Date: 20001123
Docket: 95-591-IT-I
BETWEEN:
J. R. MOORE,
Appellant,
and
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN,
Respondent.
Reasons for Judgment
Margeson, J.T.C.C.
[1] This appeal is with respect to an assessment by the
Minister of National Revenue (“Minister”), notice of
which is dated July 20, 1989, by which the Minister assessed the
Appellant’s income for the year 1988 for the amount of
$15,000 which was received by the Appellant in that year from his
employer, the Ministry of Revenue (“Ministry”),
Province of Ontario, as a result the transfer of the Appellant
from Stratford, Ontario where he lived, to Barrie, Ontario.
[2] The assessment was on the basis that the Appellant had
received a benefit by virtue of his office or employment and that
the benefit was properly included in the Appellant’s income
pursuant to paragraphs 6(1)(a) and 6(1)(b) of the
Income Tax Act (“Act”).
[3] The Appellant testified that the amount that he received
was for relocation expenses under a relocation plan. He
introduced a number of exhibits with the consent of the
Respondent. These included the Enhanced Relocation Plan,
Exhibit A-1; the Enhanced Relocation Plan –
Calculation Worksheet, Exhibit A-2; a letter by way of
memo to Mr. C.E. Winter, Director of Field Operations Branch from
J.R. Moore, Regional Assessment Commissioner on the subject of
the Enhanced Relocation Plan, dated August 23, 1988, which was
marked Exhibit A-3 and a memo to
Mr. C.E. Winter, Director of Field Operations Branch
from J. R. Moore, Regional Assessment Commissioner,
dated September 21, 1988 on the subject of the Enhanced
Relocation Plan, which was marked Exhibit A-4. This
included a cost comparison of features statement and a memorandum
to Mr. R.H. Beach, Executive Director, Assessment
Services Division from C.E. Winter, Director, Field
Operations Branch on the subject of the Enhanced Relocation Plan
– J.R. Moore – Region 16 (Barrie). This was dated
August 29, 1988 and marked Exhibit A-5.
[4] The Appellant indicated that in February of 1988 he was
asked to leave his position in the Huron Perth region to go to
the County of Simcoe region to take up a new position with the
Ministry. As a result of this move, the Appellant moved to
Barrie, Ontario from Stratford, Ontario.
[5] The price of houses in the Barrie real estate market were
higher than those in Stratford. According to the Appellant, in
order for him to receive any benefit from the Ministry plan he
was required to prove the loss to the Minister and it was not
just a matter of the Minister handing out the amount of money in
question here without any proof being given as to his increased
expenses in the new relocated area.
[6] At the time of the application he was aware that according
to the calculations of the Ministry he was entitled to receive an
amount of $12,947.39. The maximum receivable under the plan was
$15,000 and the Appellant sought to obtain the maximum amount.
That was the purpose of Exhibit A-3. This material was
prepared by the Appellant and was an effort by him to establish
to the Minister that he was relocating to a higher-cost housing
area. As indicated in his letter he requested consideration be
given to approving his reimbursement to the maximum figure of
$15,000 allowed under the Enhanced Relocation Plan.
[7] This memo was followed-up by a memo from the
Appellant to the Ministry, Exhibit A-4. In this
exhibit the Appellant pointed out a number of shortcomings of the
plan and considered that he was being penalized because he had
actually bought down even though there was a very valid economic
reason for him doing just that. He ended up by asking the
Minister to consider the additional items which were not
accounted for in the calculation formula. He opined that the
formula appeared to recognize principally the purchase price in
Barrie less the sale price in Stratford. It did not take into
account the other items which he listed in his letter of
September 21, 1988. He believed that these additional items
should form part of the consideration under the Enhanced
Relocation Plan.
[8] In the attachment entitled Cost Comparison of Features,
the Appellant indicated that he paid an additional $10,500 for
his home, that he then owned a home which was 16 years older,
with a smaller living area, a smaller family room of poorer
quality, no fireplace, uncertain insulation, fewer bathrooms and
far less storage space than that which he had before.
[9] In the end result the Minister looked favourably upon this
request and the Appellant was granted the maximum amount
allowable under the plan of $15,000.
[10] In his evidence the Appellant said that because of the
real estate in Barrie he had to pay $40,000 more for a less
comparable house to the one he had in Stratford. He had a smaller
older home and had to improve it. Exhibit A-5 indicated the
approval by the Minister for the maximum allowable to be provided
to Mr. Moore in the amount of $15,000.
