Canadian Money Forum banner

Tax on transfer bonuses

2 reading
316 views 34 replies 9 participants last post by  saver777  
Bringing this back on the original question in post 1 from @MrBlackhill , repeated in quotes below;
” There's a lot of promotions going on where institutions are competing to get clients and offer a transfer bonus which can be 1% to 2% of the value of assets transfered. Some of these offers can get you up to $20k bonus from transferring $1M.

I've seen people debating whether this was taxable”

In my opinion if an FI gives an account owner $20K because they transferred and maintained a $1M balance that should be brought into income by the account holder.
 
The comparison with credit card rewards is interesting.
I buy a TV for $1,000 from Best Buy, and my credit card company gifts me with $10. What is the $10?
It is not a discount, because I didn't buy the TV from the credit card company.
It is not relevent as you are buying the TV with after tax dollars. You are not claiming the cost of the TV as deduction against revenue to arrive at taxable income. If you were, then you would only be permitted to claim what you paid. If it were anything else it should be intuitively obvious that no company would ever claim to make a profit because all expenses would be inflated.
 
Yet if I have a principal residence which is 2 floors: main floor and basement, and I rent to a friend/family the full basement for 1$/month, then I could deduct 50% of mortgage interest, taxes, utility bills, internet, etc, reducing my income.

But CRA wouldn't like this because I'm not charging the fair value market value, right?

So the CRA in this case would debate the fair market value.

Now, how do I know that I'm not charging too low to get into trouble? I mean, what if I charge $100/month? Still too low? $200/month? ...
They will make you prove the rent being charged is market rent. There is no specific test, it is up to them whether they will accept your explanation. If it were to go to court a third party assessment from an expert witness would likely suffice.
 
At least some brokerages 'book' this line item as a 'negative' administrative charge allowing them to pay that bonus in a registered account without affecting contribution room.
This is not relevant in the broader question. Income in registered accounts is either differed (RSP, RIF) or exempt (TFSA) rendering the payment in this respect a mute point.
 
Not given freely because it was traded for a business relationship? (Opening an account and transferring funds)

So that's what 12(1)(x) is saying if I'm understanding it correctly?
To be a gift something has to be given freely (not getting anything in return) and irrevocable.

The ITA you are referencing essentially says that all income in Canada is taxable, unless it is specifically it isn't.