Monday, September 28, 2015

Canadian Tax Primer 12: KiddieTax

No, the government has not decided to impose a tax on the number of children that you have.  In tax jargon, “kiddie tax” refers to a special tax on certain types of income “earned” by a child under the age of 18.  In general, that income is income that has been generated through the efforts of the child’s parent.  For example, the parent might have an incorporated business.  If a family trust holds shares of that corporation and receives dividends that are flowed through to a child who is under the age of 18, the dividend will be taxed as if the child paid tax at the top marginal rate of tax.

The kiddie tax applies only in respect of specific types of income.  The types of income include dividend income from private (i.e. family) corporations as well as business income derived from a business of providing goods or services to a business carried on by a relative.  In contrast, no kiddie tax applies to a dividend paid by a corporation that is listed on a stock exchange. 

The kiddie tax ceases to apply in the year that the child is 17 years old at the start of the year (i.e. the year the child turns 18).  Unless the child is a prodigy and goes to university at a young age, therefore, the kiddie tax will not apply to university-age children.  Therefore, it still makes sense to establish a family trust for the purpose of splitting family corporation income with university-age children.


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The above article provides general commentary of an educational nature. It does not constitute advice for any specific person or any specific set of circumstances. Because circumstances vary, readers should consult professional advisers in order to obtain advice that is applicable to their specific circumstances.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Canadian Tax Primer 11: Childhood Attributions

Tax Primer 10 (click here to read it) discussed the income tax attribution rules as they apply between spouses.

Separate attribution rules apply in respect of children (including grandchildren and great-grandchildren) as well as nieces and nephews, but only during the time that they are under 18 years of age.  These “under-18” attribution rules apply only in respect of investment income (such as interest and dividends).  The rules do not apply in respect of capital gains.  For example, a grandparent might gift money to a non-discretionary trust established for the benefit of a grandchild who is under 18 years of age.  Any interest or dividend income earned by the trust will be taxed as if it had been earned by the grandparent.  However, no attribution will apply in respect of capital gains.  If the trust invests in a growth mutual fund and realizes capital gains, the trust will pay the tax on the capital gain at the child’s low rate of tax and not the grandparent’s higher rate.

Attribution rules in respect of under-18 year olds generally cease in the year that the child, grandchild, great-grandchild, niece or nephew turns 18.  Attribution can continue to apply, however, in respect of certain loan arrangements.


Visit the Dwyer Tax Law web site
for information about our services and lawyers' profiles.

The above article provides general commentary of an educational nature. It does not constitute advice for any specific person or any specific set of circumstances. Because circumstances vary, readers should consult professional advisers in order to obtain advice that is applicable to their specific circumstances.