Subsection 44(1) - Exchanges of property
Cases
Macklin v. The Queen, 92 DTC 6595, [1993] 1 CTC 21 (FCTD)
In August 1979 the taxpayer decided that she wished to have a portion of a farm then owned by her husband developed as a housing subdivision. In October 1979 top soil was stripped from approximately 60 acres, in January 1980 a joint venture agreement between a real estate developer and the family corporation was signed, on April 2, 1980 (the date of her husband's death) the taxpayer acquired the beneficial ownership of the lands and sometime between April 11, 1980 and May 23, 1980 the land was disposed of to the joint venture. In finding that the lands in question including the 60 acres constituted a former business property "immediately before" their disposition, notwithstanding that after being stripped of the top soil the 60 acres could be no longer utilized as farm land, Rothstein J. stated (p. 6602):
"... The word 'immediately' must be capable of an interpretation broader than 'instantly', that is an interpretation connoting 'closely' or 'proximately'. Otherwise, an interim renting of property or property sitting idle pending disposition would disqualify the taxpayer from availing herself of the replacement property rules."
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Statutory Interpretation - Resolving Ambiguity | 53 |
Hawkins v. The Queen, 91 DTC 5502 (FCTD)
Joyal J. found that although "no particular formality would be required in order to meet the election requirements under section 44" (p. 5505), here it could not be said that the taxpayer had made the election when she had reported to Revenue Canada neither the disposition of her farming property nor the acquisition of the other farm which she had received in exchange.
Mintenko v. The Queen, 88 DTC 6537, [1989] 1 CTC 40 (FCTD)
An amended schedule filed under cover of an accountant's letter dated May 31, 1982 was sufficient notification to Revenue Canada of the purchase by the taxpayer of a replacement property in his 1981 taxation year. [C.R.: 85(1)]
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 248 - Subsection 248(1) - Disposition | 61 | |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 54 - Principal Residence | 89 | |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 9 - Capital Gain vs. Profit - Real Estate | farm activity kept separate from trading activity | 124 |
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Form of taxpayer election
1.24 A taxpayer must elect to have the replacement property rules apply. The election should be made as follows:
- If the disposition and replacement take place in the same year, the taxpayer’s calculation (in the income tax return for that year) of the recaptured CCA or the capital gain by virtue of subsection 44(1) will be considered to constitute an election.
- If the property is not replaced until a subsequent year, the election should take the form of a letter attached to the income tax return for the year the replacement property is acquired. The letter should include a description of the replacement property and the former property, a request for an adjustment to the recapture of capital cost or the taxable capital gain reported, and a calculation of the revised recapture or taxable capital gain.
- If the replacement property is acquired prior to the year of disposition of the property, the election should take the form of a letter attached to the income tax return for the year in which the replacement property is acquired.
1.25 If a former property is depreciable property, subsection 44(4) provides that a taxpayer who elects on that property under subsection 44(1) is deemed to have also elected on that property under subsection 13(4). Similarly, if the taxpayer elects under subsection 13(4), the taxpayer is deemed to have elected under subsection 44(1) as well.
Partnership and partner are separate persons for replacement property purposes
1.53 The replacement property rules would … apply to a member of a partnership who acquires a replacement property for a personally owned former business property which is or was being used in the partnership business. However, these provisions would not apply to a situation where the partnership disposes of a former business property and a partner (or partners) acquires the replacement property. This is because pursuant to paragraph 96(1)(a), the partnership is considered to be a person separate from its partners for purposes of income and loss computations under subdivision j.
Application to non-residents
1.56 The replacement property rules can apply to a non-resident who has disposed of taxable Canadian property and who acquires a qualifying replacement property that is also taxable Canadian property … .
Application to deceased
1.57 Where a taxpayer dies or ceases to be resident in Canada and is deemed pursuant to section 70 or paragraph 128.1(4)(b) to have disposed of a capital property, the replacement property rules do not apply. However, where a taxpayer dies, subsection 72(2) will, in certain circumstances, permit an election so that a reserve under subsection 44(1) may be claimed in respect of the deceased person.
4 March 2015 External T.I. 2014-0550761E5 F - 44(1) et disposition partielle
A portion of a building was destroyed by fire, with a portion of the insurance proceeds used to reconstruct it. Although the building generated both property and business income, the portion of the building in question was only used in a business. CRA stated (TaxInterpretations translation):
[T]he compensation payable to the corporation under the insurance policy appear to come within paragraph (f) of the definition of "proceeds of disposition" in section 54… .
[I]t is thus necessary to determine if the damages received were, within a reasonable period, expended for repairing damages caused to the property. If that is the case, paragraph 12(1)(f) provides that the compensation received will be included in the computation of the income of the taxpayer… .