[11] The Appellant said that he took all of his Stratford
money and put it into buying the more expensive house in Barrie.
He received less for his money and had to increase his
mortgage.
[12] In cross-examination he said that he moved from
Stratford to Barrie in 1988. The old house was bought in 1987 for
$120,000 and by 1987 the mortgage remaining on the property was
about $108,500. In 1988 he sold his Stratford house which had a
mortgage on it at a rate of 10¼% and a term of five years.
When the property was sold the mortgage was paid off out of the
sale price of $140,500. He took out a new mortgage on the new
property in Barrie with the same mortgage company.
[13] The new property was purchased for $151,000 and had a
mortgage on it of $122,000 with an interest rate of 11%. He
retired in 1995 and still lives in the same property.
Argument of the Respondent
[14] In argument, counsel for the Respondent said that the
sole issue was whether or not the $15,000 payment to the
Appellant was taxable in the hands of the Appellant in the year
1988. Counsel opined that the Appellant was arguing that he
should receive the full $15,000 payment from the Ministry because
the price differential for a comparable house in Barrie was more
than $15,000.
[15] However, this amount was paid to the Appellant because he
moved and bought a new house in the higher priced area. He did
not spend more than $15,000 on purchasing a new house because he
bought a property of lesser value. The question to be asked is,
“How is the amount to be treated for tax
purposes?”
[16] He referred to sections 3, 5 and 6 of the Act.
Section 3 requires taxpayers to include in their income for the
year, income from employment. Section 5 requires taxpayers
to include all amounts received by way of salary, wages and other
remuneration. Section 6 requires taxpayers to include in their
income any amounts received for board, lodging and other
benefits. The question to be asked is whether or not the $15,000
payment to the Appellant fell under section 5 or 6 of the
Act.
[17] He pointed out that housing subsidies have been
considered frequently by the Courts. The general rule is that all
benefits received by employees must be included in taxable
income. He referred to the case of The Queen v. Savage,
83 DTC 5409 (F.C.A.) in support of his proposition that the
amounts received, in order to be taxable, need not be referable
to the employment. The triggering event is quite broad.
[18] One exception is where the taxpayer receives an amount to
reimburse him for a loss suffered. This amount is not taxable. He
referred to the case of Ransom v. M.N.R., 67 DTC 5235 in
support of this proposition. That case found that the amount
claimed was not taxable. However, the opposite conclusion was
reached in The Queen v. Phillips, 94 DTC 6179 where the
amount received was classified as taxable. It was not a
non-taxable reimbursement for expenses incurred as a consequence
of the employment. That case is equally applicable here.
[19] There was no decrease in the net worth of the Appellant
as a result of the move. The payment made up for the decline in
the net worth of the Appellant.
[20] He also referred to the case of Attorney-General of
Canada v. Hoefele et al., 95 DTC 5602 where the Court
considered that the taxpayer suffered a loss as a result of the
move from Calgary to Toronto as a result of the higher mortgage
rate at the new site. Therefore, the amount was a loss and not
taxable. However, in the case at bar, the $15,000 was paid
because if the Appellant had bought a comparable house it would
have cost him more than the $15,000 which he received. Therefore,
since he decided not to buy a more expensive house he should be
in no different a position than if he had decided to buy the more
expensive house in the new location because then he would have
been entitled to a full $15,000 advance.
[21] He took the position that the amount in question did not
cover the mortgage differential as argued by the Appellant and
therefore the full amount was taxable in the taxpayer’s
hands and the appeal should be dismissed.
Argument of the Appellant
[22] The Appellant argued that the mortgage differential in
this case was three quarters of a per cent and not one quarter of
a per cent as indicated by counsel for the Respondent. He said
what was received by him was not a benefit. He referred to
Phillips, supra, and distinguished that case by saying
that the payment received there increased the taxpayer’s
net worth. However, here, he did not see his net worth
increase.
[23] He relied heavily upon the case of Hoefele, supra,
and said that it is very important. He did not receive the
$15,000 because a comparable house was too expensive for him to
buy. He referred to page 2 of Exhibit A-4 in that
regard where he asked the Minister to consider the additional
items which were referred to in addition to the items shown in
the calculation form. He pointed out that the formula appeared to
recognize principally the purchase price in Barrie less the sale
price in Stratford. However, he felt that the items that he
included were very valid items and should form part of the
consideration under the enhanced relocation plan.
[24] He also took the position that the increased mortgage
rate and the increased property taxes were part of the
calculation for the $15,000 payment.
