A return of capital results in a deferral of a unitholder's income tax as it is not included in their income but rather it reduces the adjusted cost base of their holdings of the Fund. The reduction in the adjusted cost base of the units are ultimately taxed as a capital gain when the units are sold for investors who hold their units as capital property.
As a result of the Forward Agreement, all of the distributions for 2010 were classified as a return of capital for tax purposes.
The actual breakdown of distributions for tax purposes will be provided to unitholders annually in February. This information will also be posted on the website as soon as it is available.
This information is of a general nature only and does not constitute legal or tax advice to any particular investor. Accordingly, prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their individual circumstances.
Holders of trust units outside of a RRSP, DPSP, RRIF, RESP or TFSA should expect to receive a T3 slip from their investment dealer. T3 supplementary slips will indicate Other Income (Investment Income and Non-Investment Income) in Box 26, Foreign Non-Business Income in Box 25, Capital Gains in Box 21 and Eligible Dividend Income in Box 49. Dividend income is subject to the standard gross up and federal dividend tax credit rules.
The return of capital component is a non-taxable amount that serves to reduce the adjusted cost base of the Fund units and is reported in Box 42.