17 May 2023 IFA Roundtable Q. 2, 2023-0964301C6 - Ukraine Russia FAs and Tax Reporting

Please note that the following document, although believed to be correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the CRA.
Prenez note que ce document, bien qu'exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la position actuelle de l'ARC.

Principal Issues: Some Canadian multinationals have subsidiaries in Ukraine or Russia that continued operating during 2022 in those countries. Due to the war, financial reporting from these subsidiaries may not be available for 2022. Will CRA grant any administrative relief in relation to the reporting requirements of Canadian multinationals covering their subsidiaries in Ukraine or Russia in case of tax reporting covering international operations, such as country-by-country reporting, forms T1134, etc. What is the CRA’s position with respect to such cases.

Position: Relief will be granted in certain circumstances. See response below.

Reasons: It is the practice of the CRA to determine on a case-by-case basis whether relief is appropriate in respect of the filing obligations under sections 233.1 (T106), 233.2 (T1141), 233.3 (T1135), 233.4 (T1134), 233.6 (T1142), and 233.8 (RC4649) of the Income Tax Act (“Act”). In respect of information that is factually not available at the time form T1141 or form T1134 is due to be filed, the due diligence exception in section 233.5 is available provided a description of each of a) the unavailable information, b) the circumstances making the information unavailable, and c) an explanation of the steps taken to obtain the information are provided on the form. The application of section 233.5 would also relieve any potential penalty under subsection 162(5).

If the particular taxpayer’s specific facts and circumstances warrant, the CRA will also consider granting relief under subsection 220(2.1) from the obligation to provide prescribed information or additional documents (e.g., the unconsolidated financial statements of a Ukrainian foreign affiliate that otherwise must be filed with form T1134). Although the CRA may provide relief in respect of the provision of prescribed information normally required in foreign reporting forms, the forms must still be filed by the taxpayer on or before the respective form’s filing due date.

2023 International Fiscal Association Conference
CRA Roundtable

Question 2 – Ukraine/Russia Reporting Requirements

Some Canadian multinationals have subsidiaries in Ukraine or Russia that continued operating during 2022 in those countries. Due to the war, financial reporting from these subsidiaries may not be available for 2022. Will CRA grant any administrative relief in relation to the reporting requirements of Canadian multinationals covering their subsidiaries in Ukraine or Russia in case of tax reporting covering international operations, such as country-by-country reporting, forms T1134, etc. What is the CRA’s position with respect to such cases.

CRA Response

The CRA recognizes that the on-going Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine has the potential to present challenges to Canadian multinationals with subsidiaries operating in that country in terms of meeting their foreign reporting obligations for their 2022 taxation year.

It is the practice of the CRA to determine on a case-by-case basis whether relief is appropriate in respect of the filing obligations under sections 233.1 (T106), 233.2 (T1141), 233.3 (T1135), 233.4 (T1134), 233.6 (T1142), and 233.8 (RC4649) of the Income Tax Act (“Act”).

In respect of information that is factually not available at the time form T1141 or form T1134 is due to be filed, the due diligence exception in section 233.5 is available provided a description of each of a) the unavailable information, b) the circumstances making the information unavailable, and c) an explanation of the steps taken to obtain the information are provided on the form. The application of section 233.5 would also relieve any potential penalty under subsection 162(5).

If the particular taxpayer’s specific facts and circumstances warrant, the CRA will also consider granting relief under subsection 220(2.1) from the obligation to provide prescribed information or additional documents (e.g., the unconsolidated financial statements of a Ukrainian foreign affiliate that otherwise must be filed with form T1134). Although the CRA may provide relief in respect of the provision of prescribed information normally required in foreign reporting forms, the forms must still be filed by the taxpayer on or before the respective form’s filing due date. Any Canadian multinational that wishes to request relief under subsection 220(2.1) should present their request to their Tax Services Office (TSO) in advance of the filing due date of the form in respect of which relief is being requested.

Under the taxpayer relief provisions, the CRA also can exercise discretion in cancelling penalties and interest in whole or in part, normally payable under the Act by a taxpayer. After an information return has been filed and processed, a request for penalty and interest relief under subsection 220(3.1) may be submitted. The CRA will consider each request based on the specific circumstances for that request. For more information about relief from penalties or interest and the related forms and publications, please consult canada.ca/penalty-interest-relief.

The question also inquiries about relief in respect of foreign subsidiaries located in Russia. Case-by-case consideration would be given to a request for relief in respect of such foreign subsidiaries, just as it would be given in respect of subsidiaries located in any other country.

Angelina Argento
2023-094630
May 17, 2023