[T]he part of the building which was destroyed by fire was used in its totality to earn income from a business and therefore conformed with the definition of a former business property. If in the light of the damages for the building and the scale of the work to be effected it turns out that a new property is acquired by the taxpayer, section 44 can apply … .
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 12 - Subsection 12(1) - Paragraph 12(1)(f) | inclusion of insurance proceeds applied to building repair | 116 |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 248 - Subsection 248(1) - Former Business Property | part of building treated as former business property | 165 |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 54 - Proceeds of Disposition - Paragraph (f) | insurance proceeds received for destruction of part of building: compensation for property damaged rather than destroyed | 76 |
23 December 2014 External T.I. 2014-0551841E5 - Subsections 44(1) and 69(11) of the Act
Would proceeds of disposition deemed to arise by s. 69(11) be considered an amount that has become receivable by the taxpayer as proceeds of disposition for purposes of the replacement property rules in s. 44(1)? After referring to the qualified farm property deduction under s. 110.6(2) by a non-affiliated transferee as an example where s. 69(11) could apply, CRA stated (TaxInterpretations translation):
While subsection 69(11) does not specifically deem the taxpayer to have an amount receivable as proceeds of disposition (when it applies), the CRA will generally accept that this will not, in and by itself, prevent a taxpayer from making an election to have the replacement property rules in subsection 44(1) apply where all the required conditions set out in section 44 are otherwise met.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 122.1 - Subsection 122.1(1) - Gross REIT Revenue | implied receipt of deemed proceeds | 111 |
21 August 1995 External T.I. 9519755 - PROCEEDS OF DISPOSITION
In response to a question concerning s. 2 of the Partition of Property Act (B.C.), RC stated "if real property is jointly owned by three taxpayers, two of them may petition the court, pursuant to section 2 of the Partition Act, to have the property sold and the proceeds distributed, despite the fact that the third person dissents to the partition ... . [T]he proceeds of disposition received by the dissenting third party would be considered to be 'compensation for property taken under statutory authority' within the meaning of paragraph 54(c) ..."
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 54 - Proceeds of Disposition | 95 |
26 July 1995 External T.I. 9501585 - court ordered partition & sale disposition
Where as a result of the bankruptcy of one of the four co-tenants of rental properties, a court-appointed trustee receives court approval for severance, partition and sale of the property, the non-bankrupt co-tenants would be entitled to utilize s. 44(1) in respect of their proceeds (in this case, property interests in other co-owned buildings).
18 July 1995 T.I. (C.T.O. "Expropriation")
With respect to the sale of a portion of a ranch as a result of a possible expropriation, RC noted that "a sale based on the rumour of a possible expropriation that did not include a notice of intention was held not to qualify in the Damka Lumber (90 DTC 6101)" case.
24 April 1995 External T.I. 9504865 - EXCHANGES OF PROPERTY
A shareholder whose shares are acquired pursuant to s. 188 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) will be considered to have received his sale proceeds either as compensation for property taken under statutory authority or as the sale price of property sold to a person by whom notice of an intention to take it under statutory authority was given. Accordingly, the shareholder will be entitled to elect under s. 44(1) in respect of the disposition where the shareholder has, before the end of the second taxation year following the year of acquisition, acquired a capital property as a replacement property. A share of a corporation listed on a prescribed stock exchange in Canada would ordinarily be a replacement property in this situation.
25 July 1991 Memorandum (Tax Window, No. 7, p. 5, ¶1371)
The word "replacement" contemplates a direct substitution. Accordingly, there must be a causal relationship between the disposition of one property and the acquisition of the replacement.
87 C.R. - Q.34
There is no provision permitting the extention of the time periods set out in section 44.
Articles
Kroft, "An Update on Select Legal Issues Relating to Dispositions and Exchanges of Property", 1995 Corporate Management Tax Conference Report, c. 10.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 248 - Subsection 248(1) - Disposition | 0 | |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 44 - Subsection 44(2) | 0 |
Paragraph 44(1)(a)
Administrative Policy
5 March 2008 External T.I. 2007-0231831E5 F - Roulement de biens
Two individuals who are equal co-owners of two rental properties wish to terminate the undivided ownership so that each of them becomes a full owner of a building. It is submitted that where an application is made to a court for partition, the court may either order partition in kind if the property can be conveniently partitioned or allocated, or sale under the provisions of Chapter X of the Code of Civil Procedure of Quebec relating to the sale of the property of others, and that if the later occurs, there is a sale under statutory authority described in para. (d) of the definition of "proceeds of disposition" in ss. 54 and 13(21), so that the rollover in ss. 44(1) and 13(4) are available, notwithstanding that the properties are not former business properties.
