Translation disclaimer
This translation was prepared by Tax Interpretations Inc. The CRA did not issue this document in the language in which it now appears, and is not responsible for any errors in its translation that might impact a reader’s understanding of it or the position(s) taken therein. See also the general Disclaimer below.
2023 Ruling 2023-0986521R3 F - 104(4) and Pipeline
Principal Issues: A family discretionary trust (the “Trust”) will realize a capital gain as a result of the application of subparagraph 104(4)(b)(ii) to shares (the “Subject shares”) of a Canadian-controlled private corporation (Holdco 1, the “Subject corporation”) and will include the taxable capital gain realized in its income. After the “21 year” deemed disposition, the Trust will enter into a pipeline type transaction by way of selling some of the Subject shares to another existing Canadian-controlled private corporation (Holdco 2) as consideration for notes receivable (Notes 1 to 3). The Trust will distribute under subsection 107(2) to its beneficiaries Note 2 and Note 3 and will use the proceeds of Note 1 to pay the income taxes that arose from the deemed disposition upon its 21st anniversary (the “Proposed transactions”). 1) Does section 84.1 apply to the Proposed Transactions to deem a dividend received by the Trust? 2) Does subsection 84(2) apply to the Proposed Transactions? 3) Does section 245 apply to the Proposed Transactions?
Position: 1) No. 2) No. 3) No.
Reasons: Wording of the Act and previous CRA’s positions.
XXXXXXXXXX 2023-098652
Le XXXXXXXXXX 2023
Subject: Request for advance income tax rulings XXXXXXXXXX
Dear Sir or Madam,
This is in response to your letter of XXXXXXXXXX, in which you requested advance income tax rulings on behalf of XXXXXXXXXX. We have also taken into account the information you sent us by email as well as additional information submitted during telephone conversations (XXXXXXXXXX).
Unless otherwise indicated, all legislative references below are to the provisions of the Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1, (5th Supp.) (the “Act”).
To the best of your knowledge and that of the parties involved in the transactions, none of the matters to which this request for advance rulings:
(i) relates to a previously filed tax return of the taxpayers or a related person;
(ii) is the subject of an examination by a Tax Services Office or a Tax Centre in connection with a tax return previously filed by the taxpayers or a related person;
(iii) is the subject of a notice of objection by the taxpayers or a related person;
(iv) is the subject of a current or completed court process involving the taxpayers or a related person;
(v) was the subject of a ruling request previously considered by the Income Tax Rulings Directorate.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED
The names and corporate names of taxpayers are replaced by the names and corporate names indicated below.
“A” refers to XXXXXXXXXX;
“Child 1” means XXXXXXXXXX, son of A and brother of Child 2;
“Child 2” means XXXXXXXXXX, son of A and brother of Child 1;
“Holdco 1” means to XXXXXXXXXX;
“Holdco 2” means XXXXXXXXXX;
“Newco 1” means the new corporation to be incorporated as described in Paragraph 20 of the Proposed Transactions;
“Newco 2” means the new company to be incorporated as described in Paragraph 22 of the Proposed Transactions.
“Trust 1” means XXXXXXXXXX Trust;
“Trust 2” means XXXXXXXXXX Trust;
“Trust 3” means XXXXXXXXXX Trust;
“Trust 4” means XXXXXXXXXX Trust;
“Trustee 1” means A;
“Trustee 2” means XXXXXXXXXX, spouse of A;
“Trustee 3” means XXXXXXXXXX;
Unless otherwise indicated, the following abbreviations have the meanings set out below.
