Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Team,

I have owned IPL for 18 years now and have incurred a loss over that period. Regarding the purchase of this company by Brookfield Infrastructure; if I accept their offer (cash/stock etc.) am I still able to claim my loss as a capital loss even though in my mind no real disposition has taken place? I cannot find succinct enough information on this in order to make my decision.

Thank you so much,
Dean

Q: I would like to own some simple diversified US equity both in my RRSP and a non registered account.

#1.currency exchange aside does it matter TAX-WISE (dividend withholding tax) which one is in the RRSP

#2. considering currency exchange costs, do you recommend going with VOO or sticking to VFV in a non registered account. (factors to consider , amount invested will likely be upwards of 100 000 and long term hold)

thanks

Ernie

Q: I seek clarification please to your response dated July 29, 2021 about converting my father’s RRSP to a RRIF. You wrote:

“ #1 Essentially, yes. The tax liability is the same, but the benefit comes from more money in the account left to compound (as less $$ comes out initially).”

However , if securities are left to compound, once funds are withdrawn, the additional capital gains accrued would be taxed in full. But if the capital gains are accrued in a taxable account, only half of such gains would be taxable ( and only 50% of capital losses would be allowed). Is this correct? If yes, the advantage you mentioned of funds left to compound in the RRIF needs to be offset by the fact that incremental net capital gains in the RRIF are fully taxed on withdrawal (or death). Is this not likely to offset the advantage you mentioned? Is it also correct that dividends on a Canadian company do not get the benefit of the dividend tax credit if held in any registered account, including a RRIF?

I apologize if my understanding of your July 29 response is flawed. I trust you will understand why I seek clarification before I make an error on a parent’s savings. Thank you so much.

Q: Hi 5i team, Any thing wrong with QR to cause a big drop. Thanks.

Q: I hold wpt in an unregistered account with a 60% gain. What will happen to my shares when Blackstone acquires them? I'm trying to avoid capital gains.
Thanks,
Andrea

Q: Why the strong differences in type of assets (cash) held between ZPAY and ZWC? Are they not trying to do much the same thing?
And would you remind me of the tax implications on ZPAY dividends when held in a RIF
With thanks

Q: Your assessment of this Algonquin Power US$security is very much appreciated, particularly as to suitability for a registered account.
Thank you!

Q: Hello friends,

I own IPL:CA in my RRSP account and, since I like BIP, I would like to continue with them.

As we know, the offer is $CAD 20 or 0.25 of a BIPC:CA share subject to proration.

However, there is a fairly large price differential between BIP:US/BIP.UN:CA and BIPC:US/BIPC:CA and I would like to take advantage of that.

My plan is to tender for cash and then buy BIP:US/BIP.UN:CA.

Is there any tax impact on holding BIP:US/BIP.UN:CA (a Bermuda LP) vs holding BIPC:US/BIPC:CA (a Canadian corp) in an RRSP account e.g. withheld taxes?

Does my plan make sense?

Thank you for your valuable advice.

Q: In July, 2022, when my mortgage is due for renewal (with $90,00 left), say if I refinance for 80% of the value of the condo (about $240,000), would the new mortgage money be tax deductible while still not deducting the carry over amount (about $90,000). In this case $240,000 minus $90,000 would be deductible, with an ongoing ratio of $240,000/$90,000 or 266.67% of every future payment of interest, until the mortgage is paid off.

I realise this is a question for an accountant, but was wondering if you would know?

Q: Hi Peter
In 2020, 70% of Q3 and Q4 distribution is marked as “Trust Income”. If held in a taxable account, what is the tax implication of this component? Is it treated as dividend or interest income?

https://www.alarisequitypartners.com/upload/media_element/attachments/412/Tax%20split%20of%20distributions%202020.pdf

Q: I have a follow-up question on TTE. As a French company that trades in the U.S. what would the withholding tax be in a non-registered Canadian account?

Thank-you.

Q: I will soon start to withdraw from my RRSP and I am looking for tax saving ideas. I don’t like the idea that if I was hit by a bus tomorrow (aside from negative outcome for me) that my RRSP would be taxed at 53.53% and my dependents would be left with less than my hard-earned savings. I need your advice and yes I will look both ways before crossing the street. I recently listened to an audio by Allan Schieman where he suggests flow-through shares as a tax saving option. It seems like an interesting idea with some risk. I searched and found a Maple Leaf Fund managed by Craig Porter in BC. I suspect there are many pitfalls here, and I seek your advice and input on two questions i.e, 1. are there any reasonable/recommended flow-through share investment vehicles to help save taxes and 2. How else can I reduce RRSP withdrawal taxes? Please deduct as many questions you see fit. Thanks for your valuable advice.

Q: Are withholding taxes treated the same whether in personal taxable accounts versus being in corporate accounts? In other words, is there a benefit to having certain ETFs in personal taxable account versus a corporate account?

Thanks

Q: Since NTR pays a 3% dividend, for tax efficiency, is it better to hold the stock in a RSP or a TFSA?

Q: I hold a position in XBC that was roughly 2% at purchase, but has dropped by roughly 40% (meaning the position is closer to 1% now). I still believe that this company could return to a better valuation, but that I have an opportunity to crystallize a loss before that time. I would like to purchase a placeholder investment in the same space which XBC operates, and I already have a position in CMC that I am not quite ready to increase (even though it is up nicely since my initial purchase). Is there any other company that you might suggest as a candidate to act as a placeholder for thirty days before I purchase XBC once again, after the loss can be crystallized? Conversely, would you feel that a strong argument could be made that even attempting to crystallize a loss in this position would introduce undue risk to a portfolio? Any insight would be much appreciated, as always. Thanks so much, and I look forward to your response.

Q: It is my understanding that a 75% Capital Gain Inclusion Rate means simply that 75% of the capital gains are subject to tax. The percentage of tax owing is based on one's income. So if one's income was low enough the tax owed on the capital gain might be less than 75%. Brenda's question and your response seems to suggest otherwise. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
Thanks,
Jim

Q: Say the capital gains inclusion rate increase from 50% to 75%. Does that mean it doesn't matter how long you've held the stock when you sell it gains are taxed at 75%? I'm not sure how the last rate changes were implemented but you may recall.

Q: I have USA stocks in joint margin account with Canadian Broker .
When calculating if cost amount of total value Foreign Property exceeds $100,000 CAD I will use highest total value of Book Cost of all US securities.
My question is: do you have to include in calculation of Total Amount any cash siting in my US account?

Andrew

Q: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WITH DRAWING FROM AN RRSP ACCOUNT. MY WIFE WANTS TO WITHDRAW $20,000 FROM HER RRSP ACCOUNT FROM AUGUST TO END OF YEAR. BY WITH DRAWING $5,000 AT A TIME SHE WILL PAY 10% OVER THE COUNTER FEES. BUT OUR BROKER TOLD US THAT HER SECOND WITHDRAW THEY WOULD TAKE 20% INSTEAD OF 10% I FIND IT LITTLE STRANGE BECAUSE IN THE PAST I WITH DREW $5,000 AT A TIME TO ONLY PAY 10%. OR HAS SOMETHING CHANGED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

Q: My investment income has been bumping up against the OAS clawback level the last couple years (damn that dividend gross-up!), so I have moved some investments into reits and ETFs with high return of capital to keep reportable income down. Aside from the obvious - that ROC becomes capital gains when the stock is sold - are there some negatives about ROC or high ROC stocks of which I should be aware?
Thank-you