Income Tax Severed Letters - 2008-05-30

Ruling

Unedited CRA Tags: 
66.1(6) 66.2(5) 248(1) mineral resource

Principal Issues: A) Whether expenses relating to an underground exploration program to be carried out will be related to a mine that has come into production in reasonable commercial quantities, or to a potential or actual extension thereof.
B) Whether expenses relating to an underground exploration program to be carried out will qualify for inclusion under paragraph (f) of the definition of CEE.

Position: A) No. B) Yes.

Reasons: Based on the facts of the situation, written opinions received from Natural Resources Canada in relation to this case, as well as provided that any economic mineralization found pursuant to the underground exploration program is not exploited using the existing surface and underground infrastructures. Favourable rulings issued in XXXXXXXXXX 2004, XXXXXXXXXX 2005 and XXXXXXXXXX 2006 with respect to this particular issue. Issuance of the same favourable rulings, in respect of the same issues and the same Project, that would cover an additional XXXXXXXXXX -month period.

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84(4.1) 89(1) 4800(2)

Principal Issues: Whether a corporation resulting from a vertical amalgamation can elect to cease being a public corporation under paragraph (c) of the definition of "public corporation" in subsection 89(1) where its shares that were previously listed disappeared on the amalgamation. The purpose of the election is to ensure that the corporation can return capital without being subject to the application of subsection 84(4.1). The intention of the corporation's shareholder is to replace that capital with debt. The corporation is controlled by a foreign corporation.

Reasons: Yes. The corporation is controlled by a foreign corporation and in these circumstances, as in file 2000-0004789, we consider that the words of subparagraph (a)(i) of regulation 4800(2) support that conclusion when read in their entire context and in their grammatical and ordinary sense harmoniously with the scheme of the Act, the object of the Act and the intention of Parliament.

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55(3)(b) 55(3.1) 55(2) 191(3)

Principal Issues: Additional facts and modifications to the proposed transactions brought to our attention.

Position: Confirmation that, subject to the conditions, limitations, qualifications and comments set out therein, the original Ruling no. E 2006-0199781R3 will continue to be binding on the CRA.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
5(1) 6(1)(a) 248(1)

Principal Issues: Whether the creation and allocation of health care spending credits under the Company's flexible health care benefit plan, which is linked to a bonus the employee may receive, would result in employment income to an employee?

Position: No.

Reasons: The allocation of the credits takes place under a private health services plan as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Act and meets the administrative guidelines as described in IT-339R2 and IT-529.

Ministerial Correspondence

Unedited CRA Tags: 
6801

Principal Issues: Why can a participant in a deferred salary leave plan not receive any income from an employer by working part time for the employer during a leave of absence ?

Position: The applicable regulations prevent the employee receiving income from the employer during the leave of absence.

Reasons: The regulations are written to ensure such plans continue to be used for their original purpose of funding a leave of absence from employment.

Technical Interpretation - External

Unedited CRA Tags: 
5; 6(1)(a); 3

Principal Issues: Under what circumstances, if any, would the free bus passes issued by XXXXXXXXXX cease to be treated as tax-free benefits as described in paragraphs 43 and 44 of Interpretation IT-470R (Consolidated) Employees' Fringe Benefits.

Position: See attached response.

Reasons: The law.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
75(2) 75(3) 94(1) 94(3)

21 May 2008 External T.I. 2007-0259271E5 F - Fiducie non-résidente - contribuant immigrant -- attach -- Subsection 94(10)

residence in Canada prior to becoming non-resident also taken into account

For the purposes of the definitions of resident contributor and connected contributor, a period of residence in Canada that occurs before a period...

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Principales Questions: Aux fins de la définition de contribuant résidant et de contribuant rattaché et de l'alinéa 75(3)c.2), tels que proposés dans le projet de loi C-10 du 9 novembre 2006, est-ce qu'une période de résidence au Canada qui survient avant une période de non-résidence suivie du retour au Canada fait partie des périodes comptées pour déterminer si le nombre de mois excède 60?

Position Adoptée: Oui

Raisons: Libellé du texte des modifications proposées.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
212(1)(b)(viii)

Principal Issues: Does a timeshare membership for a resort outside Canada constitute an interest in real property for the purposes of subparagraph 212(1)(b)(viii) of the Income Tax Act (the "Act")?

Position: Unable to interpret.