“ACB” means “adjusted cost base” as defined in section 54;
“Agreed Amount” has the meaning set out in subsection 85(1);
“Capital Property” has the same meaning as in section 54;
“CCPC” means “Canadian-controlled private corporation” as defined in subsection 125(7);
“Cost Amount” has the meaning set out in subsection 248(1);
“CRA” means the Canada Revenue Agency;
“FMV” means “fair market value”, which means the highest price, in dollars, that would be agreed upon in an open market between two arm's length parties who are knowledgeable, informed and prudent, neither of whom is under any compulsion to act;
“Inter vivos trust” has the same meaning as in subsection 108(1);
“Non-arm's length” has the meaning set out in subsection 251(1);
“Note 1” means the note issued in Paragraph 28 of the Proposed Transactions;
“Note 2” means the note issued in Paragraph 28 of the Proposed Transactions;
“Note 3” means the note issued in Paragraph 28 of the Proposed Transactions;
“Paragraph” means a numbered paragraph of this letter;
“Personal trust” has the same meaning as in subsection 248(1);
“Proposed Transactions” means the transactions described in Paragraphs 19 to 33;
“PUC” means “paid-up capital” as defined in subsection 89(1);
“Resident in Canada” means a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Act;
“RV” means “redemption value”;
“Subject Shares” means the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 to be held by Trust 1 as contemplated in Paragraph 27 of the Proposed Transactions;
“Taxation Year” has the meaning set out in subsection 249(1);
“TCC” means “taxable Canadian corporation” as defined in subsection 89(1);
XXXXXXXXXX;
FACTS
Facts respecting Trust 1
1. Trust 1 is a personal trust and an inter vivos trust. Trust 1 is resident in Canada for the purposes of the Act. Its Taxation Year ends on XXXXXXXXXX of each year.
2. Trust 1 was established pursuant to a trust deed signed on XXXXXXXXXX.
3. Trust 1 is a discretionary family trust. The beneficiaries of the income and capital of Trust 1 are:
Child 1;
Child 2; and
Any company or corporation which is wholly owned by A.
4. The current trustees of Trust 1 are Trustee 1, Trustee 2 and Trustee 3 (“Trustees of Trust 1”).
5. All of the beneficiaries and trustees of Trust 1 are residents of Canada.
6. The Trust Indenture provides that Trust 1 will terminate automatically on XXXXXXXX, unless the Trustees of Trust 1 unanimously determine that the Trust shall continue in existence. In the event that the trustees of Trust 1 take such a decision, the trust will automatically terminate on XXXXXXXXXX. The trustees of Trust 1 may terminate Trust 1 at any time, by unanimous decision, in their sole and absolute discretion.
7. The 21st anniversary of the formation of Trust 1 will take place on XXXXXXXXXX.
8. On XXXXXXXXXX, prior to any distribution of income or capital indicated herein, Trust 1 will hold a cash balance, an advance receivable from Holdco 1 and XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2. Those shares are Capital Property to Trust 1.
9. No capital gains deduction was claimed by a beneficiary of Trust 1 or by an individual with whom a beneficiary of Trust 1 did not deal at arm's length in respect of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares held by Trust 1 in the capital stock of Holdco 2 or in respect of shares substituted therefor within the meaning of subsection 248(5). In addition, the ACB, to Trust 1, of the Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 is not based, directly or indirectly, on the tax-free zone relating to the pre-1972 period.
Facts respecting Holdco 1
10. Holdco 1 is a TCC and a CCPC. It was incorporated on XXXXXXXXXX and is governed by the XXXXXXXXXX. Its Taxation Year end is XXXXXXXXXX. Holdco 1 is a holding company that holds portfolio investments (listed shares, bonds, mutual funds), participating interests in and loans to various private companies, and participating interests in subsidiaries.
11. The tax characteristics of all issued shares of the capital stock of Holdco 1 are set out in the table below. The FMV of the Class B-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 1 has not been determined.
Shareholder Number and Classes $ACB $PUC $FMV/RV
A XXXXX Class C shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
A XXXXX Class E-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
A XXXXX Class F-2 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Trust 2 XXXXX Class B-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
12. In accordance with its annual share redemption policy, Holdco 1 may redeem Class F-2 Shares held by A during the XXXXXXXXXX fiscal period.
13. The current shareholders of Holdco 1 wish to continue the operation of that corporation for many years. No winding-up, discontinuance or reorganization of the business is contemplated for Holdco 1. The objective of the current Shareholders is to continue to operate the business of Holdco 1 in the same manner as at present.
Facts respecting Holdco 2
14. Holdco 2 is a TCC and a CCPC. It was incorporated on XXXXXXXXXX and is governed by the XXXXXXXXXX. Its Taxation Year end is XXXXXXXXXX. Holdco 2 is a holding company and its principal activity is the holding of portfolio investments (segregated funds for life insurance policies), and participating interests in and loans to private corporations.
15. The tax characteristics of all the issued shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 are set out in the table below. The FMV of the Class B-1, B-2 and B-3 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 has not been determined.
