Q. I just transferred 200 shares of an ETF from my margin account to my TFSA at a loss. Can I claim the loss, or does it fall into the 30-day rule? –Stavros
A. Investments such as stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds can generally be transferred “in-kind” between accounts, so that the investment is transferred from one account directly to the other without selling it. When an investment is transferred from a non-registered investment account, like a cash or margin account, into a tax-free savings account, the transfer is considered an eligible TFSA contribution. The contribution amount is based on the market value of the transferred investment at the time of transfer.
The “30-day rule” you are referring to, Stavros, is called the “superficial loss rule.” A superficial loss results when a capital loss is triggered in a taxable account, but the same investment is purchased in another account within 30 days before or after the loss is incurred.
The superficial loss rule applies to not only your repurchase of the investment, but also a repurchase by your spouse, a corporation you control, or a trust with you or your spouse as a beneficiary. The rule has been put in place to prevent Canadians from avoiding tax by selling an investment, only to have a partner or corporate repurchase it on their behalf.
In the case of a transfer of an investment from your non-registered margin account to your TFSA, Stavros, this does not result in a superficial loss. However, the Income Tax Act does deny a loss triggered on a deemed disposition of an investment at a loss upon transfer to a TFSA or registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). So, although the superficial loss rule would not apply, the result would be the same—your capital loss would be ineligible.
Interestingly, if you transfer an investment in kind that is trading at a capital gain, the capital gain is triggered and is taxable.
In order to successfully claim a capital loss, Stavros, you would need to sell an investment and transfer the resulting cash proceeds to your TFSA. This may result in transaction costs to sell, and additional transaction costs to reinvest in your TFSA. If the capital loss tax savings is more than the transaction costs, it probably makes sense to trigger a loss by selling and transferring cash.
If you want to repurchase the same investment in your TFSA, remember you must wait at least 30 days in order to do so, otherwise the superficial loss rules will apply even if you sell the investment before contributing.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
