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Capital Losses vs Non-Capital Losses

Capital Losses vs Non-Capital Losses

Capital Losses vs Non-Capital Losses

 Capital Losses Vs. Non-Capital Losses

 Capital Loss

A capital loss arises when you sell a capital property you own for less than its adjusted cost base. A capital loss can be carried back three years and forward indefinitely. The inclusion rate for a capital loss is as follows:

Year Inclusion Percentage
Before 1988 50%
1988 and 1989 67%
1990 to 1999 75%
Jan 1 to Feb 27, 2000 75%
Feb 28 to Oct 16, 2000 67%
Oct 17 to Dec 31, 2000 50%
2001 to present 50%

Non-Capital Loss (Business loss)

A non-capital loss arises when you incur  any loss from employment, property or a business. The carry-forward periods are:

Year of Loss Carry Forward Period Carry Back Period
Taxation years ending March 22, 2004 7 Years 3 Years
Taxation years ending after March 22, 2004 10 Years 3 Years
Taxation years ending after 2005 20 Years 3 Years

Capital Losses vs. Business Losses 

A capital loss can only be applied to reduce a capital gain. However, a business loss has more flexibility and it can be applied to reduce a capital gain or other income. In the case of Mr. Prochuk vs. Queen he tried to argue his losses were business losses and could be used to reduce other income. Mr. Prochuk was not successful in arguing his claim because he did not meet the criteria for a business loss. Mr. Prochuk was an engineer turned investor, he should have considered the following seven factors to determine if his losses were capital or non-capital.

The factors to be considered for a investment transaction to determine the type of loss:

  1. The number of transactions
  2. The intention of the purchaser when buying the securities
  3. The length of time that the securities are held
  4. The quality of the securities
  5. The time devoted to stock market transactions
  6. The extent of borrowing
  7. The taxpayer’s expertise or special knowledge in the securities market

The court concluded that Mr. Prochuk had acquired his investment for a long-term and was a passive investor, therefore his losses would be capital losses not business losses.

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