Investment Q&A

Q: Peter; If the Liberals raise the capital gains tax rate to 75 % what would you expect the market reaction to be and would it weaken the CAD? Thanks. Rod

Q: Hi:

If I make a charitable donation, for example 200 shares in kind, of a stock with a capital gain of 300% there would be no tax payable. If I purchase the same stock within 30 days, what, if any, are the tax ramifications?

Ron Vandendriessche

Q: This is a tax question. How do I report Canadian Oil Sands takeover by Suncor. I ended up selling the Suncor shares in 2016 as well. Do I have to report it as 2 seperate transactions or can I report it as 1. ie. What I paid for COS and then what I sold SU at. Thanks

Q: Regarding Bill's RRSP transfer to Questrade from a brokerage, the main issue of selling the investments to reinvest the funds is the tax implication. The sold RRSPs would be taxed, likely at 25%, and depending upon his RRSP contribution limit, he might not be able to reinvest the net sum. The RRSP amount would be included in his taxable income for the year of withdrawal and if large enough would "bump" him into a higher tax bracket. He would pay tax on the withdrawal at his marginal rate.

As you suggested, the transfer in kind is the only way to make this transfer without incurring any tax.

Q: Will putting this ETF in my TFSA trigger a US withholding tax? My feeling is that this tax only applies to dividends and seeing that his ETF is a small cap one, would the dividends be negligible? Tnx

Q: I hold the BMO S&P 500 Index ETF(ZSP-U, listed in US dollars) in my RRSP. I purchased this fund and had assumed it would be exempt from US withholding taxes but I’ve noted that it is listed on the TSX. Is it exempt the same way that an ETF like VTI would be?

Q: Hello 5i team. My question is in regards to taxation. I have an investment account at a CDN discount brokerage in US dollars. If I was to buy a cdn company say TD bank that trades on the US market and buy it in US dollars how would the dividends be treated? Would the dividends be paid in US dollars or paid in CDN dollars then converted back to US dollars? If they are paid in US dollars then are they subject to the 10-15% US withholding tax? I am trying to find investments that I can buy with US dollars but not be subject to the US withholding tax. Thanks

Q: Hi5i,
Can you explain how this dividend is paid out as far as tax purposes and what is their payout ratio. Would it be suitable to hold in a rsp account.
Thanks Dave

Q: Hi,

I've got equity in my cash account that I'd like to sell and buy again in my TFSA. Is there a a period of time I have to wait between when I sell and then buy again?

Thx,

Cam.

Q: Re form 1135 is zqq in my non registered account to be counted when reporting ? James

Q: I am not quite clear on tax implications for the following scenario. Could you please confirm (or not !) if I am correct or if there are other implications ?

If, in a Non-Registered Account, I hold a Canadian-domiciled ETF or Mutual Fund that owns a mix of Canadian, U.S. and possibly other international companies, then:

1) 15% of the U.S. company dividends will be withheld by the U.S. (Or whatever equivalent withholding tax if non-U.S.but international) This amount is reported at year end through the Fund/ETF, and reflected on the tax slip I receive from my brokerage. When I fill out my return, I can then apply for a foreign tax credit which means I should get back all the tax that was withheld.
2) The portion of dividends from the Canadian companies held by the Fund/ETF will be eligible for the Dividend Tax Credit but NOT the portion from the U.S. or international companies.

Thank you for your help !

Q: I would like to point out that when transferring an investment from a non-registered account to one's TFSA as a payment in kind, the unrealized capital gain is recognized at the time of transfer but unfortunately the unrealized loss is not recognized and is not allowed to be applied against any gains nor available for carry forward.

Q: The answer to a t1135 question by Sylvia 2 days ago wasn't correct:

T1135 - This form has nothing to do with the USA or USA estate taxes. It is a form required by the Canadian government. The purpose of the form is to make taxpayers more forthcoming about assets they have outside Canada. The problem is that the people that file the forms are the same ones that would report their foreign income anyways and the ones that have hidden foreign assets will just ignore the T1135 requirement. The penalty for not filing / late-filing is $25/day to a maximum of $2,500. Registered assets don't have to be reported on the T1135.

Q: I have about 110,000 dollar that I will be investing in your balanced portfolio and the etf ViG. About 45,000 dollars will be in a non registered account and 65,000 in TFSA. I am avoiding RRSP because I have a good pension. My tax person said that I would save tax by putting the non dividend equities to the non=registered account. I plan to leave the investments in for 7-8 year As well will vig be taxed at a higher rate because it is non-Canadian if it is in the non-registered?

Q: Re form 1135. Are US ETF holdings exempt when held in RRIF and TFSA accounts when calculating amounts?

Q: I'm in borderline Top 1% Tax Bracket, so I'm looking for a Flow Thro Fund. The Sprott 2016 Short Duration closed early, run by Eric Nutall. Can you recommend another? And, since I'm maxed out in my RRSP & TFSA, is it ok in a Margin/Cash a/c?

Many Thank

Q: It is time to invest new TFSA money. I wonder if you could rank these six small cap companies for potential growth?
DXD, DBO, IRD, ITC, PEO and TNC.

Thank you

Q: Further to Paul's question on the 15% withholding on US dividends, what is the situation if XYZ was not held in a TSFA? Do we, as Canadians get a tax credit for the 15% withheld or do we just lose it altogether? Henry

Q: Claire had asked a question regarding the purchase of a equity all ready owned (at a profit) with the objective of reducing the cost base. I believe this will only work if you wait the 30 days before selling otherwise you would be in violation of the tax act.

Q: hello 5i:
I'm having a bit of trouble with the specifics of taxation on US dividends, on stocks held within a TFSA. I'll ask it in 2 parts. Perhaps the following example will put this one to bed. If we hold XYZ, a fictitious US company paying a $1 dividend (simplifying as much as possible), then a 15% witholding tax is applied. Correct so far. Now, are the remaining dividends ($0.85/share) taxed again, or are they free and clear?
Part 2: do the US dividends received from XYZ have to be declared in annual income tax reporting?
thanks for your help
Paul L