In finding that the rollover was not available, CRA stated:
[S]ince neither Mr. A nor Mr. B can claim in this case to be able to "take" the other's property pursuant to the C.C.Q. - the court only being able to order the partition of the property or its sale - we believe that the proceeds of disposition resulting from an application for partition are neither compensation for property taken under statutory authority nor the amount of the sale price of the property sold to a person who has given notice of an intention to take it under statutory authority.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 54 - Proceeds of Disposition - Paragraph (d) | court-directed sale by partition court does not generate proceeds under para. (d) | 175 |
Paragraph 44(1)(c)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Replacement property can be acquired at any time after notice of intention to take
1.11 Where … a former property was taken under statutory authority, the replacement property can be acquired at any time after a taxpayer receives notice of an intention to take the property under statutory authority and before the time noted in [s. 44(1)(c)].
Paragraph 44(1)(e)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Example of s. 44(2) timing and reduced capital gain where proceeds not fully reinvested
- Example 3 (para. 1.14): The taxpayer’s property with an ACB of $100,000 is expropriated in 2014, a replacement property is acquired for $130,000 on September 30, 2017 and the court determines the compensation of $175,000 on July 15, 2017 (which, therefore, is the disposition date on s. 44(2). The taxpayer has a capital gain of $175,000 - $130,000, or $45,000.
Refund claim where replacement property acquired in subsequent year
1.15 A taxpayer is required to report any recaptured CCA or taxable capital gain arising from the disposition of a former property in the year of disposition. However, where a replacement property is acquired in a subsequent tax year and within specified time limits, the taxpayer may request a reassessment of the income tax return for the year of disposition of the former property. This will generate a refund in respect of the income tax paid on income arising on the disposition.
Provision of security pending replacement property acquisition
1.16 Having to pay tax that will be refunded when a replacement property is acquired could create a financial burden. To alleviate this financial burden, acceptable security may be provided in lieu of the payment of taxes owing until the time the final determination of taxes is made or the time period for acquiring the replacement property has expired. Where this practice is followed, the full cost of providing such security is borne by the taxpayer.
S. 44(1)(e) can be applied after s. 85(1)
1.48 In some cases, where a taxpayer disposes of a former business property to a taxable Canadian corporation and a subsection 85(1) election is made, a capital gain may result. In such case, a deferral of this gain is available pursuant to section 44 provided that the requirements of that section are otherwise met.
Replacement Share
Administrative Policy
8 April 2008 Internal T.I. 2008-0267811I7 F - Article 44.1 - Désignation tardive
In the year of disposition of the eligible small business corporation shares, the taxpayer filed an income tax return but failed to include the designation under s. 44.1.
After stating that Nassau Walnut created only a rebuttable inference that Parliament did not intend to grant the right to make a late designation, the Directorate stated:
Generally, the inference will be rebutted if allowing such a designation would defeat neither the purpose of the provision in question nor the intention of Parliament. In the present case … [it] may be permitted in the context of a reassessment. However, the CRA should not accept this late designation if the desire to make the designation under section 44.1 represents retroactive tax planning and if the failure to make the designation on the original return of income is the result of an error other than a bona fide error by the taxpayer.
Subsection 44(2) - Time of disposition and of receipt of proceeds
Articles
Kroft, "An Update on Select Legal Issues Relating to Dispositions and Exchanges of Property", 1995 Corporate Management Tax Conference Report, c. 10.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 248 - Subsection 248(1) - Disposition | 0 | |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 44 - Subsection 44(1) | 0 |
Paragraph 44(2)(a)
Cases
The Queen v. Shaw, 93 DTC 5121, [1993] 1 CTC 221 (F.C.A.)
The farm lands of the taxpayer were expropriated pursuant to the Expropriation Act (Alberta) in 1977. Following the settlement in 1986 of an action against the Province of Alberta, the taxpayer received the sum of $1,020,368 which was calculated as a replacement of interest income which the plaintiff would have earned if he had been paid the full value of his land at the time of the expropriation.
With respect to the finding of the Trial Judge that because s. 44(2)(a) deemed the taxpayer to have disposed of the land in 1986, therefore there was no interest that had accrued to the taxpayer prior to that date, the Court found that s. 44(2)(a) was merely a timing provision that did not recharacterize the nature of the sum received.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 12 - Subsection 12(1) - Paragraph 12(1)(c) | 190 | |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 16 - Subsection 16(1) | requires distinguishing of capital sum and interest | 123 |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 54 - Proceeds of Disposition - Paragraph (d) | 190 |
Laurentide Rendering Inc. v. The Queen, 84 DTC 6153, [1982] CTC 400 (FCTD), aff'd 88 DTC 6331, [1988] 2 CTC 200 (FCA)
It was suggested that s. 44(2)(a) was in large part a codification of existing case law as to when expropriation proceeds are to be included in computing income.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Statutory Interpretation - Absurdities | 57 | |
| Tax Topics - Statutory Interpretation - Retroactivity/Retrospectivity | 39 |
Paragraph 44(2)(b)
See Also
Loukras v. MNR, 90 DTC 1557, [1990] 2 CTC 2044 (TCC)
The taxpayer's entitlement to compensation was considered to have been finally determined by a judgment of the Trial Division of the Federal Court even though a notice of appeal therefrom was subsequently filed and then discontinued.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 152 - Subsection 152(4) - Paragraph 152(4)(a) - Subparagraph 152(4)(a)(ii) | 42 |
Paragraph 44(2)(c)
Administrative Policy
11 September 1992 Memorandum (Tax Window, No. 24, p. 10, ¶2231)
Where the proceeds of disposition deemed to be receivable under s. 44(2)(c) are not determinable, Revenue Canada will seek a waiver, failing which it will reassess based on the maximum likely proceeds of disposition. The interest portion of the settlement will be treated as interest income realized at the same time.
