Government of Canada

Tax Expenditures and Evaluations - 2005 : 3
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Table 2
Corporate Income Tax Expenditures
*


 

Estimates

Projections1



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Charities, Gifts and Contributions

               

Deductibility of charitable donations2

375

410

270

290

320

340

355

355

Deductibility of gifts of cultural property and ecologically sensitive land3

13

12

27

9

9

9

9

9

Deductibility of gifts to the Crown

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Non-taxation of registered charities

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Non-taxation of other non-profit organizations (other than registered charities)

165

185

175

160

150

145

165

195

Political contribution tax credit

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Culture

               

Canadian film or video production tax credit

180

175

185

195

205

215

225

240

Non-deductibility of advertising expenses in foreign media4

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Federal-Provincial Financing Arrangements

               

Income tax exemption for provincial and municipal corporations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Transfer of income tax room to provinces5

1,160

1,145

1,065

1,210

1,375

1,480

1,540

1,550

Logging tax credit

35

17

23

18

19

20

20

21

General Business and Investment

               

Accelerated write-off of capital assets and resource-related expenditures

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Deferral through capital gains rollovers6

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Taxation of capital gains upon realization7

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Partial inclusion of capital gains8

2,340

4,095

1,990

2,010

2,045

2,125

2,240

2,345

Expensing of advertising costs9

57

63

40

40

40

40

40

40


 

Estimates

Projections1



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Atlantic investment tax credit10

               

Earned and claimed in current year

82

105

89

100

105

110

115

120

Earned in current year but carried back to prior years

15

18

7

13

13

14

14

14

Claimed in current year but earned in prior years

170

220

220

200

205

210

210

215

Total expenditure

267

343

316

313

323

334

339

349

Scientific research and experimental development investment tax credit10

               

Earned and claimed in current year

1,490

1,745

1,785

1,830

1,870

1,915

1,965

2,010

Earned in current year but carried back to prior years

71

86

88

90

92

94

95

100

Claimed in current year but earned in prior years

545

490

505

515

525

540

550

565

Total expenditure

2,106

2,321

2,378

2,435

2,487

2,549

2,610

2,675

Write-off of capital assets before available for use

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Small Business

               

Deduction of allowable business investment losses11

34

28

26

25

23

23

24

26

Interest on small business financing loans12

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Low tax rate for small businesses13

3,225

3,185

3,220

3,040

3,010

3,040

3,185

3,210

Accelerated rate reduction for small businesses14

-

50

65

35

5

-

-

-

Non-taxation of provincial assistance for venture investments in small business

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

International

               

Exemption from Canadian income tax of income earned by non-residents from the operation of a ship or aircraft in international traffic

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Exemption from tax for international banking centres

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Exemptions from non-resident withholding tax15

               

   Dividends

205

275

275

255

265

395

450

470

   Interest

               

      On deposits

495

375

170

105

105

110

115

120

      On long-term corporate debt

130

195

130

165

165

175

180

190

      Other16

380

220

340

435

330

355

365

385

   Rents and royalties

               

      Copyright royalties

23

22

24

30

28

30

32

34

      Royalties for the use of, or       right to use, other property

20

87

83

79

84

89

94

99

      Research and development       royalties

3

3

4

3

3

3

4

4

      Natural resource royalties

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

      Rents from real property

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

   Management fees

48

42

44

49

50

53

56

58

   Estate or trust income

33

11

21

6

14

14

15

16

Non-taxation of life insurance companies' world income

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Tax exemption on income of foreign affiliates of Canadian corporations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.


 

Estimates

Projections1



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Sectoral Measures

               

Farming

               

Cash-basis accounting

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Deferral of income from destruction of livestock

S

S

S

S

5

3

S

S

Deferral of income from grain sold through cash purchase tickets17

S

-15

15

S

S

S

S

S

Flexibility in inventory accounting

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Agricultural cooperatives18

-

-

-

-

-

-

30

30

Resource

               

Corporate mineral exploration tax credit19

-

-

-

26

32

58

55

64

Deductibility of contributions to a qualifying environmental trust

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Earned depletion20

40

43

21

34

37

39

35

32

Net impact of the resource allowance and the non-deductibility of Crown royalties and mining taxes21

