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Corporation Taxation Glossary

Master the language of tax planning with this easy-to-navigate A–Z reference

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


  • Active Business Income (ABI) – Income earned from core business activities such as sales or services. ABI qualifies for the small business deduction up to a $500,000 threshold for Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs).
  • Active Real Estate Business – A rental business that employs more than five full-time employees; rental income from such a business may qualify as active business income.
  • Blended Compensation Strategy – A tax planning approach that combines salary and dividends to balance personal tax efficiency and corporate deductions.
  • Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) – A private corporation that is controlled by Canadian residents and eligible for tax benefits such as the small business deduction and preferential tax treatment on active business income.
  • Capital Dividend Account (CDA) – A notional account within a private corporation that tracks the non-taxable portion of capital gains and certain other tax-free surpluses; allows tax-free dividend payments to shareholders.
  • Capital Gains – Profits from the sale of capital assets within a corporation; only 50% is taxable, and the remaining 50% may be credited to the CDA for potential tax-free distribution.
  • Corporate Income Tax Return (T2) – The required annual tax filing for all incorporated businesses in Canada, reporting income, deductions, and taxes owed.
  • Corporate Tax Deferral – A strategy where business owners leave income inside a corporation, paying lower corporate tax initially and deferring higher personal tax until funds are withdrawn.
  • Dividend Tax Credit – A non-refundable tax credit that reduces personal income tax on dividends to offset corporate taxes already paid on that income.
  • Eligible Dividend – A dividend paid to shareholders from income taxed at the general corporate rate; receives a higher gross-up and dividend tax credit when taxed personally.
  • Foreign Dividend – Dividend income received from non-Canadian corporations; taxed at high corporate rates and not eligible for the dividend tax credit, though some tax may be refundable upon dividend payout.
  • General Corporate Tax Rate – The standard rate applied to corporate income that exceeds the small business deduction threshold or does not qualify for preferential treatment.
  • Holding Company – A separate corporation used to hold passive investments and isolate them from an active business, often to preserve the operating company's access to the small business deduction.
  • Income Splitting – A strategy using dividends, holding companies, or multiple shareholders to allocate income and reduce overall family tax liability.
  • Incorporation – The process of forming a corporation, creating a separate legal and taxable entity distinct from its owners or shareholders.
  • Independent Contractor – A self-employed individual operating through a corporation; income earned typically qualifies as active business income if not primarily passive.
  • Interest Income – Passive income earned from loans, bonds, or savings within a corporation; taxed at high rates and subject to partial refund through RDTOH when dividends are paid.
  • Investment Income (Corporate) – Income earned from interest, dividends, or rental activities within a corporation; taxed at high rates with some portion refundable upon dividend distribution.
  • Investment Income – Income earned from interest, dividends, capital gains, or rental properties not tied to an active business; generally taxed at high rates and can affect small business deduction eligibility.
  • Non-Eligible Dividend – A dividend paid from income taxed at the small business rate, resulting in a lower dividend tax credit for shareholders.
  • Passive Income – Non-business income earned by a corporation from investments, rentals, or similar sources; taxed at higher rates and may reduce access to the small business deduction if over $50,000.
  • Passive Income Threshold ($50,000 Rule) – The annual limit of passive income a CCPC can earn before its small business deduction limit is reduced; full elimination occurs at $150,000 in passive income.
  • Passive Investment Income – Income earned from investments rather than business operations; if it exceeds $50,000 annually, it may reduce access to the small business deduction.
  • Professional Services Corporation – A corporation offering services such as consulting, healthcare, or law; income is generally classified as active business income, eligible for small business rates.
  • Refundable Dividend Tax on Hand (RDTOH) – A corporate tax account that allows certain taxes paid on investment income to be refunded when taxable dividends are paid to shareholders.
  • Reinvesting Corporate Profits – Using retained earnings within a corporation to fund business growth, which may defer personal tax and preserve access to small business tax rates.
  • Rental Income  – Income from leasing property, taxed as passive income unless the corporation qualifies as an active real estate business (typically with 6+ full-time employees).
  • Retained Earnings – After-tax profits kept within a corporation for reinvestment, reserves, or future dividend payouts.
  • Salary vs. Dividends – A strategic choice for shareholders who work in the business, balancing personal tax rates, RRSP contribution room, and corporate deductions.
  • Small Business Deduction (SBD) – A tax incentive that lowers the corporate tax rate on the first $500,000 of active business income earned by qualifying CCPCs.
  • Tax Integration – A principle where combined corporate and personal taxes on distributed earnings approximate personal tax rates, aiming to reduce double taxation.