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NOTICE323 Proposed GST/HST Treatment of Assignment Sales

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Last update: 2022-05-26

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New Tax Rules for Real Estate Assignments and Flipping

Written by Sukhman Sandhu

Blog | real estate law, june 6, 2022.

To combat the sharp rise in real estate prices, the Canadian government has proposed new GST/HST rules in relation to Assignments (effective May 7, 2022) and Income Tax rules in relation to flipping real estate in general (effective January 1, 2023).

GST/HST to Apply for all Assignment Sales

As of May 7, 2022, where an individual sells an assignment of a new build or substantially renovated residential property, the transaction will be subject to HST, regardless of original intentions, as per the Canadian Excise Tax Act (“ETA”). Every individual assignor of residential real estate will now have to collect GST/HST on their assignment profit and remit it to the CRA.

Previously, if the original intention of entering the pre-construction Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) was for personal use, GST/HST did not apply to the assignment agreement. GST/HST previously only applied if the original intention was to sell for profit or flip the property. Effective May 7, 2022, whatever your intention, GST/HST will apply on the assignment profit.

Accompanied with some good news, the new rules do clarify that HST is no longer charged on recovered deposits. Prior to May 7, 2022, despite the court ruling against the CRA in a previous case dealing with this issue, the CRA continued to represent to tax payers that if the assignment is subject to GST/HST, the amount provided from the assignee (new buyer) to the assignor (original buyer) which reimburses the assignor for the assignor’s deposit to the builder is also subject to GST/HST. This created double taxation as the deposit that the assignor paid to the seller/builder is already subject to GST/HST.

For illustration purposes, envision Carrol purchased a new construction residential property for $1,200,000 and paid the builder’s lawyer a deposit of $200,000. Subsequently, Carrol entered into an assignment agreement for the assignment sale price of $1,500,000. Carrol in this situation is known as the ‘assignor’ and the individual who purchased from her is known as the ‘assignee’. The assignee must pay $500,000 to Carrol ($300,000 for the difference between assignment sale price of $1,500,000 and original purchase price of $1,200,000 + $200,000 to reimburse the assignor for assignor’s previous deposit to builder/builder’s lawyer) and $1,000,000 to the builder to complete the purchase (not including any closing/miscellaneous fees).

Prior to May 7, 2022, if Carrol’s original intention was to purchase for personal use, she would not be responsible to pay any HST/GST in relation to the assignment sale.

Prior to May 7, 2022, If Carrol’s original intention was not for personal use (i.e. investment property), then she would be liable to pay GST/HST on $500,000 (both the profit and deposit) which at the rate of 13% would have equaled $65,000. It is important to note that Carrol, on advise of her accountant, could have only paid GST/HST on $300,000 (avoiding any tax on deposit) by only remitting $39,000 and citing previous case ruling against double taxation on recovered deposit to the CRA.

As of May 7, 2022, regardless of Carrol’s original intention, she is liable to pay GST/HST on $300,000 which at the rate of 13% would equal $39,000.

Business Income instead of Capital Gains for Residential Property Flipping

Effective January 1, 2023, a new residential property flipping rule will classify the appreciation amount of all residential properties that are owned for less than 12 months to be business income under the Canadian Income Tax Act (“ITA”). This new legislation change will be subject to limited “life events” exceptions, such as the growth of a household, separation, a disability or illness, an employment change, insolvency, or an involuntary disposition.

Prior to January 1, 2023, investment properties (i.e. rentals) sold within or after 12 months of ownership are subject to capital gains tax which is 50% of business income tax and principal residence properties (owner-occupied) sold within or after 12 months of ownership are entirely exempt from tax.

Growing commentators believe that this proposed Residential Property Flipping Rule may also result in assignment sales treated as business income as opposed to capital gains. This would result in the assignor not only paying GST/HST on the portion of their assignment profit but also adding 100% of the assignment profit amount (minus remitted GST/HST) onto their annual personal income amount. We look forward to receiving further clarification in the near future.

If you are buying or selling investment properties, or have questions or concerns about residential or commercial real estate law in general, contact us at Sukh Law .

Sukh Law publishes articles for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.

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