Income Tax Severed Letters - 2004-02-13

Miscellaneous

2003 2003-000348D30 - Mutual Fund Trust - Capital Gain Allocation

Unedited CRA Tags
104(6)(b); 104(13) 104(21); 107(4.1); 132(1); 245

Principal Issues: A mutual fund trust proposes to modify its trust indenture to maximize the distribution of the trust's net capital gains to XXXXXXXXXX unitholders (capital gains will first be allocated to XXXXXXXXXX unitholders and then to the remaining unitholders), thereby reducing the perceived inefficiencies in the capital gains refund formula in section 132.

The rulings requested are:
A) The trust may deduct the taxable portion of the capital gains payable to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder (104(6)(b)).
B) The taxable portion of the capital gain paid to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder will be included in including his income (104(13)).
C) The taxable portion of the capital gain paid to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder will be deemed to be a taxable capital gain of the unitholder (104(21)).
D) The proceeds of disposition of the redeemed units will be equal to the excess of the NAV of the units over the capital gains distributions in respect of those units.
E) Variable A of 132(4) "capital gains redemptions" will be equal to the aggregate proceeds of disposition of all units redeemed, net of any capital gains distribution on those units.
F) 107(4.1) will not apply.
G) 245(2) will not apply.

Position: The rulings are granted.

Reasons: Consistent with rulings previously issued. The amended trust indenture indicates the amounts of net capital gains to be allocated to the XXXXXXXXXX unitholders and the trustee cannot exercise any discretion in making that determination.

2003 2003-002169C30 - Variation and 21 year rule

Unedited CRA Tags
56(2), 104(4), 105(1) 106(2), 107(1), 107(2) 245, 246(1)

Principal Issues: Proposed transactions aimed at transferring the accrued value of the assets owned by a trust to some beneficiaries by making capital distributions prior to the 21 year deemed disposition date set by 104(4). The transactions involve the variation of the trust to permit the encroachment of capital for the benefit of certain beneficiaries, the transfer of assets to newly created corporations, the transfer of preferred shares of those corporations to some beneficiaries and the setting aside of assets for the benefit of the contingent beneficiaries.
The rulings requested are:
A. There will not be a resettlement of the trust or a disposition of the shares held in the trust as a result of the variation of the trust.
B. The distribution of the preferred shares of the new companies to the beneficiaries in partial satisfaction of their capital interests in the trust will take place on a tax deferred basis pursuant to section 107(2) of the Act.
C. There will not be a disposition of the income or capital interests of any beneficiary of the trust as a result of the variation of the will for purposes of subsections 106(2) and 107(1) and the definition of "disposition" in subsection 248(1) of the Act.
D. Subsections 56(2), 105(1) and 246(1) of the Act will not be applicable solely as a consequence of the proposed transactions.
E. Section 245 will not be applicable to redetermine the tax consequences set out in the rulings provided above.

Position: The rulings are granted.

Reasons: Consistent with rulings previously issued.
XXXXXXXXXX 2003-002169

Ruling

2003 Ruling 2003-0009513 - PARTNERSHIP - WIND-UP

Unedited CRA Tags
96(1)
s. 85(2) drop-down and s. 98(3) wind-up followed by partition of preferred shares

Principal Issues: The Promoter proposes to create a master partnership that will invest in a lower-tier operating partnership. The lower-tier partnership will use the funds raised to acquire an XXXXXXXXXX business. After a start-up period estimated to last between XXXXXXXXXX months, the lower-tier partnership will transfer the business to a newly formed taxable Canadian corporation in exchange for preferred shares. Both the lower-tier and master partnership will wind-up and the partners will receive an undivided interest in the preferred shares of the corporation. The shares will be partitioned such that the undivided interest in the shares will become a divided interest. The partners will then exchange these preferred shares for common shares of the corporation.

The main issues raised were as follows:

1) Are the units of the master or lower-tier partnership a tax shelter?

2) Will section 54.2 of the Act apply on the transfer of the business of the lower-tier partnership to a taxable Canadian corporation to deem the shares received to be capital property?

3) Will subsection 98(3) of the Act apply to the wind-up of the master partnership?

4) Will subsection 248(21) of the Act apply to the partition of shares received on the winding up of the master partnership?

5) Will subsection 51(1) of the Act apply to the exchange of the preferred shares for common shares?

6) Does GAAR apply?

Position: 1) No; 2) Yes; 3) Yes; 4) Yes; 5) Yes; 6) GAAR will not apply.