Subsection 44(5) - Replacement property
See Also
Livingston v. The Queen, 2015 TCC 24
The taxpayer and the estate of his mother co-owned (as tenants-in-common) a dairy farm and as well as the livestock, farming equipment, feed, milk quota and other farming assets. All the estate's interest and a portion of the taxpayer's interest in the farmland was sold to a third party housing developer (who leased the lands back to the taxpayer pending development), with the taxpayer using the sales proceeds received by him to purchase all of the Estate (non-realty) farming assets.
Lyons J affirmed the Minister's denial to the taxpayer of the s. 44(1) rollover on this farming-asset purchase. After reviewing the legislative history, she stated (at para 42):
...I interpret the words "to replace" in paragraph 44(5)(a) to mean that Parliament intended a direct substitution so that the same species of capital property would be required for the acquired property to constitute a replacement property for the former property. I find that it cannot reasonably be concluded that the Assets were to replace the farmland within the meaning of paragraph 44(5)(a) of the Act.
This purchase also did not satisfy the requirement in para. 44(5)(a.1) that the new property be acquired for a "similar" use. Notwithstanding that "similar" is potentially broad, the use of land for growing crops or pasturing cattle is not similar to the use to which the physical assets and milk quota were put and, in particular, the milk quota was used for the sale of milk (paras. 49, 50).
Klanten Farms Ltd. v. The Queen, 2007 DTC 1095, 2007 TCC 348
The taxpayer unsuccessfully submitted that a property acquired by the taxpayer for farming was a replacement property for a property that was used to earn rental income. Paris J. also stated (at p. 1100) that:
"'Use' in paragraph 44(5)(8.1) does not ... include the notion of holding for a future use."
Depaoli v. The Queen, 96 DTC 1820, [1996] 3 CTC 2640 (TCC)
Prior to the expropriation of their 33-acre vacant property, which they intended to use on retirement to build a house and operate a farm, the taxpayers rented out the property for small sums to adjoining farmers. The expropriation proceeds were used, in part, to purchase two smaller vacant lots one-half a mile apart, which were intended to be used on retirement in the same manner (although this ceased to be feasible as a result of a proposed landfill site) and, in the meantime, similar farming arrangements with neighbouring farmers were utilized.
In finding that the subsequently purchased lots were replacement properties, Hamlyn TCJ. stated (at p. 1823) that the maintaining by the taxpayers "of farm land to keep it clean by arranging for farmers to cultivate, plant and harvest crops, is the 'use' of former property by the Appellants".
McKervey v. MNR, 92 DTC 1570, [1992] 2 CTC 2015 (TCC)
In finding that land acquired by the taxpayer for use "in the rather varied mélange of businesses that he carried on - truck dismantling, selling trucks and truck parts, trucking and the sale of building materials" - was a replacement property, Bowman J. stated (p. 1576):
"I do not think that for property to be 'used' primarily in a business it is necessary that it be used to full capacity all of the time provided that a reasonable amount of use is made of it and it is dedicated to and held in readiness for that use and provided further that it is not being put to any other significant use."
Administrative Policy
3 December 2019 CTF Roundtable Q. 14, 2019-0824481C6 - Replacement Property Rules
A manufacturer, which wishes to expand its operations, acquires a piece of vacant land and takes three years to build a new plant. It then moves its operations to the new property, and eight months later, sells the former property. Can a property acquired in advance of the disposition of the former property qualify as a replacement property?
CRA responded that even though the property is purchased under a business expansion, this will not, in itself, prevent it from being considered a replacement property; and that there is no requirement that the replacement property be acquired after the former property is disposed of – so that the acquisition of the new property in advance of the disposition of the former property would not prevent it from being a replacement property.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 13 - Subsection 13(4.1) | property acquired in advance for expansion purposes can qualify | 83 |
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Replacement property can be acquired before disposition
1.5 In general, a replacement property can either be acquired before or after the disposition of a former property as long as it otherwise meets the conditions for being a replacement property
18 February 2008 External T.I. 2006-0205321E5 F - BAA-corpropriété indivise, QFP-undivided interest
Two brothers (B1 and B2) hold several pieces of farmland in equal co-ownership. Some of their children are actively involved in farming. B2 continues to actively farm, whereas B1, who was formerly actively involved, now rents his interest out to some children.
