Investment Q&A

Q: After reading Peter's May 29th question on withholding taxes on Limited Partnerships [LPs] I worry a lot about the Brookfield companies, in particular about BEP.UN = Brookfield Renewable Partners LP. and BIP.UN = Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP. Are these not limited partnerships?

You say they are "domiciled" in Bermuda I believe, and BAM is moving it's head office to the US so it is all most confusing. Are these companies safe to own now or should I just sell them and move on to other less worrisome companies? They are in my cash account. Trouble is I have very large unrealized capital gains in BIP.UN and BEP.UN and nice dividend income so really don't want to trigger the taxes.
Thank you......... Paul K.

Q: The Moneysaver magazine has a list of high dividend US companies some are limited partnerships.What are the Canada and US tax obligations for dividends received in Canada from a US limited partnership?

Q: Hello 5i,

Sorry to add another question on Withholding tax. If the proposal goes through, is there an advantage to hold CDR's instead of US stocks directly?

Thank you for your help.

D&J

Q: Hi group what the suggested strategy to deal with proposed increase in withholding tax . I am hesitant to buy any more us stocks in my non registered +TSFA accounts ...maybe even sell some? i know we should wait until the prosed increase happens ...looking at US verses Canada stocks in general. Presently CAD are doing better so selling and replacing with CAD stocks may just work out just fine ...thoughts

Q: Hello 5i,
I have read the Q&A around the proposed u.s. tax changes and am unclear as to whether or not holdings within registered plans (LIFs, RRIF's, RRSP's, RESP's(?)) are impacted, or if they retain their current, somewhat protected, status. I am assuming - perhaps completely incorrectly - that the questions asked have been referring to non-registered investments, but that - knowing Trump, registered plans will take the hit as well?
One thought would be - upon finalization of the bill, in whatever end form it finally takes - for 5i to write a report on the impact to Canadian investors once the dust has settled and the ramifications are known.
Many thanks, as always!!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: The impending big ugly Republican bill is supposed to increase the witholding taxes for Canadians, on certain companies.

According to the Globe ("Trump’s new bill threatens major tax increases for Canadian companies", by Clare O’Hara and Rudy Mezzetta, May 22, 2025), this would include, "Canadian corporations that receive dividends from U.S. subsidiaries" and "Canadian individuals who own U.S. securities directly". This tax would rise to 50 percent from 5% and 15% respectively.
Though I do not depend on dividend income, I do own a couple of securities which I am wondering about:

Brookfield Corp: A company based in Canada but which is trying to become based in the US. Though this has a small USD yield, would it be affected?

Purpose US Cash High Interest ETF: This pays interest in USD on USD but is a Canadian company. Would this interest be affected by this bill?

Can you name some companies in particular that would be hit hard by this?

Lastly, I wonder if our pension plans, like CPP, HOOPP, etc would be affected significantly and how would they respond? Any insight on that?

Thanks as always.

Q: Hello Peter,
With the recent announcement of the tax bill in the US where the withholding tax could increase to 50 percent from the current 15 percent, is this only for non registered and TFSA accounts? I am assuming the RRSPs are exempt as there is currently no withholding tax on RRSPs from US domiciled companies.. Thanks for your service.

Q: Here is a part of the Globe and Mail article

"On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Republican legislation, titled the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, with a narrow vote of 215-214. If it becomes law, it will override the Canadian-U.S. tax treaty that has been in place since 1942.
The 1,100-page document includes section 899, a tax proposal created as a retaliatory measure against what the U.S calls “discriminatory or unfair taxes” of foreign countries, including Canada’s digital services tax (DST), which was introduced in 2024.

The U.S legislation is still required to be passed by the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law. The White House expects the President to sign the final bill by July 4.
Canadian corporations that receive dividends from U.S. subsidiaries are currently subject to a 5-per-cent withholding rate under the tax treaty between the U.S. and Canada, much lower than the statutory rate of 30 per cent.
But under section 899, Canadian companies would see their tax rate increase by five percentage points each year until it reaches 20 percentage points above the statutory rate, or 50 per cent. It would remain in place until the “unfair tax” is removed.
Similarly, Canadian individuals who own U.S. securities directly are subject to a 15-per-cent withholding tax rate under the current treaty, reduced from the statutory rate of 30 per cent. Under section 899, the withholding rate could ultimately rise to 50 per cent."