Reasons: 1) Losses allocated under the master and lower-tier partnerships during the first four years will not exceed 99% of the cost of the partnership units; 2) Meets the requirements of section 54.2; 3) Meets the requirements of subsection 98(3); 4) The partitioning complies with subsection 248(21) of the Act; 5) The conversion complies with subsection 51(1) of the Act; 6) GAAR not applicable as it may reasonably be considered that the proposed transactions do not misuse any provisions of the Act or abuse the Act read as a whole.

2003 Ruling 2003-0038003 - Acquisition of Control

Unedited CRA Tags
256(7)

Principal Issues: Do the proposed transactions result in an acquisition of control of Canco?

Position: No.

Reasons: By virtue of paragraphs 256(7)(a) and (b).

2003 Ruling 2003-0041113 F - BIEN AGRICOLE ADMISSIBLE

Unedited CRA Tags
110.6(1)

Principales Questions:
Un contribuable prévoit vendre sa terre agricole et veut savoir s'il s'agit d'un "bien agricole admissible" au sens de cette définition au paragraphe 110.6(1) de la Loi.

Position Adoptée:
Oui.

2003 Ruling 2003-000348D - Mutual Fund Trust - Capital Gain Allocation

Unedited CRA Tags
104(6)(b); 104(13) 104(21); 107(4.1); 132(1); 245
distribution on redemption of YTD capital gains

Principal Issues: A mutual fund trust proposes to modify its trust indenture to maximize the distribution of the trust's net capital gains to XXXXXXXXXX unitholders (capital gains will first be allocated to XXXXXXXXXX unitholders and then to the remaining unitholders), thereby reducing the perceived inefficiencies in the capital gains refund formula in section 132.

The rulings requested are:
A) The trust may deduct the taxable portion of the capital gains payable to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder (104(6)(b)).
B) The taxable portion of the capital gain paid to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder will be included in including his income (104(13)).
C) The taxable portion of the capital gain paid to a XXXXXXXXXX unitholder will be deemed to be a taxable capital gain of the unitholder (104(21)).
D) The proceeds of disposition of the redeemed units will be equal to the excess of the NAV of the units over the capital gains distributions in respect of those units.
E) Variable A of 132(4) "capital gains redemptions" will be equal to the aggregate proceeds of disposition of all units redeemed, net of any capital gains distribution on those units.
F) 107(4.1) will not apply.
G) 245(2) will not apply.

Position: The rulings are granted.

Reasons: Consistent with rulings previously issued. The amended trust indenture indicates the amounts of net capital gains to be allocated to the XXXXXXXXXX unitholders and the trustee cannot exercise any discretion in making that determination.

2003 Ruling 2003-002169C - Variation and 21 year rule

Unedited CRA Tags
56(2), 104(4), 105(1) 106(2), 107(1), 107(2) 245, 246(1)

Principal Issues: Proposed transactions aimed at transferring the accrued value of the assets owned by a trust to some beneficiaries by making capital distributions prior to the 21 year deemed disposition date set by 104(4). The transactions involve the variation of the trust to permit the encroachment of capital for the benefit of certain beneficiaries, the transfer of assets to newly created corporations, the transfer of preferred shares of those corporations to some beneficiaries and the setting aside of assets for the benefit of the contingent beneficiaries.
The rulings requested are:
A. There will not be a resettlement of the trust or a disposition of the shares held in the trust as a result of the variation of the trust.
B. The distribution of the preferred shares of the new companies to the beneficiaries in partial satisfaction of their capital interests in the trust will take place on a tax deferred basis pursuant to section 107(2) of the Act.
C. There will not be a disposition of the income or capital interests of any beneficiary of the trust as a result of the variation of the will for purposes of subsections 106(2) and 107(1) and the definition of "disposition" in subsection 248(1) of the Act.
D. Subsections 56(2), 105(1) and 246(1) of the Act will not be applicable solely as a consequence of the proposed transactions.
E. Section 245 will not be applicable to redetermine the tax consequences set out in the rulings provided above.

Position: The rulings are granted.

Reasons: Consistent with rulings previously issued.
XXXXXXXXXX 2003-002169

Ministerial Correspondence

2 February 2004 Ministerial Correspondence 2003-0052441M4 - US Social Security to Status Indians

Principal Issues: Has there been a recent change to the taxation of pension income and US Social Security payments received by a status Indian resident in Canada?

Position: No

Reasons: There have no changes to the Income Tax Act, the Canada-US Income Tax Convention or the Indian Act Exemption for Employment for Employment Income Guidelines that would affect the taxation of pension income and US Social Security payments received by a status Indian resident in Canada.