After finding (contrary to an earlier position) that their respective co-ownership interests could constitute qualified farm property, CRA went on to find that if their co-ownership was partitioned, with each exchanging some of his 50% interests for 50% interests of the other, that the interests so acquired by them could potentially qualify as replacement properties. CRA stated:
Paragraph 44(1)(b) requires that a property be a former business property immediately before it is disposed of. In light of the preceding comments that a property may include an undivided interest of a co-owner in real property, it is our view that, if the other requirements of the definition of former business property in subsection 248(1) are satisfied, the undivided interest acquired by B2 from B1 could be a replacement property for purposes of subsection 44(1) as defined in subsection 44(5). The same is true for the undivided interest acquired by B1 from B2 where B1's children use the property for the purpose of earning business income. The determination as to a replacement property is essentially a question of fact on which we cannot rule in a technical interpretation.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - 101-110 - Section 110.6 - Subsection 110.6(1) - Qualified Farm or Fishing Property | a co-ownership interest in a farm can qualify as a qualified farm property | 147 |
31 July 2006 External T.I. 2005-0156171E5 - Leasehold interest as replacement property
"The capital cost of a leasehold interest in respect of a building may qualify as a replacement property for a building that is a former business property if the definition of replacement property in subsections 13(4.1) and 44(5) is otherwise met."
15 October 2004 External T.I. 2004-0068421E5 F - Bien de remplacement
The taxpayer and his brother acquired, in equal shares, a rental property ("Immovable A") that was rented to residential – as well as commercial tenants being the respective brothers’ holding companies. Within one year of receiving his share of the expropriation proceeds for Immovable A, the taxpayer will acquire, as a replacement property, a rental building (“Immovable B") consisting of a single commercial space, which will be leased to a corporation whose shares are held by the taxpayer's brothers. Does the fact that Immovable B is currently owned by a holding company in which the taxpayer holds 15% of the shares (with the remaining 85% belonging to his brothers) would preclude Immovable B qualifying as a replacement property pursuant to ss. 44(5) and 13(4.1)?
CRA indicated that “there is nothing in the wording of subsections 44(5) and 13(4.1) that would lead to the conclusion that the acquisition of a replacement property from a related person or from a corporation in which the taxpayer holds shares is prohibited for the purposes of these provisions” – although it indicated that whether s. 69 or 15 applied would need to be considered.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 44 - Subsection 44(5) - Paragraph 44(5)(a.1) | rental use is a similar use even if shift from residential to commercial use | 147 |
27 January 2004 External T.I. 2003-005326
A retirement home that is acquired to replace a motel would not be considered to be a replacement property: "a retirement home is not a property that can be put to a use that is the same as or similar to the use of a motel, nor is the business of operating a retirement home the same as or similar to the business of operating a motel."
21 June 1999 External T.I. 9911515 - REPLACEMENT PROPERTY
If a corporation, that has disposed of a former business property, acquires the shares of a qualified family farm corporation and winds it up pursuant to s. 88(1), the farm property received on the winding-up may serve as a replacement property for purposes of s. 44(5).
IT-259R3 "Exchanges of Property"
"A taxpayer who changes from one business category to another but continues to deal in the same product will normally be considered to be in a 'similar business'".
30 January 1995 External T.I. 9424865 - REPLACEMENT PROPERTY RULES
"The words 'replacement property' contemplate a direct substitution, such that there is a causal relationship between the disposition of the former property and the acquisition of the replacement property. Moreover, the Department has taken the position that the provisions of section 44 are not intended to encompass business expansions ... ."
31 March 1994 External T.I. 9331515 - REPLACEMENT PROPERTY
There is nothing in s. 44(5)(a) to require that the "former property" have produced income in the past or that the replacement property produce income in the future, and for purposes of the "use test", the use made of the former property is not restricted solely to uses that produce income from that property. However, vacant land would generally be excluded from the definition of replacement property as non-use does not constitute use.
4 September 1991 T.I. (Tax Window, No. 9, p. 23, ¶1441)
Where a business property owned by a taxpayer is used in an active business by a partnership each member of which is related to the taxpayer, the property is considered to be used by "a related person".
3 September 1991 T.I. (Tax Window, No. 8, p. 18, ¶1432)
A small hotel with a pub and restaurant that provides entertainment, liquor and food services would likely qualify as a similar business when acquired in replacement of a nightclub that provided entertainment, liquor and food services, because both operations belong to the same service industry.
21 August 1991 Memorandum (Tax Window, No. 8, p. 17, ¶1401)
Where a taxpayer acquires a new motel to replace an expropriated one, s. 44(5)(a) will not be available as the previous motel was operated by the owner and the new motel is leased to a relative.