July 04 is not far from today. If US government impose such taxes and the Mark Carney Government failed to address it, it will impact my portfolio which is heavily dominated by shares of US corporations. Such bill may also tank US market as Candian have the largest share of foreign investment in USA. What would advise in such situation, wait to see whether Senate approved it and then President signs it or take action and encash a part of the portfolio?

Q: There is an article in today's G&M "trump's new bill threatens major tax increases for Canadian companies". Could you comment generally on how this may play out in various ways and sectors. And specifically to PRL, SLF, BAM, CSU, CLS and ENB.
Thank You and please deduct accordingly.
Tim

Q: Just read this in Globe and Mail - Canadian individuals who own U.S. securities directly are subject to a 15 per cent withholding tax rate under the current treaty. Under the new bill the withholding rate could ultimately rise to 50 per cent.
If you were me, what would you do???......tom

Q: Hi
How is Section 899 of the proposed U.S. 2025 tax reform expected to impact Lumine Group (LMN) in the short and medium term, particularly in terms of tax liabilities and profitability, given that it is a Canadian company operating in the U.S.? Do these potential impacts make LMN less attractive as an investment at this time?

Q: Would you need to have a US $ account to hold and what’s involved for a tfsa and are there any tax implications from withdrawal from tfsa?

Q: Regarding the proposed 5% excise tax on funds leaving the US, there was a comment that it may affect foreigners from investing in the US.......how would this affect a CND who holds US Stocks in a Canadian brokerage account?

Q: So in regards to Leon’s question on 5% excise tax on funds leaving the US ; this would apply if I sold my house in Florida and transferred the funds back to Canada ? Holly cow !

Q: Are you aware of the following. I assume it may impact ownership of American stocks

Section 112105 of the bill introduces a 5% excise tax on remittance transfers of U.S. currency to foreign countries.
• This tax would apply to various forms of money transfers from the U.S. to other nations, potentially affecting individuals sending funds to family members abroad, including Canadian residents.
• The bill is currently under consideration and has not yet become law.

For Canadians with U.S. assets or those who receive income from the U.S., this proposed tax could have implications if enacted. It’s advisable to monitor the progress of this legislation and consult with a cross-border tax advisor to understand potential impacts on your financial situation.

Q: In retirement I currently rely on my non-registered portfolio to provide about 80% of my income. Within this portfolio only 15% of the portfolio could be classified as dividend or income stocks (like CNQ, RY with 3-5% dividends). Thus far I have been creating income by skimming from my growth stocks, rebalancing when needed, and cashing in on my losers. While I recognize that a higher portion of dividend stocks would provide a greater sense of income certainty and less volatility, I have felt reluctant to forgo, what I currently believe to be, the potential for greater growth by focusing on the careful and patient management of higher potential growth stocks.
Question: From your experience, will I have a greater probability (not certainty) of creating more income in the long term (10 years) through this strategy or should I rely on a greater portion of dividend stocks?

Q: Hi,

I was looking to purchase some Tesla US this morning and I, for the first time, saw the Canadian CDR currency hedged option. Can you provide any guidance as to the preference of one over the other. (I do get that the currency risk (or alternately, reward) is reduced (or eliminated). Is there any other information should be aware of ?

Q: I have put a large portion of my cash in CASH and TCSH due to my reluctance to lock in the money. My question more on taxing of proceeds: are both taxed fully as income?

Q: Just following up on a question today regarding selling a stock in a non-registered account and buying it back in an RRSP or TFSA. I understand the superficial loss rules, but how would the CRA track a purchase in an RRSP if one’s RRSP trading records are not sent to them by one’s broker? My understanding from personal experience is that only non-registered account information is forwarded to the CRA.

Q: Re: Non-registered account. If a BUY transaction was done within the prior 30 days and now a PARTIAL SELL transaction is done resulting in a loss.....

QUESTION: Is the tax loss claimable or does the loss amount need to be considered superficial and added to the adjusted costbase of the remaining position? No further transactions would be contemplated for at least 30 days after the most recent PARTIAL SELL transaction.