CRA finds that ss. 6(1)(a) and 148(7) applied simultaneously to the transfer of a life insurance policy by an employer to an arm’s length employee

As a result of an arm’s length employee no longer being considered to be a key employee, her employer transfers its “key person” permanent life insurance policy on her life to her for nominal consideration. At the transfer time, the death benefit, cash surrender value (CSV) and adjusted cost basis (ACB) are $1 million, $50,000 and $20,000, respectively. The policy FMV equals its CSV.

CRA found that the employee would have a taxable s. 6(1)(a) benefit based on the $50,000 FMV of the policy, that the employer would realize a policy gain under s. 148(7)(a) of $30,000, being the CSV of $50,000, less the ACB of $20,000 and that the employee would be deemed under s. 148(7)(b) [rather than s. 52(1)] to have acquired the policy at a cost of $50,000.

Neal Armstrong. Summary of 14 May 2019 CLHIA Roundtable Q. 2, 2019-0799051C6 under s. 6(1)(a) and s. 148(7)(b).