What is the Shareholder Loan Account?

A “draw” or “due from shareholder” may be used to describe the transaction because the shareholder loan amount is due to the corporation by the shareholder in the future. A shareholder is not required to include a loan from the organization in their taxable income for the fiscal year in which the credit was received concerning shareholder borrowing under the Income Tax Act.

Before the end of the following fiscal year, a shareholder loan must be repaid to the company to remain tax-free. Interest at a set rate must be charged if a loan to a shareholder is to be exempt from the Canada Revenue Agency treating it as income. Any loans given should be outlined in a written agreement or corporate resolution that is maintained on file.

Interest on Shareholder loans

The (CRA), a branch of the Canadian federal government, determines the interest rates on shareholder loans every week. Shareholder Loan interest rates will change as follows between 2009 and 2020:

• The interest rate for shareholder loans was one percent from April 1, 2009, until March 31, 2018.
• As efforts are made throughout the globe to minimize the severe impacts of the ongoing financial crisis, the interest rate on shareholder loans was decreased to 1% on July 1, 2020

The Impact of Shareholder Loans on Taxes

Before receiving a loan from a shareholder, several tax considerations must be examined. The provision requiring the return on shareholder debts is the most important one. The main rule is that you are exempt from including the repayment in your taxable income if you return the shareholder loan amount within a year of the end of the corporation’s fiscal year.

If you don’t pay back the full loan balance by the deadline, the balance will be regarded as income, and you’ll have to pay taxes on it.

If you did not receive interest on the loan, you must also include the interest generated at the aforementioned rate in your taxable income. The needed rate is now 2%, however, it may alter quarterly. This interest is taxable since it is a benefit (a loan) that you got as a shareholder. Any remuneration or bonus you earned this year may have tax repercussions.

Benefits of Shareholder Loan

The opportunity to withdraw money from the business without having to pay taxes on it is one advantage of a shareholder loan. This increases the planning potential of investors but also increases their freedom and desire to break the law. As a result, under the Income Tax Act, the principal loan balance of any shareholder loan is immediately included in the taxpayer’s income. To prevent an expensive or unexpected tax consequence, your loan must also satisfy one of the following requirements.

Final Thought

You could discover that borrowing from your shareholders is a suitable option if you need money right now. Additionally, they provide shareholders more flexibility over how and when to access their money.

You may want to think about requesting your shareholders for a loan if you require cash flow right now and you can afford a loan term that is less than a year. You may be able to avoid having to declare the money as income if you repay the loan within the year.