415

295

435

595

615

640

300

-

Tax rate on resource income22

-

-60

-215

-395

-575

-515

-255

-

Transitional arrangement for the Alberta Royalty Tax Credit

-

-

-

S

S

S

S

S

Other Sectors

               

Exemption from branch tax for transportation, communications, and iron ore mining corporations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Film or video production services tax credit23

62

80

75

120

125

130

135

145

Low tax rate for credit unions24

53

75

79

69

65

70

72

73

Manufacturing and processing allowance25

2,045

1,380

1,060

640

115

-

-

-

Surtax on the profits of tobacco manufacturers26

-40

-80

-75

-75

-75

-75

-75

-75

Temporary tax on the capital of large deposit-taking institutions27

-49

-

-

-

-

-

-

-


 

Estimates

Projections1



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Other Measures

               

Deductibility of countervailing and anti-dumping duties

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Deductibility of earthquake reserves

6

7

5

5

5

5

6

6

Deferral through use of billed-basis accounting by professional corporations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Holdback on progress payments to contractors28

30

25

40

40

40

40

40

40

Interest credited to life insurance policies29

90

66

68

76

78

81

83

86

Non-taxation of certain federal Crown corporations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Memorandum Items

               

Mechanisms for the Integration of Personal and Corporate Income Tax

               

Investment corporation deduction30

S

S

S

S

S

5

6

7

Refundable capital gains for investment corporations and mutual fund corporations31

690

520

35

60

305

320

335

350

Refundable taxes on investment income of private corporations32

               

Additional Part I taxes33

-615

-655

-690

-925

-1,200

-1,455

-1,620

-1,715

   Part IV tax

-1,735

-2,110

-1,990

-2,225

-2,425

-2,555

-2,715

-2,845

   Dividend refund

3,245

4,150

3,900

3,745

4,095

4,330

4,610

4,855

   Net expenditure

895

1,385

1,220

595

470

320

275

295

Expenses Incurred to Earn Income

               

Deduction for intangible assets

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Deductibility of provincial royalties (joint venture payments) for the Syncrude project (remission order)34

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

-

-

-

Loss Offset Provisions

               

Capital loss carry-overs

               

Net capital losses carried back35

190

420

730

180

125

85

85

85

Net capital losses applied to current year

475

445

230

205

205

215

225

235

Farm and fishing loss carry-overs

18

18

19

19

19

19

20

21

Non-capital loss carry-overs

               

   Non-capital losses carried    back

1,760

2,840

1,390

1,500

1,390

1,440

1,535

1,670

   Non-capital losses applied to    current year

4,790

3,480

3,625

3,670

3,875

3,765

3,790

3,790

Other

               

   Aviation fuel excise tax    rebate36

n.a.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Non-resident-owned investment corporation (NRO) refund37

280

280

415

125

-

-

-

-

Partial deduction of meals and entertainment expenses38

355

340

345

340

340

355

375

390

Patronage dividend deduction39

190

240

390

365

385

410

425

430


Notes:

1

Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, changes in the projections from those in last year's edition of this document as well as variations from year to year result from changes in the explanatory economic variables upon which the projections are based. These changes and variations also reflect the availability of new data. Projections for 2002 and subsequent years reflect the impact of the reduction in the general corporate income tax rate to 25% on January 1, 2002, 23% on January 1, 2003 and 21% on January 1, 2004. The corporate surtax raised these rates by 1.12 percentage points.

2

Donations in 2000 and 2001 were significantly higher than the historical average. Donations in the projection period are expected to return to their historical average.

3

Gifts in 2002 were significantly higher than the historical average. Gifts in 2003 and subsequent years are expected to return to their historical average.

4

This treatment should result in a negative tax expenditure since the deduction of an expense incurred to earn income is denied. Under the benchmark tax system, advertising expenses in foreign media incurred to gain or produce income from a business or property would be deductible whether targeted at foreign or domestic markets.

5

The drop in 2002 is explained by a significant reduction in corporate taxable income in that year.

6

This is a tax expenditure because under the benchmark system capital gains would be taxed on an accrual basis.

7

The tax deferral associated with taxation of capital gains upon disposition of property, rather than on an accrual basis, represents a deviation from the benchmark tax system and is therefore a tax expenditure.

