Residence Of A Trust

In order to protect its tax base, the Canadian government taxes foreign trusts on the disposition of taxable Canadian property, and taxes certain foreign trusts on their income as if the trusts were resident in Canada. By taxing foreign trusts, Canada frustrates those tax planning strategies that move capital offshore to escape Canadian taxation. By imposing tax on the disposition of taxable Canadian property, Canada is able to tax capital growth realized in Canada.

In order for an offshore trust to fall within the tax net of Canada, the following two conditions must be present:

  • a beneficiary is a Canadian resident, a corporation or trust that deals at nonarm’s-length with a Canadian resident, or a controlled foreign affiliate of a Canadian resident, at any time in the taxation year, and
  • the trust acquired the property from that beneficiary (or individual at non-arm’s length to the beneficiary) who was resident in Canada at any time during the 18 month period before the trust’s taxation year-end, and, in the case of an individual, who was resident in Canada for any period(s) of more than 60 months.

This deeming rule catches most tax strategies that entail Canadians simply placing capital into an offshore trust while retaining access to the capital by naming Canadian beneficiaries. While there are a few exceptions, they are generally somewhat remote and beyond the scope of this article.

In a recent court decision, the Canadian tax net was extended to two foreign trusts that were established to avoid the conditions listed above. The taxpayers’ strategy was unsuccessful because the decision-making and control over the trust assets was exercised from Canada.

A summary of the relevant facts is as follows:

  • Two Canadian individuals (unrelated but shareholders of the same company) settled two offshore trusts in Barbados to hold the common shares of the company issued as part of an estate freeze. St Michael Trust Corporation acted as trustee for the Fundy Settlement and the Summersby Settlement.
  • The underlying operating company grew in value and was eventually sold. The two offshore trusts realized substantial capital gains, claimed that the capital gains were exempt from taxation in Canada (as disposition of taxable Canadian property) pursuant to the Canada – Barbados Tax Treaty, and claimed refunds of tax withheld and remitted by the purchaser of the company.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) assessed the trusts as being liable for income tax in Canada on the basis that the trusts were resident in Canada. The CRA took the position that irrespective of the factual residency of the trustees, the mind and management of the trusts was in Canada because all of the important decisions with respect to the disposition of the company were made in Canada.

The taxpayer appealed the CRA’s assessment to the Tax Court of Canada, who affirmed the assessment, stating that the responsibility for the trust’s decisions was carried out not by the Barbados-resident trustee, but by two of the trust’s beneficiaries who were resident in Canada.

The taxpayer appealed the Tax Court’s decision to the Federal Court of Appeal who affirmed the lower court’s decision. The Federal Court of Appeal stated that the residence of a trust may not always be determined by the residence of its trustees and the test of central management and control should be applied. Finally, in April of 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada heard an appeal of the case and again affirmed that the residence of a trust should be determined based on the central management and control test.

This case has important implications to all trust planning. No longer will a simple test of trustee residence be applied, but rather the location of mind and control will be a factor to be considered. This applies to offshore trusts as well as interprovincial planning involving locating trusts in other provinces.

E.O. & E.

Disclaimer:

This commentary is published by the Institute in consultation with an editorial board comprised of recognized authorities in the fields of law, life insurance and estate administration.

The Institute is the professional organization that administers and promotes the CLU and the CHS designations in Canada.

The articles and comments are not intended to provide legal, accounting or other device in individual circumstances. Seek professional assistance before acting upon information included in this publication.

Advocis*, the Institute for advanced financial education.

(The Institue”), CLU, CHS, FHF.C and APA are trademarks of the financial advisors Association of Canada (TFAAC).

The institute is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advocis. Copywrite TFAAC. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction of any images or content without permission is prohibited.

Copywrite  ISSN 0382-7038

Contributors to this edition:

James W. Kraft, cpa, ca, mtax, tep, cfp, clu, ch.f.c.
Deborah Kraft, mtax, tep, cfp, clu, ch.f.c.

Tags:

About The Author

Mark Schneider
Mark Schneider is one of Canada's leading Chartered Financial Planners. For over 30 years he has helped hundreds of regular Canadian families grow small fortunes through consistent planning and wise advice. He holds the following designations: CFP, CLU, CHFC, CFSB

Get ready for your new life. It’ll be a great ride!

OUR

MA Scheneider

Perspectives Articles

Schneider Insurance Update

Stock markets have continued to move considerably higher since our las...

SCAMS, SCAMS, SCAMS AND MORE SCAMS

Watch this 50 second video, and then read the rest of the article. &nb...

WHAT CANADA NEEDS TO PROSPER

Government tax revenue (when not wasted) is what builds countries into...

Schneider Insurance Update

Despite a terrible fall season in both stock and bond markets, we’ve...

SCHNEIDER INSURANCE UPDATE

Stock markets have managed to move ahead moderately this year but appe...

THE 100X INCREASE IN FRAUD

One of the areas we watch with interest and concern is fraud and the i...

We Celebrate Savers

At M.A. Schneider Insurance, we believe the saver deserves to be celebrated.

After all, it’s the saver that is conscientious every day to gradually create wealth for all.

That habit not only creates security for them but for their families and for the community as a whole.

We think they sometimes lose sight of how important they are.

This blog is here to help them. To help inspire them to stay the course and ultimately lead the great lives that they deserve.

Here’s What to Expect

1. Insight we gather about what’s going on that may affect the long-term quality of your life…

While there is a lot on the Internet, we know that making the best decisions for your life is often based on knowing just what your options are.

2. We hope that understanding what’s going on will help with perspective on what you can do.

3. New innovation and resources you can seek out.

This blog will offer an insight into the future because whether we like it or not, we’re going there. We’ll do the research to find the innovations that you should know about.