Shareholder Number and Classes $ACB $PUC $FMV/RV
Holdco 1 XXXXX Class C shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Holdco 1 XXXXX Class E-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Holdco 1 XXXXX Class I-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Trust 1 XXXXX Class F-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Trust 2 XXXXX Class B-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Trust 3 XXXXX Class B-2 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Trust 4 XXXXX Class B-3 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Child 1 XXXXX Class C shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Child 1 XXXXX Class F-1 shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Child 2 XXXXX Class C shares XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
16. In accordance with its annual share redemption policy, Holdco 2 may redeem Class E-1 shares held by Holdco 1 during the XXXXXXXXXX fiscal period.
17. The current shareholders of Holdco 2 wish to continue the operation of this corporation for many years. No winding-up, discontinuance or reorganization of the business is contemplated for Holdco 2. The objective of the current shareholders is to continue to operate the business of Holdco 2 in the same manner as at present in order to increase its value.
18. The authorized share capital of Holdco 1 and Holdco 2 is identical. It consists of an unlimited number of shares without par value of classes A-1 to A-7, B-1 to B-7, C, E-1 to E-7, F-1 to F-7, G, H and I-1 to I-7. The share capital also includes an unlimited number of Class D shares with a par value of $0.01 per share. The principal rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the shares are as follows:
Class A-1 to A-7 shares: Voting and participating.
Class B-1 to B-7 shares: Non-voting and participating.
Class C shares: Voting and non-participating.
Class D shares: Non-voting and non-participating, redeemable at a price equal to $XXXXXXXXXX per share plus a premium of $XXXXXXXXXX per share. Non-cumulative monthly dividend of up to XXXXXXXXXX% per month on the RV.
Class E-1 to E-7 shares: Non-voting and non-participating, redeemable at the paid-up amount plus declared and unpaid dividends and a premium equal to the difference between their proportionate share of the FMV of any property received in consideration for the issue of such shares and the paid-up amount. Non-cumulative monthly dividend of XXXXXXXXXX% per month of the RV.
Class F-1 to F-7 shares: Non-voting and non-participating, redeemable at the amount paid plus declared and unpaid dividends and a premium equal to the difference between their proportionate share of the FMV of any property received in consideration for the issue of such shares and the amount paid. Non-cumulative monthly dividend of XXXXXXXXXX% per month of the RV.
Class G shares: Non-voting and non-participating, redeemable at the paid-up amount plus declared and unpaid dividends. Annual non-cumulative dividend of XXXXXXXXXX% per annum of the RV.
Class H shares: Life insurance shares.
Class I-1 to I-7 shares: Non-voting and non-participating, redeemable at the paid-up amount plus declared and unpaid dividends. Dividend in the discretion of the Board of Directors.
PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
19. On or before XXXXXXXXXX, the trustees of Trust 1 will unanimously make the determination that Trust 1 shall remain in existence after XXXXXXXXXX. The legal documentation to this effect will be completed in due course.
20. On or before XXXXXXXXXX, Newco 1 will be incorporated pursuant to the XXXXXXXXXX. Newco 1 will be a TCC and a CCPC. Its Taxation Year-end will be XXXXXXXXXX. The authorized share capital of Newco 1 will include the classes of shares set out in Paragraph 18 above, which will correspond to the authorized share capital of Holdco 1 and Holdco 2.
21. Immediately following the incorporation of Newco 1, A will subscribe for XXXXXXXXXX Class C Shares of the capital stock of Newco 1 in consideration for a cheque in the amount of $XXXXXXXXXX.
22. On or before XXXXXXXXXX, Newco 2 will be incorporated under the XXXXXXXXXX. Newco 2 will be a TCC and a CCPC. Its Taxation Year-end will be XXXXXXXXXX. The authorized share capital of Newco 2 will include the classes of shares set out in Paragraph 18 above, which will correspond to the authorized share capital of Holdco 1 and Holdco 2.
23. Immediately following the incorporation of Newco 2, A will subscribe for XXXXXXXXXX Class C Shares of the capital stock of Newco 2 in consideration for a cheque in the amount of $XXXXXXXXXX.
24. On XXXXXXXXXX, Trust 1 will make a distribution, within the meaning of subsection 107(2), of a portion of its capital to Child 1 and Child 2. Child 1 and Child 2 will each receive XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2. The XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares received by Child 1 and Child 2 will have, to each of Child 1 and Child 2, a RV of $XXXXXXXXXX, a PUC of $XXXXXXXXXX and an ACB of $XXXXXXXXXX.