6 June 1991 T.I. (Tax Window, No. 4, p. 22, ¶1284)
An apartment building earning residential rents may be a replacement property for a warehouse or office building which was used by the taxpayer (a partnership) to earn commercial rents. Where the original property was disposed of by the partnership, the replacement property rule will not apply unless the replacement property was acquired by the partnership and not by the individual partners.
1 February 1990 T.I. (July 1990 Access Letter, ¶1321)
Where a taxpayer in the business of operating rest homes sold the rest homes and bought a hotel, the operation of the hotel generally would not be considered to be a similar business.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 13 - Subsection 13(4.1) | 35 |
Paragraph 44(5)(a)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Whether more than one replacement property
1.35 In some situations, it may be necessary to purchase more than one property to replace another property. Conversely, two or more properties may be replaced with one property. However, in such situations, the specific facts must be considered to determine whether the particular property or properties purchased will be considered as a replacement property for the original property or properties.
Attributes of replacement property
1.36 To satisfy the requirement described in [s. 44(5)(a)], it must be reasonable to conclude that the property was acquired to replace the former property. In this regard, there must be some correlation or direct substitution, that is, a causal relationship between the disposition of a former property and the acquisition of the new property or properties. Where it cannot readily be determined whether one property is actually being replaced by another, the newly acquired property will not be considered a replacement property for the former property. For example, consider the situation where a taxpayer has a number of retail locations, some of which are in the process of commencing operations while others are scheduled for closing. A building at a new location probably would not be considered a replacement property for a building at an old location if the business operations at the two locations are carried on simultaneously (other than for a brief transitional period, for example, while the inventory at the old location is liquidated). Generally, the geographical location of the replacement property is not determinative when considering whether one property is a replacement for another.
2016 Ruling 2016-0632001R3 - Replacement Property
Background
The two taxpayers are spouses and the sole shareholders of Farmco. Prior to the expropriation of Old Farmland, Farmco carried on its farming business in Canada through: Old Farmland (which was owned in equal co-ownership by the two taxpayers); a parcel of land which Farmco rented from an arm’s length third party; and a third parcel which Farmco owned. The taxpayers had always intended to expand Farmco’s farming operations and/or replace the rented land with additional owned land if and when suitable land and finances became available.
Proposed transactions
As a consequence of the expropriation of the Old Farmland and the final settlement of their related action against the government, the taxpayers will replace the Old Farmland on or before the end of XXXX with the two new parcels of land (“New Farmland 1” and “New Farmland 2”) that are located close to, or adjacent to, the two parcels of land currently used by Farmco and purchased forjm arm's length third parties. New Farmland 1 and New Farmland 2 will be used by Farmco in its farming business and will be owned jointly (50-50) by the two taxpayers, who will make the required election under s. 44(1) in the taxation year in which the two properties were acquired by them.
Purpose
To “replace the Old Farmland with New Farmland 1 and New Farmland 2 to ensure that Farmco will have a sufficient land to continue to carry on its… farming business, to expand that business, and to allow [the taxpayers] to utilize the proceeds of disposition they received from the expropriation of the Old Farmland to the greatest extent possible in deferring or reducing any capital gain… .”
Ruling
Each of New Farmland 1 and New Farmland 2 will be considered as a replacement property for the Old Farmland.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Statutory Interpretation - Interpretation Act - Subsection 33(2) | reference to "the" replacement property included 2 replacement properties | 44 |
Paragraph 44(5)(a.1)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Similar use test based on similar business test and same physical type
1.38 Where the former property was used for the purpose of gaining or producing income from a business, another property will usually be considered to be a property acquired for the same or a similar use if it is acquired to gain or produce income from the same or a similar business and if it generally bears the same physical description as the former property.
Example 4
A taxpayer replaces a warehouse with a manufacturing building used in the same business. Both properties are buildings and the two uses are similar in that they are both part of the overall process of providing products from the same business to the consumer. As a result, the manufacturing building could qualify as a replacement property for the warehouse.
Prohibition against substantial additional use
1.40 Further, a property normally will not be a replacement property acquired for the same or a similar use when it is acquired to replace a former property and at the same time provide substantial other uses. An insignificant secondary use of a new replacement property is not a concern.
13 November 2014 External T.I. 2014-0535041E5 F - Bien de remplacement Location d'immeubles
A couple who co-owned various rental properties received insurance proceeds on the complete destruction of one of the properties, and purchased chalets in a resort area for rental use. Do the chalets satisfy the "same…similar use" test in s. 44(5)(a.1)? CRA responded (TaxInterpretations translation):
Even though the physical characteristics of the new properties would not be identical to those of the previous properties, the properties appear to be of the same nature (rental properties) and to be put to the same use (rental). … [T]he use made by the taxpayers of the new properties can be considered as an identical or similar use as they made of the previous property, for purposes of paragraph 44(5)(a.1).
