Tag Archive for Grant Gilmour

Canada: What You Must Know About Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

Grant Gilmour-Provincial Sales Tax

Provincial sales tax (PST) is a retail sales tax that applies when a taxable good or service is purchased, acquired or brought into B.C., unless a specific exemption applies.

The PST generally applies to:

  • The purchase or lease of new and used goods in B.C.
  • Goods brought, sent or delivered into B.C. for use in B.C.
  • The purchase of:
    • software
    • services to goods such as vehicle maintenance, furniture assembly, computer repair
    • accommodation
    • legal services
    • telecommunication services, including Internet services and certain digital and electronic media content such as music and movies
  • Gifts of vehicles, boats and aircraft

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Written by | Posted in Canada Tax • Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

Canada Tax – Books And Records Kept Outside Of Canada

Grant Gilmour Books And Records Kept Outside Of Canada

Is a non-resident corporation that is registered for a Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) account with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) required to keep records and books of account in Canada?

The Canadian Income Tax Act (ITA) requires everyone who registers for a GST/HST account to keep records and books of account in Canada in either English or French. However, CRA does allow the books and records to be kept outside of Canada in some circumstances. Read More

Written by | Posted in International

Canada: Speculation Tax On Real Estate

Grant Gilmour, Speculation Tax, Canadian Tax Help

What Is The Speculation Tax?

The 2018 budget released by the B.C. Government introduced a new tax on Real Estate effective in the 2018 tax year called Speculation Tax.

Real estate prices in B.C. have increased substantially in the last couple of years and there is increased interest and ownership of B.C. real estate by foreign parties. The speculation tax has been introduced by the B.C. Government as an attempt to help address this. The speculation tax is designed to target foreign and domestic home owners in B.C. who hold non-owner occupied properties which are not qualifying long-term rental properties. This tax will initially apply to homes in Metro Vancouver Regional District (excluding Bowen Island), the Capital Regional District (excluding the Gulf Islands), Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Kelowna and West Kelowna.

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Written by | Posted in Canada • Grant Gilmour

Security Deposit Required By Canadian Revenue Authority For Non-Resident Corporation

Grant Gilmour- Canada Revenue Authority Requires Security Deposit For Non- Resident Corporations

A non-resident corporation who is registered for GST/HST is required to provide and maintain a security deposit with the Canada Revenue Authority (CRA). However, if under a specified threshold of sales and net tax payable or refundable, a corporation may be exempt.

Discussion

The minimum amount of security is $5,000 CAD, but can be as a high as $1 million CAD. The initial security deposit amount is based on 50% of the estimated net tax for the year. Net tax is calculated using the company’s Canadian net profit (Canadian sales less Canadian expenses) for the year, multiplied by 5% GST rate (or HST if selling in provinces with HST — see International FAQ #39). Then 50% of the net tax amount is your required security deposit.

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Written by | Posted in Canada Tax • Non-Resident Corporation

Canada: Goods And Services Tax On Residential Real Estate

Grant Gilmour- Goods And Services Tax

In real estate, the beneficial owner of the property has the responsibility to collect GST and remit to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If the property is held “in trust” by another corporation or entity, the beneficial owner is still required to register and file GST returns. It is common for third parties such as agents or property managers to be designated to collect GST on rental income. There is a special election that allows the agent to remit GST on behalf of the owner, but responsibility is still on the beneficial owner.

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Written by | Posted in Canada • Goods And Services Tax

2018 Canadian Corporate Tax Rates By Province And Territory

Grant Gilmour, Canadian Income Tax Rates

We would like to thank TaxConnections Member Grant Gilmour for his post on 2018 Canadian Corporate Income Tax Rates. The Table below outlines the Canadian corporate income tax rates for each province and territory as of January 1, 2018.

 

Have a question about Canadian taxes? Contact Grant Gilmour.

 

 

Written by | Posted in Canadian Tax Rates • Grant Gilmour

Can Tax Really Be Avoided?

What do they mean when they say avoid tax? Can it really be avoided or is tax just a zero sum game like accounting?

The Income Tax Act has options for calculating and paying income tax. Tax is not a zero sum game. There are options to what rates are used. There are options to what number is used to calculate the tax. These options can reduce your taxes paid.

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Written by | Posted in Canada • Canada Tax • Income Tax • International

Change In The Use Of Real Estate

In real estate, it is common to change the use of property from income producing to some other purpose such as personal use and vice versa. When a change of use does occur, the property may be deemed disposed of at fair market value. There are different types of changes in use that will be discussed further and their respective tax consequences.

In a partial change in use, a taxpayer is deemed to dispose only a portion of the property. For example, if a property is used 60% for business and 40% for personal and now the property will be used 100% for business, then there will be a capital gain or loss on only 40% of the property at the fair market value. This is under the assumption that the property is personally held. If the corporation owned 100% of the property, then there may not be a capital gain on this partial change of use. However, the individual may have to pay rent at fair market value for their personal use portion.

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Written by | Posted in Income • Property • Real Estate

Canada Tax: Disposition Of Real Estate For Business Income Vs. Corporation Capital

A disposition of property can be categorized as business income or as a capital gain or loss. There are various factors to consider in determining if the disposition is business income or capital for a corporation.

As capital gains are only 50% taxable in Canada, it is generally more favorable for the taxpayer. However, capital losses are only deductible against capital gains. The capital losses can be carried back 3 years and carried forward against future capital gains. Therefore, your tax advantage may vary depending on the situation. Read More

Written by | Posted in Canada • International • Real Estate

Canada Tax: Qualifying Non-Resident Employee And Withholding Tax

If you are a certified qualifying non-resident employer, then you do not have to withhold taxes from the salary or other compensation paid to employees that are qualifying non-resident employees in Canada.

Discussion:

In order to be a qualifying non-resident employee, the employee must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with Canada at the time of the payment;
  • Not be liable for income tax in Canada due to the tax treaty and the type of payment received; and
  • Either works less than 45 days in the calendar year in Canada or is present less than 90 days in any 12 month period in Canada.

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Written by | Posted in Canada • International

Canada Tax: Capital Cost Allowance For Real Estate And What It Means

Capital cost allowance (CCA) is the tax term in Canada for the deduction of amortization on capital assets. There are separate classes of CCA for property, plant and equipment and different rates that apply to each class. There are some specific rules for claiming capital cost allowance related to real estate.

Once construction is complete, a building can be sold as inventory and earn business income, used to earn property income, or used to operate an active business. If the building is not being sold, then it will generally become depreciable property for the corporation. In order to be classified as depreciable property, the building must meet the following conditions: Read More

Written by | Posted in Canada Tax • Capital Cost Allowance

Tax Treatment Of Leasehold Improvements

In real estate, property and building leases are common signed agreements between two corporations. Leasehold improvements are generally building additions for the lease space paid for by the tenant (lessee). These costs are considered capital and amortized over the length of the lease.
Discussion:

Common lease periods for real property are 5 to 10 years.

The lease rates are negotiated by the lessor and the lessee at fair market value. The periodic lease payments are a deduction for the corporation. Upon termination of the lease, the leasehold improvements usually revert back to the lessor unless the lessee can remove them. Read More

Written by | Posted in Canada • International • Real Estate
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