Real Estate Taxation

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
ACCT 3570
Discontinued
No
Course code
ACCT 3570
Descriptive
Real Estate Taxation
Department
Accounting
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

In person: Lecture and/or Seminar: 1 X 3 hours per week OR 2 X 2hrs per week

or

Hybrid: minimum 50% in person and up to 50% online

or

Online: Synchronous and/or Asynchronous Lecture and/or Seminar

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Online
Hybrid
Learning activities

Lecture and/or seminar

All methods of instruction apply to in class, hybrid and/or online modes of learning.

Course description
This course provides an introduction to Canadian taxation topics related to the real estate industry. Building on introductory corporate and individual taxation topics, this course explores the tax consequences of real estate purchases and sales, effective tax structuring and planning in the real estate industry, sales and other indirect taxes, and financing issues. This course explores the taxation of resident and non-residents holding Canadian real estate.
Course content
  • Review of the Canadian Taxation system as it pertains to individuals, corporations, trusts, and partnerships, including:
    • Taxation of Aggregate investment income (AII), including rental income.
    • Real estate as business income and capital property.
    • Capital cost allowance (CCA).
  • Real estate development, purchases, and sales.
  • Changes in use of properties.
  • Tax structuring for real estate - Partnerships, trusts, and corporations.
  • Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).
  • Financing issues for real estate companies.
  • Tenant and leasing issues.
    • Tenant inducements.
    • Lease cancellations.
    • Rent-free periods.
  • Tax incentives for real estate.
  • Sales (GST/HST) and other indirect taxes, including property transfer taxes and speculation and vacancy taxes.
  • Non-residents and Canadian real estate.
Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student should be able to:

  • Evaluate tax law and procedures to solve various taxation issues for corporations, partnerships, and trusts in the real estate industry;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of special topics pertaining to taxation in the real estate industry;
  • Demonstrate how to obtain tax information to solve issues with regards to taxation in the real estate industry;
  • Analyze transactions in the real estate industry for the application of sales and other indirect taxes;
  • Evaluate various organizational structures in the real estate industry for tax efficiency.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

Assignment(s) and/or quizzes 15%-25%
Term project(s) and/or case studies 10%-20%
In-Class work and/or in-class assignments and/or participation 5%-10%
Midterm Examination 25%
Final Examination (Cumulative) 35%
Total 100%

Students must write the midterm examination and the final examination to obtain credit for the course. 

To pass this course, students must obtain a minimum of 50% on invigilated assessments, with the 50% calculated on a weighted average basis.

Invigilated assessments include, in-class quizz(es), midterm examination and the final examination.

Textbook materials

Clarence Byrd and Ida Chen.  Canadian Tax Principles, latest edition, Pearson Education Canada. 

OR other textbooks as approved by the Accounting department.

AND Instructor selected material relevant to real estate taxation.

Prerequisites

ACCT 3370 with a minimum grade of C