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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.
Principal Issues: [TaxInterpretations translation] How is the ACB of a limited partner's interest in a limited partnership calculated?
Position: By virtue of paragraph 53(1)(e), when calculating the ACB of a partner's interest in an LP, only the income or loss of the partnership for fiscal periods that have already ended will be taken into account. Furthermore, by virtue of subparagraph 53(2)(c)(v), any amount received at a particular time in respect of a distribution of the partner's share of the partnership profits or partnership capital must be deducted in computing the ACB.
Reasons: Application of the Act. Provisions 53(1)(e) and 53(2)(c)(v) and subsection 40(3.1) of the Act are clear and unambiguous. Follows Income Tax Technical News No. 5.
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2009-034991
Anne Dagenais
Advocate, M. Fisc. B.A.A.
December 15, 2010
Dear Sir,
Subject: Adjusted cost base - limited partnership
This is further to your letter dated December 1, 2009 in which you requested our opinion regarding the calculation of the adjusted cost base ("ACB") of an interest in a limited partnership ("LP").
More specifically, you described a situation where the LP was formed on January 1, 2007. Limited Partner A invested, on that date, the sum of $10,000. The LP fiscal-period end was December 31. The LP did not make any profit and it did not suffer any loss for its first fiscal period ending on December 31, 2007. In February 2008, the LP realized a capital gain. The portion of this gain allocable to Limited Partner A was $100,000. That gain must appear on a T5013 form issued for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2008. A withdrawal of $100,000 was made by Limited Partner A in March 2008.
Unless otherwise indicated, all legislative references herein are to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (the "Act").
Our Comments
It appears to us that the situation described in your letter and summarized above could constitute an actual situation involving taxpayers. As stated in Information Circular 70-6R5, it is not the practice of the Directorate to issue a written opinion regarding proposed transactions otherwise than through advance rulings. If your situation involved specific taxpayers and one or more transactions, you should submit all relevant facts and documents to the appropriate Tax Services Office for its opinion. However, we can offer the following general comments that may be helpful to you.
Under paragraph 53(1)(e), where the property is an interest in an LP, it is necessary to add, in computing the ACB of a partner's interest:
[…]an amount in respect of each fiscal period of the partnership ending after 1971 and before that time, equal to the total of all amounts each of which is the taxpayer’s share[ … ] of the income of the partnership from any source for that fiscal period, computed as if this Act were read without reference to […]
In Income Tax Technical News No. 5 dated July 28, 1995, the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") states, in accordance with subparagraph 53(1)(e)(i), that in computing the adjusted cost base of a member's interest in a partnership at a particular time, only the income or loss of the partnership for fiscal periods already ended will be taken into account at that time.
Furthermore, by virtue of subparagraph 53(2)(c)(v), in computing the ACB of an interest, at a particular time, there is to be deducted, in respect of the interest, any amount received by the taxpayer after 1971 and before that time in respect of a distribution of the taxpayer’s share of the partnership profits or partnership capital.
Subsection 40(3.1) provides for the application of certain rules that apply inter alia to the limited partners of a partnership, in particular where the ACB of the interest of those partners in the partnership is negative at the end of the fiscal period of the partnership. Generally, even if there is no disposition of the interest, under this subsection where the ACB of an interest held by a limited partner is negative at the end of the partnership's fiscal period, the limited partner is deemed to have realized a capital gain. By virtue of subparagraph 53(1)(e)(vi), that capital gain will be added in computing the ACB to take it to nil. In addition, the member will be required to include, in computing the member’s ACB for the taxation year that includes the time that the partnership's fiscal period ends, a capital gain equal to the member’s negative ACB. The amount of the gain to be included is calculated under subsection 40(3.11).
In the situation described above, we are of the opinion that the ACB of Limited Partner A's interest as at December 31, 2008 is negative in the amount of $90,000 after taking into account the withdrawal of $100,000 made in March 2008. As a result, Limited Partner A would have a deemed capital gain of $90,000, which is equal to Limited Partner A's negative ACB at the end of the partnership's fiscal period. In this case, the ACB of the interest is adjusted to nil as of December 31, 2008. In addition, in computing the ACB of the Limited Partner's interest in the LP on January 1, 2009, it is necessary to take into account the income of the LP for its fiscal period ended December 31, 2008 that was distributed to Limited Partner A. Based on the foregoing and assuming that there are no other items adjusting the ACB of Limited Partner A's interest, Limited Partner A's ACB as of January 1, 2009 would be $100,000.
These comments do not constitute an advance income tax ruling and are not binding on the CRA in respect of any particular factual situation.
We hope that the above comments will be helpful to you and answer your questions.
Best regards,
François Bordeleau, Advocate
Manager
Business and Partnerships Section
Income Tax Rulings Directorate.
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