Income Tax Severed Letters - 2015-06-10

Technical Interpretation - External

21 May 2015 External T.I. 2015-0576831E5 - "eligible property" - lessee's interest in a lease

CRA Tags
85(1.1)

Principal Issues: Whether a lessee's interest in a lease for equipment would be considered eligible property pursuant to subsection 85(1.1).

Position: Question of fact.

Reasons: Although a lessee's interest in a lease would generally be considered property, it is a question of fact whether a particular interest under a lease contract would be on account of capital.

15 May 2015 External T.I. 2014-0553001E5 - Self-funded UK Personal Pension Scheme

CRA Tags
Treaties Article X, Treaties Article XI Treaties Article XIII, Treaties Article XVII, 56(1)(a), 3, 60(j)

Principal Issues: Whether a lump sum withdrawal from a self-funded UK personal pension scheme by a resident of Canada is subject to tax in Canada?

Position: No.

Reasons: As the income earned or capital gains realized on investments held in a self-funded UK personal pension scheme by a resident of Canada would be subject to tax in Canada as it is earned or realized, as the case may be, withdrawals from the self-funded UK personal pension scheme would not be subject to tax in Canada at the time of the withdrawal.

4 May 2015 External T.I. 2013-0484181E5 - 7(1)(e) benefit and 110(1.1) election

CRA Tags
110(1.1), 164(6.1), 7(1)(e), 110(1)(d), 18(1)(m)
s. 110(1.1) election can be made to allow s. 110(1)(d) deduction for s. 7(1)(e) death benefit

Principal Issues: Whether an election under subsection 110(1.1) may be made by an employer in a situation where paragraph 7(1)(e) applies after March 4, 2010.

Position: Yes.

Reasons: The CRA accepts such elections on an administrative basis.

23 April 2015 External T.I. 2014-0558931E5 - Flexible Benefit Plan

CRA Tags
6(1)(a)

Principal Issues: Whether an employee can change his selection of benefits under a flexible benefit plan before the plan year has commenced without affecting the status of the plan, or having adverse tax consequences to the employee.

Position: See response.

Reasons: See response.

5 March 2015 External T.I. 2014-0530691E5 - Professional membership dues

CRA Tags
8(1)(i)(i)

Principal Issues: Whether annual membership dues paid to an organization are deductible in computing employment income?

Position: Question of fact.

Reasons: See response.

4 February 2015 External T.I. 2014-0547711E5 - Indian Pension Income - T4RSP/T4RIF

CRA Tags
81(1)(a), Indian Act - 87

Principal Issues: Whether we should amend T4RSP/T4RIF slips to add a box to report exempt portion of withdrawal?

Position: Not at this time.

Reasons: See below.

Technical Interpretation - Internal

3 March 2015 Internal T.I. 2014-0527841I7 F - Avantage imposable pour aéronef

CRA Tags
246(1), 13(7)(c), 15(1.4)(c), 15(1), 18(1)(a), 6(1)(a), 13(7)(d)
apportionment of aircraft use between business and personal
benefits from personal use of corporate aircraft based on the cost of similar benefit from arm's length supplier
s. 15(1.4)(c) applied to extend scope of Massicotte indirect benefit doctrine
s. 15(1.4)(c) applied to extend scope of Massicotte indirect benefit doctrine

Principales Questions: 1. Est-ce que le bulletin IT-160R3 s'applique pour les années sous vérification?/ Does IT-160R3 applied for years under review? 2. L'avantage imposable doit-il être calculé en fonction du coût d'un billet d'avion ou des dépenses refusées à la société? / Should the taxable benefit be evaluated with first class airfare or the operating costs related to personal use? 3. Quel est l'impact sur le calcul du revenu de la société des dépenses relatives à l'utilisation personnelle de l'aéronef? /What is the impact in calculating the income for the corporation for operating costs related to personal use of the aircraft?

Position Adoptée: 1. Oui./Yes. 2. Le calcul de l'avantage imposable doit se rapprocher de façon raisonnable de la juste valeur marchande de l'avantage reçu./ The value placed on a benefit should approximate its fair market value. 3. Les alinéas 18(1)a) et 13(7)c) et d) s'appliquent pour empêcher la déductibilité des dépenses relatives à l'utilisation personnelle de l'aéronef. / The deduction of expenses related to personal use of the aircraft would be precluded by paragraphs 18(1)a) and 13(7)c) and d).

Raisons: 1. Le Bulletin IT-160R3 représente la position de l'ARC jusqu'au moment de son annulation./ The bulletin IT-160R3 continues to reflect the position of the CRA until it was cancelled 2. Position adoptée par la jurisprudence. /Position taken by the jurisprudence. 3. Limitation par les alinéas 18(1)a) et 13(7)c)./ Limitation by paragraphs 18(1)a) and 13(7)c).