8

The 2000 budget reduced the capital gains inclusion rate from three-quarters to two-thirds, effective February 28, 2000. The October 2000 Economic Statement and Budget Update further reduced the capital gains inclusion rate from two-thirds to one-half, effective October 18, 2000. The increase in this tax expenditure for 2001 reflects increased capital gains and the reduction in the capital gains inclusion rate, partially offset by a lower corporate income tax rate. The decline in 2002 reflects a projected decrease in capital gains as well as the reduction in the corporate income tax rate.

9

The amount of this tax expenditure can fluctuate significantly from year to year depending primarily upon advertising expenses claimed. Therefore, it is projected at its historical average.

10

In previous years, data limitations prevented the split between the scientific research and experimental development and Atlantic investment tax credit of investment tax credits earned in the current year but carried back to prior years and those claimed in the current year but earned in prior years.

11

The amount of this tax expenditure can fluctuate from year to year depending upon the amount of current year losses and the availability of income against which to apply these losses.

12

This measure was effective between February 25, 1992, and the end of 1994. The five-year maximum term for small business financing loans means, however, that the measure continued to create a tax expenditure up to 1999. Further, many firms reporting income in the 2000 taxation year earned a portion of that income in the 1999 calendar year, before the tax expenditure was eliminated.

13

The reduction in the tax expenditure from 2002 to 2004 results from reductions in the benchmark rate. Projections for 2003 and subsequent years reflect the impact of the 2003 budget's increase in the amount of income eligible for the small business deduction, and the 2004 budget's acceleration of this increase.

14

This measure was announced in the 2000 budget and became effective January 1, 2001. On that date the general federal corporate income tax rate on income between $200,000 and $300,000 earned by a Canadian-controlled private corporation from an active business carried on in Canada was reduced to 21%. The lower rate on the general income of small businesses and the change in the general federal corporate income tax rate effective January 1, 2001, only partially affect the estimate for tax year 2001 since many firms reporting income in the 2001 tax year earned a portion of that income in the 2000 calendar year, before the rate reductions were introduced. Subsequent declines in the tax expenditure are a result of the reduction in the general corporate income tax rate and the increase, announced in the 2003 budget, in the amount of income eligible for the small business deduction. This measure was effectively eliminated on January 1, 2004, when the general corporate income tax rate was reduced to 21%. Some tax expenditure occurs in 2004, however, as many firms reporting income in the 2004 tax year earned a portion of that income in the 2003 calendar year. The changes in the estimates for this year relative to last year are due to the availability of new data.

15

Estimates and projections were computed on the basis of an analysis of payments to non-residents and withholding tax collections available for 2000 to 2003. The variations in 2001, 2002 and 2003 reflect changes in the payments and exemptions as observed from newly available data.

16

This category includes interest paid to non-resident persons or organizations that would be exempt from income tax in Canada were they residents in Canada. Also included is interest paid under certain securities-lending arrangements exempt under subparagraph 212(1)(b)(xii) of the Income Tax Act, and interest exempt under certain other domestic and treaty provisions.

17

Projections are calculated using a historical average growth rate. Since tax expenditures are estimated on a cash-flow basis, an increase in the balance of uncashed grain tickets represents additional income that is being deferred and results in a positive tax expenditure. A decrease in the balance of uncashed grain tickets indicates that less income is being deferred and results in a negative tax expenditure. The tax expenditure estimates and projections are volatile over time since a small number of corporations are affected in a very specific sector. Estimates and projections are based on data obtained from Statistics Canada.

18

This measure will apply only to patronage dividends paid after 2005. See the "What's New in the 2005 Report" section at the beginning of this document for further details.

19

This tax credit was introduced in the 2003 budget and applies to 2003 and subsequent tax years. It was phased in starting at 5% in 2003, 7% in 2004 and 10% in subsequent years.

20

Additions to earned depletion pools were eliminated as of January 1, 1990. Determination of the tax expenditure reflects the projected use of existing earned depletion pools.

