CRA indicates that it will not double-count shares in applying the s. 256(1.3) share re-attribution rule to shares deemed to be owned by minor trust beneficiaries

Father and Mother each hold 80 shares of Newco and Opco, respectively, and two discretionary trusts, with their three minor children as beneficiaries, hold 20 shares, respectively, of Newco and Opco. S. 256(1.2)(f)(ii) would deem, say, the eldest child to own the 20 share bloc in each corporation and that bloc of shares would then be re-attributed to a parent under s. 256(1.3), so that Newco would be deemed to be owned as to 80 and 20 shares by Father and Mother, respectively, and Opco would be deemed to be owned as to 80 and 20 shares by Mother and Father, respectively.

If the same process were repeated for the other two children, the deemed cross-shareholdings would be increased to 60 shares for each corporation. However, CRA will not do this, stating that the shares “would not be counted two or more times.” Consequently, as the cross-shareholdings would be under 25%, Newco and Opco would not be associated.

Neal Armstrong. Summary of 8 December 2015 T.I. 2015-0608781E5 F under s. 256(1.2)(f)(ii).