CRA also noted that the reference in IT-259R4, para. 16(b) to the properties bearing the same physical description would be satisfied where a building was replaced by a building.
13 March 2013 External T.I. 2012-0473291E5 F - Société de personnes - maison détruite par le feu
The Taxpayer was a partner of a partnership carrying on a farming business and owning more than half a hectare of land on which there was a building which served as the exclusive principal residence of the Taxpayer and his father. A fire then completely destroyed the First House and the partnership used the insurance proceeds to build another building. If the partnership does not rely on the s. 44 property exchange rules, is the Taxpayer entitled to the exemption in s. 40(2)(c)? CRA responded:
[T]he Taxpayer could use paragraph 40(2)(b) to reduce or eliminate the capital gain on the disposition of the First House allocated to the Taxpayer by the partnership on the deemed disposition of the partnership, provided that it meets all the conditions in the definition of "principal residence". However, at that time, paragraph 40(2)(c) would not be applicable to the Taxpayer since the partnership did not dispose of land.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 40 - Subsection 40(2) - Paragraph 40(2)(b) | partner can use the principal residence exemption re gain allocated by partnership from disposition of personally-used principal residence, including following s. 44 deferral | 263 |
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 40 - Subsection 40(2) - Paragraph 40(2)(c) | s. 40(2)(c) unavailable re disposition of building only from fire | 111 |
2 June 2010 External T.I. 2010-0354951E5 F - Bien de remplacement-disp. involontaire
Does a rental property acquired to replace a parking lot (generating rental income) that was expropriated qualify as a "replacement property"? In responding negatively, CRA stated:
[I]n order to satisfy the condition in paragraph 44(5)(a.1), the replacement property should have the same physical characteristics as the former property. Since a building does not have the same physical characteristics as a parking lot, it is our view that the building … does not satisfy the condition in paragraph 44(5)(a.1) even though both the parking lot and the building generate rental income.
21 May 2010 External T.I. 2009-0352221E5 F - Bien de remplacement- résidence principale
If the property being involuntarily disposed of is a secondary residence, could a second home in the same or different tourist region, or with different attributes (access to water) or, now, in a metropolitan area, qualify as a replacement property? Is this affected by it being an undivided interest that is acquired, or if the replacement property was acquired from a spouse? CRA responded:
First, there must be some correlation (or a direct substitution) between the disposition of a former property and the acquisition of the replacement property. The two properties must generally have the same physical characteristics. For this purpose, a secondary residence consisting of a building and land, which would be a personal-use property and thus, for tax purposes, one and the same property, could be replaced by a new property, which would also consist of a building and land, and which would be considered as a single replacement property. …
Second, the replacement property must have been acquired for the same or similar use as the former property. If the former property is a secondary residence, this requirement could be satisfied if the new property qualifies as personal-use property … .
The geographic location of the "replacement property" is generally not a determining factor … .
[A] secondary residence, whether or not it is in the same tourist area as the former property or that has different attributes (access to water) or that is a personal residence in a metropolitan area - or an undivided interest in such properties - could qualify as a replacement property … .
[T]he fact that a replacement property is acquired by a taxpayer from the taxpayer’s spouse … does not, by that fact alone, preclude the application of the rules in subsection 44(1).
17 February 2005 External T.I. 2004-0090411E5 F - Bien de remplacement-dispos. involontaire
Regarding the situation where a corporation’s building and equipment were destroyed by fire and it used the insurance proceeds to invest in a partnership carrying on a similar business, CRA stated:
[T]he condition in paragraph 44(5)(a) would likely be satisfied since there appears to be a correlation between the disposition of the building and the Company's equipment, and the acquisition of its interest in the [partnership]. In addition, the test in paragraph 44(5)(b), "that or a similar business", also appears to be satisfied since you stated that the Company will continue to operate the same type of business... .
Regarding the test in s. 44(5)(a.1), CRA stated:
[I]t would be possible to replace an asset (a building) with a partnership interest if the partnership gives an undivided interest in an asset (building) that would have the same physical characteristics as the former property. However, a partnership interest that primarily gives undivided interests in other property that would not otherwise be considered replacement property would not qualify as replacement property.
However, CRA went on to note that s. 13(4) would not apply since “the Company wants to replace a depreciable property (building and equipment) with a non-depreciable capital property, i.e. its interest in the [partnership].”
