Capital Gains Tax Canada – All you need to know and How to Avoid it?

This can be understood as when you sell an asset like stocks, bonds, or investment property for more than their adjusted cost base (ACB), you realize a capital gain. Capital gains tax is the tax you must pay on the profit (the capital gain) you made from the sale of that asset. The amount of tax you owe can vary depending on your country’s tax laws and the duration for which you held the asset.

Understanding Canada Capital Gains Tax

It is important to understand that capital gains are not taxed consistently at the rate of 50% instead, an individual owes only half of the capital gain, or increased tax, on any given sale then the taxes are applied on the marginal tax rate provincially and federally. Both provincial and federal tax slabs are divided into five tiers as per the income, and the minimum tax rate is taxed on the total income.  

Below are how the federal tax brackets break down for the 2021 tax year:

Annual IncomeTax BracketsTax RatesTax Maximum Per BracketTotal Tax Maximum
Up to $49,020The first $49,02015%$7,353$7,353
$49,020 to $98,040The next $49,02020.50%$10,049.10$17,402.10 ($7,353 + $10,049.10)
$98,040 to $151,978The next $53,93826%$14,023.88$31,425.98 ($17,402.10 + $14,023.88)
$151,978 to $216,511The next $64,53329%$18,714.58$50,140.55 ($31,425.98 + $18,714.57)
Over $216,511Over $216,51133%n/an/a

If you made a $10,000 profit from an investment, $5,000 of that is subject to taxation. You calculate the tax amount by multiplying the $5,000 by the applicable tax rate based on your annual income after deducting any selling expenses. The result will either be a capital gain or a capital loss. If it’s a capital gain, this is the amount you need to pay in capital gains tax, and the remaining profit is yours to retain.

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Canada Capital Gains Tax: Overview

Article NameCapital Gains Tax Canada
RegulatorCanada Revenue Agency
PurposeTo tax the income gained on a capital transaction
CGT rates in Canada50% of Capital Gain
PaymentAlong with the Income-tax return
CRA Official Websitecanada.ca

Canada Capital Gains Tax: Rates

If you are selling a property in Canada that has never been your primary property, then home sales, and real estate impose taxes for the house just like any other capital gain. In Canada, marginal tax rates based on your income are applied to 50% of your realized capital gain. In Canada, it is a popular idea to pay 50% taxes on capital gains.  

An individual is obliged to only 50% of the total capital gain. Moreover, all the CRA tax up to 100% of capital gain from the traders who manage their living costs through the purchase and sale of the real estate.

Capital Gains Tax Canada - All you need to know and How to Avoid it?

Canada Capital Gains Tax: Calculation

 In Canada, in a similar year in which you sell out your asset, it is required to make a declaration of the tax on the capital gain just like the tax return applied to your income. Relying on the tax bracket, 50 percent of capital gains are subject to a marginal tax rate.

To determine your profit, it appears that you should divide your capital profit in half. Then, include this amount in your total income and pay income tax based on the tax rate that corresponds to your income bracket.

Let’s take an example to understand the calculation completely:

  • Price of the property=$800,000
  • Selling price of the asset=$700,00
  • Capital gain=$800,000-700,00=100,00
  • Taxable Capital Gain Amount=100,00/2=$50,000

Put simply, you’ll be subject to taxes on $50,000 of capital gains. In other words, you raise your total taxable income for that year by $50,000. Next, determine your applicable personal tax bracket and pay your income tax accordingly.

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How to avoid Capital Gains Tax

In Canada, not every kind of investment is subject to capital gain tax. There are some situations discussed below in which taxes are payable on capital gains.

  • Capital tax is exempted from the primary residence by CRA. Hence, if you sell out your primary residence in Canada, you are not liable to pay any capital gains tax.
  • Canada residents may deduct capital gains through tax-loss harvesting. If one tends to balance gains, he/she may have to carry a net capital loss forward or backward for three years of duration.
  • Investments conducted in registered accounts, like TFSA, RESP, or RRSP may help in the reduction or elimination of capital gains tax.
  • Capital gains tax can be avoided or declined through donating investments, like mutual funds or shares.
  • It’s possible to deduct or completely avoid the taxes on capital gains if an individual owns a small business and sells it.

Due to the government’s remarkable increase in spending, the deficit has surged to unsustainable levels. This has raised the prospect of a potential hike in the capital gains tax rate.

If an individual wishes to avoid the tax paid on capital gains on their mutual bonds, stocks, funds, real estate holdings, or ETFs, they can adopt some ways to reduce or avoid the taxes on capital gains in Canada. Registered accounts in Canada are officially recognized by the government and offer tax advantages that differ based on the specific type of account.

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FAQs Related to Capital Gains Tax Canada

What is the rule on capital gains in Canada?

In Canada, only 50 percent of the total capital gains are liable to pay tax.

What is the tax rate on capital gains in Canada in 2023?

Consider, if you realize a capital gain of $50,000 this year, then $25,00 i.e., the half amount must be considered as income on the total tax return.

Can I skip the capital gain tax?

If your Long-Term Capital Gains from Equity Mutual Funds in a financial year are Rs.1 lakh or less, you are not required to pay any Capital Gains Tax on the returns.

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