[25] He also referred to the case of Savage, supra, in
which Mr. Justice Dickson explained the principle which
distinguishes taxable from non-taxable receipts when he
said:
If it is a material acquisition which confers an economic
benefit on the taxpayer and does not constitute an exemption,
e.g., loan or gift, then it is within the all-embracing
definition of s. 3.
In Hoefele, supra, the Court went on to say:
According to the Supreme Court of Canada, then, to be taxable
as a “benefit”, a receipt must confer an economic
benefit. In other words, a receipt must increase the
recipient’s net worth to be taxable. Conversely, a receipt
which does not increase net worth is not a benefit and is not
taxable. Compensation for an expense is not taxable, therefore,
because the recipient’s net worth is not increased
thereby.
...Our jurisprudence has long accepted the focus on net
gain as the basis for determining whether a receipt is a
“benefit” and whether it is therefore taxable.
[26] He referred to the case of Ransom, supra, quoted
with approval in Hoefele, supra, adopting the proposition
of Noël J. that the amount, “cannot be considered a
benefit because it adds nothing of value to the recipient’s
economic situation.” He, Noël J. stated:
It appears to me quite clear that reimbursement of an employee
by an employer for expenses or losses incurred by reason of the
employment (which as stated by Lord McNaughton in Tenant v.
Smith, (1892) A.C. 162, puts nothing in the pocket but merely
saves the pocket) is neither remuneration as such or a
benefit “of any kind whatsoever” so it does
not fall within the introductory words of section 5(1) or within
paragraph (a). It is equally obvious that it is not an
allowance within paragraph (b) for the reasons that I have
already given.
[27] He referred to the case of The Queen v. Splane, 92
DTC 6021 (F.C.A.) where Cullen J. stated:
The taxpayer gained no extra money in his pocket. Instead the
payments only allowed him to maintain the same position as that
which he occupied prior to his transfer, and prevented him from
having accepted the lateral transfer position at a loss.
He argued that he also suffered a loss as a result of the
move. He referred to page 5605 of the Hoefele case in
support of his argument where the Court said:
Therefore, the question to be decided in each of these
instances is whether the taxpayer is restored or enriched. Though
any number of terms may be used to express this effect –
for example, reimbursement, restitution, indemnification,
compensation, make whole, save the pocket – the underlying
principle remains the same. If, on the whole of a transaction, an
employee`s economic position is not improved, that is, if the
transaction is a zero-sum situation when viewed in its
entirety, a receipt is not a benefit and therefore, is not
taxable under paragraph 6(1)(a). It does not make any
difference whether the expense is incurred to cover costs of
doing the job, of travel associated with work or of a move to a
new work location, as long as the employer is not paying for the
ordinary, every day expenses of the employee.
[28] He also referred to page 5606 of the Hoefele case
where the Court indicated:
. . .whether such a payment is legally a “benefit”
according to paragraph 6(1)(a) is an entirely different
question, one that depends on the specific facts of each
individual case.
At the same page, the Court went on to say:
If a company gives a lump sum payment to an employee to offset
higher housing costs on relocation, the payment is taxable, if he
is better off as a result. But, if such aid comes by way of a
reimbursement for the loss of a favourable mortgage rate, it is
not taxable.
[29] He referred again to page 12 of the Hoefele
decision and argued that the mortgage interest subsidy scheme did
not increase his equity in his home. No economic gain accrued to
him as a result of the subsidy. His net worth was not increased.
Therefore paragraph 6(1)(a) was inapplicable. Further, at
page 5607 the Court quoted Sobier T.C.C.J. when he said:
... A person’s economic position is not advanced by
maintaining the same ownership in a more valuable asset.
He maintained that in the case at bar the amount of money
received involved more than the mortgage interest subsidy. There
was a loss in his equity position amounting to $32,000. He had a
23% equity in his old house but as a result of the increase in
mortgage on the new house he had only a 19.2% equity. The new
mortgage was at a higher rate and took longer for him to pay it
off. The $15,000 that he received did not improve his equity
position nor restore the equity position that he held before the
move. He opined that he was in a negative position as a result of
the move.
[30] He also took issue with the delay in this case coming to
trial and of all the impediments that he has faced from the time
that he was first assessed. He believed that the Court should
allow him costs which would take into account the expenses that
he incurred as a result of having this case wind its way through
the Courts over a long period of time.
[31] With respect to the $2,395.98 figure which is set out in
Exhibit A-2 as a mortgage interest rate subsidy, he agreed
that these figures were for one year only and that his mortgage
on the Stratford property was taken out for a three-year
renewal term.
