Canada Revenue Agency
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Providing a Tax shelter identification number (TSIN)
Under paragraph 237.1(5)(a) promoters of a tax shelter have to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the identification number assigned to a tax shelter is provided to every person who acquires an interest in the tax shelter:
- In the case of a sale or issuance of an interest by any promoter of a tax shelter, the promoter has to provide the identification number to the purchaser directly.
- For subsequent sales of interests in the tax shelter for which the promoter is not directly involved, the promoter's duty will normally be satisfied by clearly including the identification number on each certificate of ownership.
Mandatory statement
Further, under paragraph 237.1(5)(c) every promoter of a tax shelter has to include on every written statement that refers to the identification number of the tax shelter the following statement:
"The identification number issued for this tax shelter shall be included in any income tax return filed by the investor. Issuance of the identification number is for administrative purposes only and does not in any way confirm the entitlement of an investor to claim any tax benefits associated with the tax shelter."
Statement of earnings
Under paragraph 237.1(5)(b) each promoter who prepares a statement of earnings for a tax shelter shall prominently display the tax shelter identification number on the upper right-hand corner of the statement. If an identification number is not obtained in advance, no person may claim any deduction for the tax shelter until the number is obtained, and the promoter pays a penalty. Tax shelter investors have to provide the tax shelter identification number on their claim for tax benefits for any investment in a tax shelter.
Note
We will deny tax benefits claimed by tax shelter investors if they participate in a tax shelter arrangement that does not have a tax shelter identification number.