Reasons: Paragraph 212(1)(b) was amended by the 2007 Federal budget, resulting in the interpretation request, as it was submitted, requiring the interpretation of a previous version of the Act to transactions completed in the past.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
39(2) 80.01(3) 80(1) 80(2)(k)

Principal Issues: 1. Whether on the amalgamation of a debtor and creditor, a foreign currency denominated loan that is deemed settled pursuant to 80.01(3) will result in a capital gain or capital loss to the creditor pursuant to subsection 39(2) of the Income Tax Act? 2.Whether on the amalgamation of a debtor and creditor, a foreign currency denominated loan that is deemed settled pursuant to 80.01(3) will result in a forgiven amount (as defined in subsection 80(1)) to the debtor or result in a capital gain pursuant to subsection 39(2) of the Income Tax Act?

Position: 1. By virtue of 80.01(3), there is no capital gain or capital loss to the creditor. "2. There is also no forgiven amount under subsection 80(1) and, under the facts of this particular case, no capital gain or loss to the debtor".

Reasons: Interaction of 80.01(3) and 80(2)(k)

Unedited CRA Tags: 
118.2 126(1)

6 May 2008 External T.I. 2007-0254661E5 F - Partie B Medicare -- attach -- Non-Business-Income Tax

U.S. Medicare Part B premiums are not non-business income tax

In finding that premiums paid for U.S. Medicare Part B by a recipient of U.S. pension income did not qualify as foreign non-business income tax,...

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Locations of other summaries Wordcount
Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 248 - Subsection 248(1) - Private Health Services Plan U.S. Medicare Part B premiums may be eligible respecting the medical tax credit 82

6 May 2008 External T.I. 2007-0254661E5 F - Partie B Medicare -- attach -- Private Health Services Plan

U.S. Medicare Part B premiums may be eligible respecting the medical tax credit

Regarding whether premiums paid to the U.S. Medicare (Part B) plan qualified for the medical expense credit, CRA stated:

Medicare appears to...

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Locations of other summaries Wordcount
Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 126 - Subsection 126(7) - Non-Business-Income Tax U.S. Medicare Part B premiums are not non-business income tax 124

Principales Questions: Est-ce que les primes payées pour la Partie B de Medicare des États-Unis par un prestataire d'un revenu de pension américain sont considérées comme faisant partie de l'impôt sur le revenu étranger ne provenant pas d'une entreprise ou, alternativement, comme donnant droit à un crédit de frais médicaux?

Position Adoptée: Les primes payées par un prestataire d'un revenu de pension pour la Partie B de US Medicare ne font pas partie de l'impôt sur le revenu ne provenant pas d'une entreprise aux fins du crédit d'impôt étranger au paragraphe 126(1) de la Loi.
Pas de position définitive sur l'admissibilité des primes à titre de frais médicaux. Commentaires généraux sur les prìmes à un régime privé d'assurance-maladie.

Raisons: L''impôt sur la sécurité sociale des États-Unis comprend le Medicare Tax soit les prélévements salariaux acquittés par les salariés mais pas les primes payées, par les prestataires de sécurité sociale, pour la Partie B de Medicare.
Le régime semble comporter les éléments de base d'un régime d'assurance, tels que décrits au paragraphe 3 du Bulletin d'interprétation IT-339R2. Cependant, il faudrait examiner les détails de la Partie B de Medicare pour déterminer si les frais couverts sont limités aux frais médicaux décrits au paragraphe 118.2(2) et pour déterminer les personnes couvertes par la Partie B.

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118.2(2)(m) R. 5700(c.1)

Principal Issues: A taxpayer and his family suffer from eczema and have a prescription from their doctor for a water softener for purposes of alleviating the conditions of this ailment. The taxpayer wants to claim the water softener under the medical expense tax credit provisions, and, in particular, under paragraph 118.2(2)(m) of the Act and paragraph 5700(c.1) which refers to a "...water filter or purifier for use by an individual who is suffering from ... a severe chronic immune system disregulation to cope with or overcome that ailment."

Position: It is a question of fact whether all of the conditions in the relevant METC provisions are met. However, it is our view that a water softener may be considered a water filter or purifier for these purposes.

Reasons: A water filter or purifier is not defined in the Act and thus, under their ordinary meanings, encompass a water softener.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
110.6(1.3)

Principales Questions: (1) Relativement à la période de deux ans sur laquelle se fonde le calcul du revenu à la disposition 110.6(1.3)b)(i)(A), lorsqu'une des deux années comprend l'année de la disposition d'un bien agricole admissible, est-ce que cette période de deux ans inclut le moment de la disposition?
(2) Cette période de deux ans doit-elle être constituée de deux années consécutives?

Position Adoptée: (1) Non.
(2) Non.