[32] He also referred briefly to the Property Tax Subsidy item
but it was of little consequence and this matter was not
pursued.
[33] He also pointed out that in the Stratford property he had
an equity worth 23% of the sale price of $32,000 whereas in the
Barrie property he had an equity of only $29,000 or 19% of the
sale price. His equity loss was $3,000.
[34] He also pointed out that in Hoefele, supra, the
Court took into account the 10-year period for the mortgage
interest rate subsidy and that if this Court did likewise, the
amount of the interest payments would be over $20,000 for that
period of time based upon the mortgage interest rate subsidy
figure as set out in Exhibit A-2. He did admit that
the interest rate came down after three years from the date of
the purchase so he took into account that in the second
three-year period the mortgage rate subsidy might amount only to
$6,600 and in the third three-year period the interest rate
subsidy figure might amount only to $6,000 as there was a drop in
the interest rate over those periods.
[35] The Court allowed counsel for the Respondent to reply to
the matters raised by the Appellant in his argument. At this time
counsel indicated that he was prepared to concede that the amount
of $2,395.98 as set out in Exhibit A-2 might not be
taxable in the Appellant’s hands as it was a mortgage
interest rate subsidy.
[36] He took the position that it was necessary to look not
only at the net worth position of the taxpayer but also at the
form of the payment. He referred to Hoefele, supra, in
this regard where that case indicated that the form of a
transaction is important in the characterization process.
[37] With respect to the argument advanced by the Appellant
that he should be allowed the mortgage interest rate subsidy for
more than one year, counsel argued that there was nothing in the
evidence to indicate that the amount of the payment that he
received in that regard was for any more than one year and indeed
the plan prohibited the Minister from granting the mortgage
interest rate subsidy for any longer a period than one year.
[38] With respect to the $10,500 figure which is set out in
Exhibit A-2 as the variance, counsel took the position that
this is definitely taxable in the Appellant’s hands. The
reason that the amount was given to him was because he bought a
more expensive house and that is exactly what the housing cost
differential was.
[39] Further, counsel took the position that the difference
between the amount of $15,000 received and the total amount of
$12,947.39 to which the Appellant was entitled according to the
calculation worksheet was taxable in the Appellant’s hands.
The only reason he received the additional amount was because the
form did not take into account the fact that the Appellant bought
a house which was not as luxurious as the one he had left.
Therefore, he would not be entitled under the formula to receive
as much as he might have if he had bought a more luxurious home
when he may have qualified for the maximum benefit. In effect he
was being penalized for being frugal and he should not have been.
However, the amount received there was in respect to the more
expensive house being purchased.
[40] With respect to whether or not the mortgage interest rate
subsidy should be granted for more than one year, counsel took
the position that the plan, consequently the amount received,
only provided for this adjustment to be made in one year, and in
that regard characterization of the amount received and the
formula should rule. Under the formula the government was only
entitled to pay him for the one year for the subsidy.
[41] The Court must ask: “What did the plan
subsidize?” In this case it is not enough to say I suffered
a loss. The Appellant must prove that the amount that he received
was compensating him for this loss in order for it to be tax
exempt.
[42] In further rebuttal the Appellant again referred to
Hoefele at page 11 in support of his various positions. He
also took the position that the difference between the $15,000
received and the $12,947.39 calculated under the formula set out
in Exhibit A-2 was to cover his extra expenses over
the years and that this should not be taxable. It was his
position that the case law has developed to the extent that the
Courts have allowed these extra expenses to be tax free. He
referred to the case of McNeill v. The Queen, 86 DTC 6477
(F.C.T.D.) in that regard. He was prepared to admit that the
limitations of the plan enabled him only to be paid for one
year’s mortgage interest rate subsidy but he should not be
limited to the one year.
[43] He also pointed out that what he received was not a lump
sum payment up front without anything more. He had to demonstrate
the loss that he suffered. He convinced the Ministry that he
would have a loss over the years and that is why he was granted
the $15,000 maximum payment.
[44] The appeal should be allowed with costs.
Analysis and Decision
[45] As can be seen from a recitation of the facts, as
indicated above, they are not complicated and the issue that has
to be decided is clear, although the resolution of that issue is
not so simplistic. As counsel for the Respondent has pointed out,
the type of issue involved in this case has been considered on
many occasions by many Courts at different levels. As these cases
point out, each case must be decided on its own facts and the
difference in facts in any one case could produce a different
result although the issue in each would appear to be the
same.