25. On XXXXXXXXXX, Child 1 will transfer the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 that he holds to Newco 1. In consideration, Newco 1 will issue XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of its capital stock. Furthermore, and for greater certainty, the total amount of the FMV represented by the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of the capital stock of Newco 1 issued upon such transfer will not exceed the FMV of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 at the time of such transfer. Child 1 will accept the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of the capital stock of Newco 1 as full and absolute payment for the transfer of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2.
Child 1 and Newco 1 will make the election provided for in subsection 85(1) in the prescribed form and within the period provided for in subsection 85(6), in respect of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 that will be transferred to Newco 1.
For greater certainty, the Amount Agreed of Child 1 and Newco 1 for the transfer of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 will be equal to the lesser of the amounts described in subparagraphs 85(1)(c.1)(i) and (ii) (namely, respectively, the FMV at the time of the transfer and the ACB, to Child 1, at the time of the transfer, i.e. $XXXXXXXXXX).
The PUC of the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 shares of the capital stock of Newco 1 that will be issued to Child 1 will not exceed the maximum amount that may be added to the PUC of such shares pursuant to paragraph 84.1(1)(a).
26. On XXXXXXXXXX, Child 2 will transfer the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares he holds of the capital stock of Holdco 2 to Newco 2. In consideration, Newco 2 will issue XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of its capital stock. Furthermore, and for greater certainty, the total amount of the FMV represented by the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of the capital stock of Newco 2 issued upon such transfer will not exceed the FMV of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 at the time of such transfer. Child 2 will accept the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 Shares of the capital stock of Newco 2 as full and absolute payment for the transfer of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2.
Child 2 and Newco 2 will make the election provided for in subsection 85(1) in the prescribed form and within the period provided for in subsection 85(6), in respect of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 that will be transferred to Newco 2.
For greater certainty, the Amount Agreed of Child 2 and Newco 2 for the transfer of the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 Shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 will be equal to the lesser of the amounts described in subparagraphs 85(1)(c.1)(i) and (ii) (namely, respectively, the FMV at the time of the transfer and the ACB, to Child 2, at the time of the transfer, i.e., $XXXXXXXXXX).
The PUC of the XXXXXXXXXX Class B-1 shares of the capital stock of Newco 2 that will be issued to Child 2 will not exceed the maximum amount that may be added to the PUC of such shares pursuant to paragraph 84.1(1)(a).
27. Pursuant to subparagraph 104(4)(b)(ii), at the end of the day that is 21 years after the day on which Trust 1 was established, i.e., XXXXXXXXXX, Trust 1 will be deemed to have disposed of all of the property it holds, including the XXXXXXXXXX Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 (the Subject Shares), for proceeds of disposition equal to their FMV, i.e., $XXXXXXXXXXX, and will be deemed to have reacquired such property immediately thereafter for an amount equal to such value. The capital gain arising from the deemed disposition of the Subject Shares will be $XXXXXXXXXX.
The capital gain arising from the deemed disposition pursuant to subsection 104(4) described above will be reported in Trust 1's income tax return for the Taxation Year ending XXXXXXXXXX.
Trust 1 will not allocate any portion of the taxable capital gain to its beneficiaries and will pay the tax on the taxable capital gain within the time prescribed by the Act. As a result of this transaction, the ACB of the Subject Shares held by Trust 1 will be $XXXXXXXXXX and the PUC will be $XXXXXXXXXX.
28. On XXXXXXXXXX, Trust 1 will dispose of the Subject Shares to Holdco 1. The proceeds of disposition will correspond to the FMV of the Subject Shares, i.e., $XXXXXXXXXX.
In payment for such shares, Holdco 1 will issue Note 1 to Trust 1 in the amount of $XXXXXXXXXX, Note 2 in the amount of $XXXXXXXXXX and Note 3 in the amount of $XXXXXXXXXX. Note 1, Note 2 and Note 3 will not bear interest.
For greater certainty, the total of the principal amounts of Note 1, Note 2 and Note 3 will not exceed the amount equal to the greater of the ACB, to Trust 1, of the Subject Shares determined after taking into account paragraphs 84.1(2)(a) and (a.1), and the PUC of the Subject Shares immediately prior to the disposition.