Raisons: (1) Puisque la période visée réfère à une période où le bien appartenait à une ou plusieurs des personnes visées en a), cette période doit forcément être antérieure au moment de la disposition.
(2) Le terme "ans" s'entend au sens de la notion de "année" telle que définie à l'article 37 de la Loi d'interprétation et signifie toute période de douze mois. Il aurait fallu mentionner "deux ans consécutifs" ou encore "24 mois" pour en arriver à une conclusion contraire.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
89(1) 89(14)

2 May 2008 External T.I. 2007-0249941E5 - Dividend designation -- attach -- Subsection 89(14)

An eligible dividend designation by a CCPC must specify an amount.

Principal Issues: Whether a notification method that does not provide the amount of the dividend at the time it is paid to each shareholder meets the designation requirement stated in subsection 89(14) of the ITA

Position: No - the designation requirements stated in subsection 89(14) would not be met by the proposed notification methods

Reasons: A textual, contextual and purposive review of subsection 89(14) reveals that the taxpayer's entitlement to a written and contemporaneous notification each time a dividend is paid underlies Parliament's intent to provide dividend recipients with certainty regarding the tax consequences of corporate distributions.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
85(1); 85(1.1); 220(4.5)

29 April 2008 External T.I. 2006-0215891E5 F - Partnership Interest & Departure Tax -- attach -- Subparagraph 220(4.5)(a)(i)

s. 85(1) rollover of the property triggered the s. 220(4.5) deferred tax

On his emigration from Canada, Mr. A held an interest in a real estate partnership which was capital property, and realized a taxable capital gain...

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Locations of other summaries Wordcount
Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 85 - Subsection 85(1.1) - Paragraph 85(1.1)(b) partnership interest is eligible property 112

29 April 2008 External T.I. 2006-0215891E5 F - Partnership Interest & Departure Tax -- attach -- Paragraph 85(1.1)(b)

partnership interest is eligible property

After emigrating from Canada, an individual transferred his interest in a real estate partnership on a s. 85(1) rollover basis to a corporation of...

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Locations of other summaries Wordcount
Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 220 - Subsection 220(4.5) - Paragraph 220(4.5)(a) - Subparagraph 220(4.5)(a)(i) s. 85(1) rollover of the property triggered the s. 220(4.5) deferred tax 98

Principal Issues: In a given situation, whether (1) a partnership interest could be considered an eligible property under subsection 85(1.1)? and (2) pursuant to subsection 220(4.5), a former canadian resident (emigrant) could continue postponing the payment of its departure tax related to the partnership interest if the emigrant transfers this interest to a taxable Canadian corporation pursuant to subsection 85(1)?

Position: (1) Yes (2) No.

Reasons: (1) Long standing position. (2) The law and practice.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
39

28 April 2008 External T.I. 2007-0243711E5 F - Gains et pertes sur change -- attach -- Paragraph 40(1)(a)

FX gains on U.S. securities transactions cannot be deferred until there is a conversion to Canadian funds

Regarding a requested clarification of the second part of paragraph 13 of IT-95R regarding the realization of a foreign exchange gain or loss on...

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Principal Issues: 1. Est-ce qu'un contribuable réalisera un gain ou une perte sur change lors de l'utilisation de fonds en monnaie étrangère pour acquérir des actions de société américaine qui sont des immobilisations du contribuable?
2. Comment calculer le gain ou la perte en capital à l'égard de placements autres que des fonds en dépôt payés et vendus en monnaie étrangère?

Position: 1. Oui.
2. Le gain ou la perte réalisée à la vente des placements sera calculé en convertissant en monnaie canadienne le prix de base rajusté et le produit de disposition des placements selon le taux de change en vigueur à l'époque pertinente. De manière plus précise, le prix de base rajusté doit être converti en monnaie canadienne en utilisant le taux de change prévalant au moment de l'acquisition des placements visés et le produit de disposition des placements doit être converti en utilisant le taux de change prévalant au moment de la disposition des placements.

Reasons: 1. Paragraphe 13 IT-95R.
2. Arrêt Gaynor c. La Reine (CAF) 91 DTC 5288
PUBLICATIONS DE L'ARC: F2007-024244, F2007-0237791I7, IT-95R
ARTICLE DE LA LOI: 39
HAA: 7007-4

Unedited CRA Tags: 
122.3

28 April 2008 External T.I. 2007-0248761E5 F - Crédit d'impôt pour emploi à l'étranger -- attach -- Paragraph 122.3(1.1)(a)

s. 122.3(1.1)(a) inapplicable where the individual’s corporation was retained for project abroad by arm’s length Canadian corporation

A corporation of which an engineer was an employee and shareholder and which provided project operations management services in the industrial...