[46] A review of the cases referred to by counsel for the
Respondent and those referred to by the Appellant clearly
indicate that there are a number of principles involved in the
consideration of the issue here. It is clear from the cases that
in order for the amount that has been received to be taxable, it
must be brought within the provisions of the Act and in
the case at bar counsel for the Respondent has argued that the
amount is taxable under the provision of sections 5 and 6 of the
Act, and should be included in the computation of the
Appellant’s income in the year in question under section 3.
More particularly, he argued that this was remuneration under
section 5 received by the taxpayer in the year in question and
that it amounted to “a benefit received by the taxpayer in
respect of, in the course of, or by virtue of an office or
employment...” under paragraph 6(1)(a) of the
Act.
[47] In the case of McNeill, supra, relied upon by the
Appellant, Rouleau, J. was unable to find that all of the
amount that was sought to be taxed by the Minister came under any
of these provisions and consequently he allowed the appeal and
declared that the Accommodation Differential Allowance in the
amount of $15,571 paid to the plaintiff by Her Majesty the Queen
in the Right of Canada was not taxable but that the Social
Disruption Allowance in the amount of $2,155.41 was to be
included in computing the taxpayer’s income for the year in
question.
[48] It is clear therefore, that it is not a situation where
the whole of the amount in question is either taxable or
non-taxable but it is open to this Court, based upon the facts
and an interpretation of the law to conclude that part of the
amount in question may be taxable and fall under the above
mentioned provisions and part of the amount may not be taxable
because it does not fall under the appropriate provisions.
[49] In the case at bar the Appellant argued that all of the
amount was non-taxable and initially the Respondent argued
that all of the amount was taxable. At the end of the day, the
Court is satisfied that the Respondent has conceded that a
portion of this amount is not taxable and it should not have been
included in the Appellant’s income for the year in
question.
[50] Counsel was only prepared to concede the amount of
$2,395.98 which was the amount of the mortgage interest rate
subsidy for one year and consequently his position is that the
balance of the amount in issue is taxable.
[51] It is clear from the cases reviewed that there has been
developed, “the net gain concept” which in essence
indicates that a receipt cannot be considered a benefit when it
adds nothing of value to the taxpayer’s economic situation,
such as in the case of a reimbursement for “out of pocket
expenses” as a result of a move. Similarly, if, “the
taxpayer was simply being restored to the same economic situation
he was in before his employer ordered him to incur the
expense,” it is not taxable. Similarly, if, “the
taxpayer gained no extra money in his pocket, instead the
payments only allowed him to maintain the same position as that
which he occupied prior to his transfer, and prevented him from
having accepted the lateral transfer position at a loss,”
the amount is not taxable. However, intrinsic in this is the
statement in Hoefele, supra, at page 5605 that:
...It does not make any difference whether the expense is
incurred to cover costs of doing the job, of travel associated
with work or of a move to a new work location, as long as the
employer is not paying for the ordinary, every day expenses of
the employee.
[52] Insofar as this Court is concerned a reasonable argument
put forth by counsel for the Respondent was that the Court must
consider all of the circumstances of the case and consider not
only the nature or characteristic of the payment but also the
form of the payment. Further, counsel argued that it is not
enough for the Appellant to say that he suffered a loss but he
must prove that the amount that he received was compensation for
the loss.
[53] This Court is satisfied that in order to resolve the
issue in question here, it must look at the form of the payment,
the nature of the payment and the characteristics of the payment.
In essence that requires the Court to consider what the payment
was for.
[54] There is clear evidence in this case, as presented by the
Appellant himself, Exhibit A-2, that the payment was made up of
three components: 1) Housing Cost Differential which showed a
variance in the price of the houses in question here of $10,500
between Barrie and Stratford. 2) Mortgage Interest Rate Subsidy.
It is clear from looking at Exhibit A-2 that $2,395.98
of the amount in question was intended to cover the difference in
the mortgage rate that existed between the property in Stratford
at 10.25% and the new mortgage rate on the property in Barrie at
the rate of 11%. It is further clear that the term that was being
considered by the Minister in granting the payment was for one
year despite the fact that the Appellant took out his new
mortgage for a period of three years after which it was to be
renewable. 3) The Property Tax Subsidy which is an insignificant
amount of $51.41.
[55] Further evidence adduced by the Appellant himself
indicated that when he initially made the application for the
payment it was decided that he would not obtain the maximum
payment of $15,000. The Appellant was not satisfied with that and
because of his persistence and ingenuity he was able to convince
the Ministry that he should receive the maximum payment.