21

The tax expenditure is calculated as the revenue cost of the resource allowance net of non-deductible Crown royalties and provincial mining taxes. Over a five-year period beginning in 2003, the resource allowance is being phased out and a deduction for Crown royalties and mining taxes phased in so that, by 2007, the tax expenditure is effectively reduced to zero. See the technical paper "Improving the Income Taxation of the Resource Sector in Canada," Department of Finance Canada, March 2003, for further details. The large increases relative to last year reflect the availability of new data and higher oil and gas prices.

22

Budget 2003 announced an extension to resource income of the lower general corporate tax rate, to be phased in over five years beginning in 2003. By 2007, when the resource rate equals the general rate, the tax expenditure amount will be reduced to zero. See the technical paper "Improving the Income Taxation of the Resource Sector in Canada," Department of Finance Canada, March 2003. The increases relative to last year reflect the availability of new data and higher oil and gas prices.

23

Projections for 2003 and subsequent years reflect the impact of the 2003 budget increase in the rate of the credit from 11% to 16%.

24

The tax expenditure is higher in 2001 and 2002 due to higher taxable income of credit unions. After 2002, projections are lower due to reductions in the general corporate income tax rate.

25

Although this tax expenditure was eliminated on January 1, 2004, when the general corporate income tax rate was reduced to 21%, many firms reporting income in the 2004 taxation year earned a portion of that income in the 2003 calendar year.

26

The increase in this tax expenditure from 2000 to 2002 partly results from the increase in the tobacco manufacturers' surtax from 40% to 50% of the Part I tax on profits from tobacco manufacturing, effective April 6, 2001.

27

This measure expired on October 31, 2000.

28

The amount of this tax expenditure can fluctuate significantly from year to year depending primarily upon the level of construction activity. Therefore, it is projected at its historical average.

29

The tax expenditure is lower in 2001 and 2002 because of personal income tax reductions. The increase in subsequent years is due to higher investment income.

30

This measure allows a public corporation that qualifies as an investment corporation to benefit from elements of the integration system, which are usually available only to private corporations.

31

The substantially lower levels in 2002 and 2003 are due to a decline in capital gains distributions.

32

Refundable tax provisions of the corporate income tax system provide some integration of the corporate and personal income tax regimes. For more information about these measures, please refer to the document Tax Expenditures: Notes to the Estimates/Projections (2004) available on the Department of Finance Canada website at www.fin.gc.ca.

33

This item includes the additional 6⅔% refundable tax on investment income as well as, for years after 2000, the Part I tax paid on investment income in excess of the benchmark rate. The increase after 2001 results from the increase in the difference between the Part I tax on investment income and the benchmark rate.

34

The cost of the Syncrude Remission Order ("Order Respecting the Remission of Income Tax for the Syncrude Project" P.C. 1976-1026, May 6, 1976 [C.R.C. 1978 Vol. VII, c. 794]) is published annually in the Public Accounts of Canada (ISBN 0-660-177792-7). The order expired on December 31, 2003.

35

The increases in 2001 and 2002 reflect, for the most part, the capital losses recorded in these two years resulting from declines in the market value of technology stocks.

36

This measure, which was effective for calendar years 1997 to 2000, provided an excise tax rebate on the aviation fuel used by airline companies. The rebate was limited to $20 million per year per associated group of companies. In order to receive a rebate, a company had to agree to reduce its income tax losses by $10 for every $1 of rebate.

37

Figures for 2000 to 2003 are estimates. This measure was repealed in 2000. To allow for an orderly restructuring of their operations, however, existing NROs were entitled to retain their status until the end of their last tax year that began before 2003. The sharp decline in 2003 relative to last year's estimate reflects much lower than projected total refunds.

38

Fifty per cent of these expenses are deductible for income tax purposes, given that a portion of meal and entertainment expenses is incurred to earn income and is therefore a legitimate business expense, while the remaining portion reflects personal consumption. The estimates and projections provided reflect the additional tax revenue that would be received if no deduction were allowed.

39

Patronage dividends are somewhat discretionary and vary from year to year. The projections are higher after 2001 due to larger patronage dividend distributions.