2 February 2004 Ministerial Correspondence 2003-0052451M4 - Employment Expenses - Safety Gear

Unedited CRA Tags
8(1)(i)(iii) 8(2)

Principal Issues: Can employed woodworkers claim a deduction for the cost of safety gear worn while performing their jobs?

Position: No

Reasons: No provision in the Act under which employess could deduct the cost of safety gear such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, face guards, hearing protection and safety pants and gloves.

Technical Interpretation - External

13 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0032245 - interspousal transfer of property

Unedited CRA Tags
74.1 74.5(1)

Principal Issues:
Where a taxpayer transfers property to the taxpayer's spouse and the spouse subsequently invests the proceeds of sale, would the attribution rules apply such that the income earned and capital gains or losses realized on the investments would be deemed to be income, capital gains or losses of the taxpayer.

12 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0053211E5 - Cost-plus private health services plans

Unedited CRA Tags
20.01 6(1)(a)(i) 248(1)

Principal Issues: What are the guidelines in establishing a cost-plus PHSP.

Position: General comments only.

Reasons: IT-339R2

12 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0051801E5 - Employer-reimbursed vehicle lease costs

Unedited CRA Tags
6(1)(a)

Principal Issues: What amount, if any, should be treated as a taxable benefit

Position: General comments only.

Reasons: Question of fact.

12 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0046081E5 - Medical Expenses - Sunglasses

Unedited CRA Tags
118.2(2)(j)

Principal Issues: Whether the cost of sunglasses that have been prescribed by an optometrist due to photosensitivity qualifies as a medical expense.

Position: No

Reasons: The sunglasses were purchased for the protection of the eyes from sunlight or bright lighting and not for the treatment or correction of a defect of vision.

12 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0051891E5 - Excess contrib. to a cost plus administrator

Unedited CRA Tags
248 6(1)(a)(i)

Principal Issues: The income tax treatment of excess contributions in respect of a cost plus PHSP.

Position: The excess contributions can generally be returned to the employer without income tax consequence to the employee.

Reasons: Under a cost plus PHSP, the employer is responsible only for reimbursing the administrator for approved employee claims and an administration fee.

12 February 2004 External T.I. 2004-0060231E5 - Medical expenses

Unedited CRA Tags
118.2(2)(l.2)

Principal Issues: Does an amount paid to replace a roof a qualifying
medical expense?

Position: While the determination is a question of fact, in the
situation described, the amount paid does not qualify.

Reasons: Did not meet the criteria of paragraph 118.2(2)(l.2).

11 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0052481E5 - Scholarships, Research Grants

Unedited CRA Tags
56(1)(o) 56(1)(n)

Principal Issues: 1. Tax treatment of award by XXXXXXXXXX

Position: 1. Taxable under either 56(1)(n) or (o)

Reasons: 1. question of fact -depends upon nature of research being done for which expenses are being reimbursed

10 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0053311E5 F - Indemnité de préavis - allocation de retraite

Unedited CRA Tags
248(1)
bifurcation of termination payment into s. 5 payment in lieu, and excess as retiring allowance

Principales Questions: Est-ce qu'une indemnité de préavis est traitée comme une allocation de retraite aux fins fiscales?

Position Adoptée: Non. L'objet du paiement est de remplacer le salaire qui serait autrement gagné.

Raisons: Question de fait. Définition d'allocation de retraite.

9 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0050501E5 - Replacement property rules

Unedited CRA Tags
44(5) "former business property" as defined in 248(1) 44(1) 13(4.1)

Principal Issues: Whether or not the replacement property rules in the Act can apply to the voluntary disposition of a mixed-use commercial building.

Position: Question of fact.

Reasons: It depends. 1) There must be a causal relationship between the acquisition of the new property and the disposition of the former. 2) The taxpayer or a person related to the taxpayer must use the particular property for a use that is the same as or similar to the use to which the taxpayer or a person related to the taxpayer put the former property. 3) Where the former property was used by the taxpayer or a person related to the taxpayer for the purpose of gaining or producing income from a business, the replacement property must also be acquired for the purpose of gaining or producing income from that or a similar business or for the use by a person related to the taxpayer for such a purpose. 4) The primary use of the former business property must be to gain or produce income from a business (it cannot be a rental property).

9 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0044951E5 - Deferred Gift to Charity

Unedited CRA Tags
118.1

Principal Issues: Determine the date on which the gift is made

Position: General comments provided.