[56] The first letter that he wrote, dated August 23, 1988,
Exhibit A-3 was an attempt by the Appellant to satisfy
the Minister that he was moving into a higher cost housing area,
he was attempting to determine the actual cost differential of
comparable living accommodations in Barrie as opposed to
Stratford. This letter also dealt with the difference in the
interest rate question. The Appellant requested further
consideration be given to approving the maximum figure of $15,000
allowed under the enhanced relocation plan.
[57] On September 21, 1988 the Appellant wrote a further
letter to the Ministry. The Appellant indicated that he had
received the calculations under the plan, pointed out that it did
not take into account “the actual cost differential of
comparable living accommodation” and he listed a number of
factors which he did not think were giving him proper
consideration, such as buying down in quality because of the
higher market area, the empty nest situation indicating that a
large house was not required, the holding off in buying a new car
by taking some equity out of the sale of the house, therefore
buying a house of lesser quality. Further, the money received
must be declared as taxable income thereby the actual net amount
that he would receive under the subsidy was reduced. He also
acknowledged that the mortgage subsidy assistance was only for
one year.
[58] He indicated that he was actually being penalized for
buying down although he might have very valid reasons for doing
so. He further admitted that it was a promotional move but due to
the added expenses he might not actually end up in a better
position.
[59] Considering these letters and the other evidence as well,
it is clear that the initial amount of $10,500 as referred to in
Exhibit A-2 as the Housing Cost Differential was just that.
This was an amount paid to the Appellant because of the fact that
the house he was buying in Barrie was going to cost $151,000
whereas the former residence sold for $140,500. Therefore, the
payment was merely because of the fact that he bought a more
expensive house even though he may have obtained what he
considered to be a less than comparable house. The fact remains
that he received that amount of money because he bought a more
expensive house. Receipt of this amount by the Appellant was
clearly an advantage to him because had he not received it, his
net worth would have been less than it was after he received it.
This was clearly a benefit or an advantage to him on the basis of
all of the facts and such a finding does not offend the principle
of net advantage as referred to in the cases.
[60] In respect of the difference between the amount of
$12,947.39 which was the amount calculated under the
“enhanced relocation plan” and the amount of $15,000
that the Appellant actually received because of his
representations to the Ministry, that amount in essence was
received because the Appellant was able to convince the
authorities that if he had bought a more expensive house he would
have been entitled to receive the maximum amount of $15,000.
Because he chose to economize he should not be penalized by only
being entitled to receive the $12,947.39. This differential was
clearly given to him to compensate him for increased housing
costs on the purchase of a replacement property and further to
take into account other expense factors which the Appellant set
out in his representations to the Minister. Clearly some of these
fall into the category of ordinary, every day expenses of the
employee and are not tax free.
[61] The case of Phillips, supra, is applicable to this
point.
[62] As indicated by the Appellant himself, in rebuttal, the
difference between the $12,947.39 and the $15,000 was to cover
extra expenses over the years.
[63] With respect to the Appellant’s argument that he
should be entitled to the mortgage interest rate subsidy for more
than one year, the Court rejects that argument. In that regard
the form and characterization of the payment in question are
significant. It is clear from all of the evidence that the
payment in question was intended to cover only one year and
indeed that was the maximum amount of coverage that could take
place under the plan. Therefore, the only amount that would be
non-taxable in the Appellant’s hands is the amount of the
mortgage interest rate subsidy for one year.
[64] The Court is satisfied that it does not make any
difference that the payment that the Appellant received was a
lump sum payment up front. He argued that he had to demonstrate
to the Ministry that he had suffered a loss over the years and
that is why they gave him the amount that they did. As indicated
above, it is clear as to what this payment represented and the
Court is satisfied that it is taxable.
[65] With respect to the amount of $51.21, the property tax
subsidy, that was paid because the Appellant had purchased a more
expensive house and the taxes were higher, that amount was
taxable.
[66] In the end result, the appeal is allowed and the matter
is referred back to the Minister of National Revenue for
reassessment and reconsideration based upon the Court’s
findings that the amount of $2,395.98 was not taxable in the year
in question but the remainder of the amount was taxable.
[67] The Appellant is entitled to no further relief.
[68] The Appellant is entitled to no costs because he was not
substantially successful in this appeal.
Signed at Ottawa, Canada, this 23rd day of November
2000
"T.E. Margeson"
J.T.C.C.