Table 3
GST Tax Expenditures
*


 

Estimates

Projections



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Aboriginal Self-Government

               

Refunds for Aboriginal self-government1,2

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Business

               

Exemption3 for domestic financial services

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Exemption for ferry, road and bridge tolls4

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Exemption and rebate for legal aid services

20

25

25

25

30

30

30

30

Non-taxability of certain importations5

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Rebates for foreign visitors6

80

85

85

65

75

75

80

85

Small suppliers' threshold

145

160

170

175

190

200

205

215

Zero-rating7 of agriculture and fish products and purchases

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Zero-rating of certain purchases made by exporters

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

               

Exemption for certain supplies made by non-profit organizations

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Rebates for registered charities1

215

240

250

265

280

295

310

325

Rebates for non-profit organizations1

55

60

60

65

70

70

75

80

Education

               

Exemption for education services (tuition)4

360

375

400

435

460

485

515

545

Rebates for book purchases made by qualifying public institutions

40

40

40

40

45

50

60

75

Rebates for colleges1

65

80

85

85

90

95

100

105

Rebates for schools1

350

375

380

380

395

415

440

460

Rebates for universities1

150

180

205

240

255

265

280

295


 

Estimates

Projections



 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007


 

($ millions)

Health Care

               

Exemption for health care services4

530

535

570

630

655

695

745

805

Rebates for hospitals1

340

390

395

425

445

505

540

565

Zero-rating of medical devices4

125

140

150

160

170

175

190

200

Zero-rating of prescription drugs4

460

500

545

585

615

645

685

730

Households

               

Exemption for child care and personal services4

135

135

135

135

140

150

160

170

GST/HST credit8

2,965

3,005

3,070

3,180

3,310

3,420

3,495

3,565

Zero-rating of basic groceries4

3,230

3,415

3,565

3,700

3,880

4,090

4,335

4,605

Housing

               

Exemption for sales of used residential housing and other personal-use real property

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Exemption for residential rent (long-term)4

1,295

1,280

1,320

1,375

1,430

1,510

1,625

1,755

Rebates for new housing9

590

640

790

845

970

1,015

945

920

Rebates for new residential rental property10

25

40

45

50

55

60

55

55

Municipalities

               

Exemption for municipal transit4

90

95

105

105

110

115

120

130

Exemption for water and basic garbage collection services4

145

150

160

165

175

180

195

205

Rebates for municipalities1,11

645

700

725

805

1,475

1,540

1,635

1,710

Memorandum Items

               

Recognition of Expenses Incurred to Earn Income

               

Rebates to employees and partners12

105

105

110

110

110

110

110

115

Other

               

Exemption for quick method accounting

190

200

205

220

230

245

255

265

Partial input tax credits for meals and entertainment expenses13

115

120

125

130

140

145

150

160


Notes:

1

The public sector body rebates are based on Canada Revenue Agency administrative data for the years up to and including 2003. The projected values for 2004 onwards are based on the Sales Tax Model of the Department of Finance Canada.

2

These refunds are paid to Aboriginal governments that have an agreement providing for a GST/HST refund for goods and services acquired for self-government activities.

3

Final consumers and businesses pay no tax on exempt goods and services. Vendors, however, are not entitled to claim input tax credits to recover the GST/HST paid on inputs to these products.

4

The Sales Tax Model used to generate these estimates is based on the 2001 national input-output tables from Statistics Canada and the latest release of the National Income and Expenditure Accounts.

5

Certain importations are tax-free including, for example, duty-free personal importations by Canadian travellers.

6

The methodology for estimating this tax expenditure was derived as part of the review of the Visitors' Rebate Program conducted during 1997 and has been updated to reflect more recent information. The reduction in rebates for foreign visitors, beginning in 2003, reflects a reduction in the number of foreign visitors to Canada.

7

Final consumers and businesses pay no tax on zero-rated goods and services. Vendors of zero-rated products are entitled to claim input tax credits to recover the GST/HST paid on inputs to these products.

8

Based on personal income tax data.

9

Estimates for the housing rebate are based on information provided by Statistics Canada.

10

The new residential rental property rebate was introduced in the 2000 budget for new construction or substantial renovations commencing after February 27, 2000.

11

The rebate rate for municipalities increased from 57.14% to 100% effective February 1, 2004.

12

This item includes the apprentice vehicle mechanics' tools deduction.

13

Based on tax expenditure estimates and projections reported for the personal and corporate income tax systems.

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