Reasons: The gift cannot be completed before the condition precedent is satisfied and legal title to the gifted property is transferred to the donee.

9 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0004401E5 F - Bien agricole admissible - fiducie

Unedited CRA Tags
110.6(1)
2 successive corporations could together satisfy the 24-month test in s. (a)(vi)(B) of qualified farm property
sufficient for the disposed-of property to be qualified farm property to the disposing trust, and need not be qualified farm property to the beneficiary

Principales Questions: Est-ce que le gain en capital imposable réalisé lors de la disposition d'un fonds de terre détenu par une fiducie personnelle et utilisé successivement par deux sociétés dans une entreprise agricole peut être attribué aux bénéficiaires de la fiducie afin que ceux-ci puissent réclamer la déduction pour gains en capital sur bien agricole admissible prévue au paragraphe 110.6(2) de la Loi?

Position Adoptée: Aucune position définitive. Question de fait. Commentaires généraux à propos de la définition de bien agricole admissible.

Nous avons émis trois interprétations dans cette opinion.
Tout d'abord, nous sommes d'avis, aux fins du test d'utilisation prévu au sous-alinéa a)(iv) de la définition de bien agricole admissible et à la division a)(vi)(B) de cette même définiition, une action d'une société doit être une action du capital-actions d'une société agricole familiale à la fin de la période d'utilisation du bien par la société plutôt qu'à la date de disposition du bien par la fiducie dans le cas où cette société n'utilise plus le bien à la date de la disposition du bien.

Ensuite, nous avons pris une autre position aux fins de déterminer si le test d'utilisation prévu à la division a)(vi)(B) de la définition de bien agricole admissible est respecté lorsqu' au cours de la période de 24 mois mentionnée à cette division, il y a deux sociétés qui, successivement, utilisent le bien immeuble dans le cadre de l'exploitation d'une entreprise agricole au Canada. Nous avons indiqué que si chacune des sociétés est une société visée au sous-alinéa a)(iv) de la définition de bien agricole admissible et si chacune respecte la division a)(vi)(B) de cette même définition tout au long de la période d'utilisation du bien par chacune (période d'utilisation comprise dans la période de 24 mois), la condition relative à l'utilisation prévue à cette division serait remplie si la période d'utilisation totate du bien immeuble par de telles sociétés est d'au moins 24 mois.

Finalement, pour l'application du paragraphe 104(21.2) de la Loi, nous sommes d'avis qu'il n'est pas nécessaire que le bien soit également un bien agricole admissible du bénéficiaire pour que la fiducie lui attribue un montant de gains en capital imposables admissibles selon le paragraphe 104(21.2) et pour que ce montant soit réputé être un gain en capital tiré de la disposition par le bénéficiaire d'un bien agricole admissible. Il faut que le bien immeuble soit un bien agricole admissible de la fiducie.

Raisons: 1ère et 2e interprétations sont nécessaires en raison de l'ambiguïté de la Loi et elles permettent de refléter la politique fiscale. 3e interprétation est basée sur le libellé anglais du paragraphe 104(21.2).

XXXXXXXXXX 2003-000440
Mario Gingras, CGA
Le 9 février 2004

9 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0054611E5 - Early Autism Intervention Funding

Unedited CRA Tags
56(1)(u) 118.2

Principal Issues:
Is funding received under two British Columbia programs for children with autism taxable?

Position:
No.

Reasons:
Although the amounts are social assistance, the payments are not made on the basis of a means, needs or income test.

9 February 2004 External T.I. 2004-0055321E5 - Gains/Losses on Personal Income Tax

Unedited CRA Tags
86

Principal Issues: Income tax consequences of completed Plan of Arrangement to shareholder of corporation receiving new shares of corporation and shares of another corporation in exchange for old shares of corporation.

Position: Section 86 of the Act will be applicable to the shareholder.

Reasons: Plan of Arrangement would appear to satisfy the conditions for application of section 86(1).

6 February 2004 External T.I. 2004-0057821E5 F - Connected Corporations

Unedited CRA Tags
186(1)(a) 186(4)(b)
connected corporation status is tested at the time of dividend receipt

Principal Issues: For the purposes of Part IV Tax, whether the dividend payer must be connected with the recipient at the time the dividend is received or at some other time during the recipient's taxation year.

Position: At the time the dividend is received.

Reasons: Previous position.