29. On XXXXXXXXXX, Trust 1 will make a distribution, within the meaning of subsection 107(2), of a portion of its capital to Child 1 and Child 2. Child 1 will receive Note 2 and Child 2 will receive Note 3.
30. On XXXXXXXXXX, Holdco 1 will proceed with the repayment of Note 1 to Trust 1. The repayment will be paid out of the funds of Holdco 1. The amount received from the reimbursement will be used by Trust 1 to pay the tax arising from the application of subparagraph 104(4)(b)(ii) to the Subject Shares.
31. On XXXXXXXXXX, the trustees of Trust 1 will proceed with its winding-up in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed. The remaining property of Trust 1 will be distributed equally between Child 1 and Child 2 and the provisions of subsection 107(2) will apply.
32. Commencing XXXXXXXXXX, i.e., XXXXXXXXXX after the sale of the Subject Shares to Holdco 1 described in Paragraph 28 of the Proposed Transactions, Holdco 1 will progressively proceed with the repayment of Note 2 and Note 3 held respectively by Child 1 and Child 2. The repayment will be made in tranches of a maximum of $XXXXXXXXXX per XXXXXXXXXX for each of Note 2 and Note 3.
33. Holdco 1 and Holdco 2 will continue to carry on their businesses as they currently do. There will be no change in their operations.
PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
The purpose of the proposed transactions is to subject a portion of the property held by Trust 1 (the Subject Shares) to the deemed disposition of property on Trust 1's 21st anniversary, in order to gradually return the value of the Subject Shares, the FMV of which will correspond to the ACB resulting from the application of subsection 104(4), to Child 1 and Child 2 and to fund the taxes arising from the application of that subsection to the Subject Shares.
For the other portion of the Class F-1 shares of the capital stock of Holdco 2 that is not subject to the deemed disposition on Trust 1's 21st anniversary, the intention is that those shares will be held through Newco 1 and Newco 2, which will be controlled by A so that A can control redemptions and cash outflows.
The main contact details for the taxpayers concerned by the advance rulings are :
XXXXXXXXXX
ADVANCE RULINGS ISSUED
Provided that the statement of facts, the Proposed Transactions and the additional information constitutes full disclosure of all relevant facts and of all proposed transactions and that the Proposed Transactions are carried out as described above, our rulings are as follows:
A. To the extent that the total principal amount of Note 1, Note 2 and Note 3 will not exceed the ACB to Trust 1 of the Subject Shares, taking into account paragraphs 84.1(2)(a) and (a.1), the provisions of section 84.1 will not apply so as to have a dividend be deemed to be paid by Holdco 1 to Trust 1 and received by Trust 1 upon the disposition of the Subject Shares described in Paragraph 28 of the Proposed Transactions.
B. The provisions of Subsection 84(2) will not apply as a result of and by reason of the Proposed Transactions described above to deem Holdco 2 to have paid to, and Trust 1 to have received, a dividend on the Subject Shares.
C. The provisions of subsection 245(2) will not apply as a result of and by reason of the Proposed Transactions described above to redetermine the tax consequences confirmed in the rulings above.
These rulings are subject to the limitations and general conditions set out in Information Circular 70-6R12 dated April 1, 2022, issued by the CRA and are binding on the CRA, provided that the Proposed Transactions described in Paragraphs 19 to 29 are completed within the timeframes set out herein and before the 6-month period ending after the date hereof. The subsequent Proposed Transactions described in paragraphs 30 to 33 must be completed within the timeframes set out herein, as described above. These decisions are based on the current Act and do not take into account the proposed amendments thereto.
These rulings should in no way be construed as an acquiescence on the part of the CRA that:
(a) we have considered the other tax consequences that may result from the Proposed Transactions set out herein;
(b) we have considered the application of subsections 75(2) and 107(2) to the Proposed Transactions;
(c) the amount attributed to a property in the Statement of Facts and the Proposed Transactions truly represents the FMV or ACB of a property, or the PUC amount of a share or the Agreed Amount of a property transferred under subsection 85(1); and that
(d) we have determined the residence status of a party involved in the Proposed Transactions.
A statement of our fees for the time spent on your case will be sent to you under separate cover.
Best regards,
XXXXXXXXXX.
for the Director
Reorganizations Division
Income Tax Rulings Directorate
Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch
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