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 13 - Subsection 13(4) | rollover not available where building replaced by interest in partnership carrying on a similar business because the partnership interest is not depreciable property | 74 |
15 October 2004 External T.I. 2004-0068421E5 F - Bien de remplacement
The taxpayer and his brother acquired, in equal shares, a rental property ("Immovable A") that was rented to residential – as well as commercial tenants being the respective brothers’ holding companies. Within one year of receiving his share of the expropriation proceeds for Immovable A, the taxpayer will acquire, as a replacement property, a rental building (“Immovable B") consisting of a single commercial space, which will be leased to a corporation whose shares are held by the taxpayer's brothers. CRA stated:
[S]ince the use of Immovable A was for rental purposes, if Immovable B is also used for rental purposes, we are of the view that the latter is acquired by the taxpayer for the same or similar use as Immovable A, even if Immovable B is only for commercial rental purposes while Immovable A generated residential and commercial rental income.
| Locations of other summaries | Wordcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Topics - Income Tax Act - Section 44 - Subsection 44(5) | replacement property can be acquired from a related person | 183 |
Paragraph 44(5)(b)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Meaning of similar business
1.41 The term similar business as used in the phrase “the same or a similar business” or “from that or a similar business” in ¶1.33(c) is generally interpreted in a reasonably broad manner. In this respect, two businesses will be considered to be similar if they both fall within the same one of the following categories:
- merchandising - retailing and wholesaling;
- farming;
- fishing;
- forestry and forest products;
- extractive industries, including refining;
- financial services;
- communications;
- transportation;
- construction, including subcontracting; and
- manufacturing and processing.
1.42 With regard to the categories referred to in ¶1.41, where a business falls into more than one, a similar business will be one that falls into any one of these categories in which the business operates.
17 February 2014 External T.I. 2014-0517491E5 F - Bien de remplacement - usages multiples
Mr. A owned a property (Building A) whose upper floors were used from residential rentals and whose ground floor was rented out to businesses including a numbered company of Mr. A. Building A was expropriated, and Mr. A wished to acquire a second property (Building B) with the same mixed use. However, in fact, neither Mr. A nor a related person carried on a business in Building B. CRA stated (TaxInterpretations translation):
… Building B is used solely to generate rental revenue. As neither Mr. A nor any person related to Mr. A will use Building B to earn income from a business…the requirements of paragraph 44(5)(b) are not satisfied. Consequently, Building B does not qualify as a replacement property… .
11 October 2013 APFF Roundtable, 2013-0495681C6 F - Bien de remplacement
ABC Inc. leased Building A to Opco, a sister corp. which used Building A in an active business. In January 2013, Building A was expropriated (with Opco moving its business to premises of an unrelated corporation). In May 2013, ABC Inc. acquired a replacement building (Building B) which it leased to an unrelated corporation for use in that tenant's active business. In confirming that the s. 44(5) replacement property rollover was not available, CRA stated (TaxInterpretations translation):
[S]ince Building B was not used by ABC Inc., or a person related to it, to gain or produce income from a business in which Building A was used or a similar business, that building would not qualify as a replacement property.
However, CRA noted that if ABC Inc. had rented Building B to XYZ Inc., another corporation related to ABC Inc., with XYZ Inc. using it in an active business, it would suffice if XYZ Inc. used it in the same or a similar business. CRA stated:
[I]t does not matter if the person who uses Building B is different from the one who used Building A. It is sufficient if the person who uses Building B is related to ABC Inc., being the owner of the building, and that the business in which Building B is being used is the same or similar to that carried on by Opco in using Building A, the former business property.
30 September 2013 External T.I. 2013-0505151E5 F - Biens de remplacement
Mr. A leased a rental property owned by him ("Initial Property") to Opco (wholly-owned by him) for use in carrying on its business. After the Initial Property burned down and Mr. A built a replacement building ("Replacement Property") and then rented it to an unrelated third party ("Third Party") for use in carrying on a business different than Opco's.
In finding that the replacement property rollover was not available, CRA noted that the Replacement Property is not used by either Mr. A or a related third party, and that it is not used in a business carried on by Opco or in a business similar to that carried on by Opco. CRA also noted:
Our conclusion would remain the same if the Replacement Property was leased to Opco in the course of carrying on a business different from that in which the Initial Property was used.
30 September 2004 External T.I. 2004-00842
The replacement property rules cannot be used with respect to a sale of vacant land to a municipality given that vacant land is not "used" by the taxpayer.
Subsection 44(6)
Administrative Policy
S3-F3-C1 - Replacement Property
Reallocation under s. 44(6)
1.18 … [U]nder subsection 44(6), a taxpayer may be permitted to reallocate the POD of a former business property composed of land and one or more buildings between the land component and the building component. For this purpose, subsection 44(6) provides that land is, “the land (or an interest, or for civil law a right, therein) subjacent to, or immediately contiguous to and necessary for the use of, the building.”
1.19 The amount eligible for reallocation is limited to the excess of POD otherwise determined of one or the other of the components over its ACB. If, for instance, the POD of land determined without reference to subsection 44(6) exceed its ACB, a taxpayer can elect to treat all or a portion of the excess as being POD of the building component of the former business property. This will defer recognition of all or a portion of the accrued capital gain with respect to the land.