6 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0049461E5 F - Parité salariale - Pension rétroactive

Unedited CRA Tags
56(1)a)(i)
retroactive pay-equity increase to the pension receipts of the deceased were s. 56(1)(a)(i) inclusions to the receiving estate

Principales Questions: Est-ce qu'un rajustement paritaire à l'égard de prestations de retraite ou de pension est imposable?

Position Adoptée: Oui.

Raisons: Le libellé de 56(1)a)(i).

6 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0033891E5 - Section 17 and subsections 247(2) and (7)

Unedited CRA Tags
17 247(2) 247(7)

Principal Issues: Whether subsection 247(2) could apply in respect of an amount owing under a loan where neither subsection 17(1) nor subsection 247(7) applies.

Position: Subsection 247(2) could apply in such a case.

Reasons: Neither subsection 247(7) nor the administrative position adopted in paragraphs 21 and 22 of Information Circular 87-2R would apply to exempt the loan from the application of subsection 247(2) in such a case.

5 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0051261E5 - Director's Liability

Unedited CRA Tags
227.1 227(8.4)

Principal Issues: Assessment of a director for the amount of the tax where gross wages are paid to an employee.

Position: Only where the employee is a non-resident or a deemed resident under paragraph 250(1)(a).

Reasons: The law.

4 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0045931E5 - Flow-through shares - CCA and CRCE

Unedited CRA Tags
66(15) 66.1(6) Reg 1219

Principal Issues: Whether CCA can be renounced to investors in flow-through shares.

Position: No, however, certain costs that constitute CRCE and would otherwise form part of the cost of depreciable property may potentially be renounced to investors in flow-through shares.

Reasons: As provided in the definition of CRCE in subsection 1219 of the Regulations.

4 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0031971E5 - Qualification of a plan as a PHSP

Unedited CRA Tags
118.2(2) 248(1)P

Principal Issues: Qualification of a specific arrangement as a PHSP

Position: Based on letter, plan does not appear to qualify however definitive answer would require a ruling.

Reasons: Requirements described in IT-339R2 do not appear to have been met.

4 February 2004 External T.I. 2003-0052271E5 - Whether property is a replacement property

Unedited CRA Tags
13(4) 44(1) 248(1)

Principal Issues: Whether the replacement property rules in subsections 13(4) and 44(1) of the Income Tax Act (the "Act") would apply to allow a taxpayer to defer the capital gain and recapture of CCA on the disposition of a capital property

Position: General comments only

Reasons: Question of fact

30 January 2004 External T.I. 2003-0047271E5 - Flow-through shares

Unedited CRA Tags
66(12.6011

Principal Issues: What is the taxable capital of a corporation that acquires all the shares of another corporation after the end of its last taxation year and winds up the other corporation before the issuance of the flow-through shares?

Position: The taxable capital of the corporation does not include the taxable capital employed in Canada of the other corporation if the other corporation ceases to exist before the issuance of the flow-through shares.

Reasons: Under subsection 66(12.6011) the taxable capital of the corporation would only include the taxable capital employed in Canada of the other corporation if the corporations were associated at the time the flow-through shares were issued.

29 January 2004 External T.I. 2003-0040631E5 F - Rente de bienfaisance : contrat ou fiducie

Unedited CRA Tags
75(2) 56(1)d)
amounts included in income of donor under charitable annuity arrangement under s. 75(2) is not also included under s. 56(1)(d)

Principales Questions: Le paragraphe 75(2) de la Loi s'applique-t-il lorsqu'un donateur verse une somme à une œuvre de bienfaisance pour l'achat d'une rente " de bienfaisance " et que, par la suite, reçoit annuellement une partie de ce qu'il a ainsi versé.

Position Adoptée: Oui

Raisons: Selon les termes du sous-alinéa 75(2)a)(i).

27 January 2004 External T.I. 2003-0006025 F - Roulement d'une partie d'un bien

Unedited CRA Tags
70(6)
s. 70(6) can apply to a part interest in a single real property
rollover applicable to part interest transferred to surviving spouse

Principales Questions : L'attribution d'une partie indivise d'un bien fait-elle échec au roulement du paragraphe 70(6) de la Loi de l'impôt sur le revenu.
Whether the transfer of an undivided share of property would prevent the rollover of subsection 70(6) of the Income Tax Act (the "Act").

Position Adoptée : Non/No

8 January 2004 External T.I. 2003-0049781E5 - Article IV of the Canada-US Convention

Unedited CRA Tags
212(2)

Principal Issues: Are the members/shareholders of a US LLC the beneficiaries of a US Trust?

Position: No.

Reasons: US LLC is the beneficiary, not the members/shareholders of US LLC.