR 300 to 309

Principal Issues: 1) Is a guaranteed annuity of $XXXXXXXXXX received in respect of an annuity contract purchased from a life insurance company in Switzerland taxable as income to the Canadian resident or is it a return of capital? 2) Is the bonus annuity, representing interest earned, considered pension income or investment income earned in Canada?

Position: 1) The tax treatment of the payments received from an annuity contract depends on the type of contract, which cannot be determined based on the information provided. Generally, annuity payments representing a return of capital are not taxed. 2) Investment income earned on the principal from the annuity contract is generally considered income from property. Whether it is also be considered as "eligible pension income", for the pension credit provided for in subsection 118(3) of the Act or the ability to split eligible pension income with the individual's spouse or common-law partner under section 60.03, is a question of fact.

Reasons: Interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Act.

10 August 2010 External T.I. 2010-0374871E5 - Wholly dependent person tax credit

Unedited CRA Tags
118(1)(b); 118(4); 118(5); 118(5.1); 56.1(4); 60(b)

Principal Issues: Under what circumstances could spouses who are separated and reside apart each claim the 118(1)(b) wholly dependant person tax credit in respect of their two children for whom they share full custody?

Position: Question of fact as it depends on the particular circumstances.

Reasons: Interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Act.

10 August 2010 External T.I. 2010-0375251E5 - Province of Employment

Unedited CRA Tags
153(1)(a), Regulation 100(4)

Principal Issues: What is the province of employment for an employee who lives in and has his sales territory in Quebec and who reports to an office and manager in Ontario.

Position: Province of employment is Ontario.

Reasons: Regulation 100(4).

Technical Interpretation - Internal

30 July 2010 Internal T.I. 2010-0374531I7 - Taxpayer req. adj. to change a loss carryback

Unedited CRA Tags
s. 152(1), (3.1)(a), (4), (4)(b)(i) & 6(c), and 165

Principal Issues: Whether the CRA should agree to a taxpayer requested adjustment to reduce the amount of losses previously carried back to a prior tax year to create taxable income in that prior year.

Position: No.

Reasons: A taxpayer requested adjustment is not meant to be an alternative way of formally objecting to an assessment after the objection deadline under section 165 has expired.