Who should file a T3 return

You have to file a T3 return if income from the trust property is subject to tax, and in the tax year, the trust:

• has tax payable;
• is requested to file;
• is resident in Canada and has either disposed of, or is deemed to have disposed of, a capital property or has a taxable capital gain (for example, a principal residence, or shares);
• is a non-resident throughout the year, and has a taxable capital gain or has disposed of taxable Canadian property;
• is a deemed resident trust;
• holds property that is subject to subsection 75(2) of the Act;
• has provided a benefit of more than $100 to a beneficiary for upkeep, maintenance, or taxes for property maintained for the beneficiary's use (for more information, see Line 43 – Upkeep, maintenance, and taxes of a property used or occupied by a beneficiary in Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide; or
• receives from the trust property any income, gain, or profit that is allocated to one or more beneficiaries, and the trust has:
  • total income from all sources of more than $500;
  • income of more than $100 allocated to any single beneficiary;
  • made a distribution of capital to one or more beneficiaries; or
  • allocated any portion of the income to a non-resident beneficiary.

A trust, whose residency status changes, will retain the same trust number.

Where an electing trust has filing obligations under both its resident portion trust and non-resident portion trust, it is required to file these amounts separately under two distinct trust numbers.

Forms and publications

• Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide
• Other Publications for Trust

Related links

• Disposing of or acquiring certain Canadian property

Date modified:

2017-01-04