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Principal Issues: Est-ce que le particulier est admissible au crédit d'impôt pour emploi à l'étranger?

Position: Aucune position. Commentaires généraux.

Reasons: Question de fait.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
146.1(1)

Principal Issues: Would a payment to a beneficiary from an RESP in respect of past educational expenses incurred when previously enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution be an educational assistance payment

Position: Question of fact. In general, and based on the example in the letter, no.

Reasons: Definition of educational assistance payment in subsection 146.1(1) and provisions of subsection 146.1(2).

Technical Interpretation - Internal

Unedited CRA Tags: 
Catégorie 10x) Règ. 1100(1)m) règ. 1101(5k.1)

20 May 2008 Internal T.I. 2008-0267041I7 F - Productions cinématographiques et magnétoscopiques -- attach -- Subsection 1100(5k.1)

not a separate depreciable class for each CFVP

Must a taxpayer include all Canadian film or video productions ("CFVP") productions in a single separate depreciable class, or should a separate...

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Principales Questions: Relativement aux productions cinématographiques et magnétoscopiques canadiennes pour lesquelles un crédit d'impôt peut être réclamé en vertu de l'article 125.4 de la Loi de l'impôt sur le revenu, de quelle façon doit-on interpréter le paragraphe 1101(5k.1) et l'alinéa 1100(1)m) du Règlement de l'impôt sur le revenu aux fins de la déduction pour amortissement supplémentaire? Plus particulièrement, est-ce qu'il est nécessaire d'inclure toutes ces productions dans une seule et même catégorie d'amortissement distincte ou est-ce que chacune de ces productions doit faire l'objet d'une catégorie d'amortissement distincte?

Position Adoptée: Ce calcul doit s'effectuer de façon à ce que toutes les productions pour lesquelles un crédit d'impôt peut être réclamé en vertu de l'article 125.4 soient comprises dans une seule et même catégorie d'amortissement distincte.

Raisons: L'alinéa 1100(1)m) et le paragraphe 1101(5k.1) du Règlement de l'impôt sur le revenu ne sont pas libellé d'une façon qui nous permettent de conclure qu'une catégorie d'amortissement distincte est prescrite pour chacune des productions visées. Si telle avait été l'intention du législateur, il aurait utilisé un langage similaire à celui utilisé aux paragraphes 1101(1ac) et (2) notamment.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
56.1(4) 60b) 60.1(1) 60.1(2)

6 May 2008 Internal T.I. 2008-0267451I7 F - Pension alimentaire versée à des tiers -- attach -- Paragraph 60(b)

payments for motor vehicle liability of ex-spouse were excluded as being in respect of tangible property

Under the terms of a separation agreement, the taxpayer was required to make weekly support payments for the benefit of his ex-wife for a motor...

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Principales Questions: (1) Est-ce que les versements effectués directement à un tiers pour payer le passif d'un véhicule automobile peuvent être déductibles à titre de pension alimentaire?
(2) Est-ce que le fait de mentionner dans une convention entre conjoints que les versements sur le véhicule sont effectués " à titre alimentaire " fait en sorte que les versements sont automatiquement déductibles pour le payeur?

Position Adoptée: (1) Non (2) Non

Raisons: (1) Dans la situation donnée, nous sommes d'avis que les versements reliés au passif du véhicule automobile constituent des paiements relatifs à un bien corporel et sont par conséquent exclus de l'application du paragraphe 60.1(2). En ce qui concerne l'application du paragraphe 60.1(1), nous considérons que le montant versé à un tiers n'est pas payable à la discrétion du bénéficiaire. Les versements effectués ne peuvent pas servir à calculer le montant déductible pour le payeur selon l'alinéa 60b).
(2) Ce n'est pas parce qu'il est indiqué à une convention de séparation entre conjoints qu'un paiement est effectué à titre alimentaire au profit du bénéficiaire que ce montant correspond nécessairement à la définition de pension alimentaire prévue au paragraphe 56.1(4) et qu'il est autrement déductible pour le payeur.

Unedited CRA Tags: 
146.01(4) 146(8) 146(8.3)

Principal Issues: Will the attribution rules in subsection 146(8.3) of the Act apply to an income inclusion under the provisions dealing with the Home Buyers Plan where the original amount was withdrawn from a spousal RRSP?

Position: No

Reasons: Wording of the legislation