Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat, I was considering investing in Dundee REIT. I presently own RioCan. Do you know if these two REITs qualify as exempt under the trust-tax legislation? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Starting in 2011, Ottawa will impose a tax on income trust distributions that will put income trusts on an equal tax footing with conventional taxable corporations. Trusts will pay a 26.5% tax on distributions to unitholders, so your cash flow from those trusts will fall by the same amount. The exceptions are our real estate investment trust (REIT) recommendations. That’s because qualified REITs are exempt from the new tax on distributions. To qualify, REITs must meet the following requirements: 1) REITs must not hold any property other than “qualified REIT properties” at any time during the tax year. 2) At least 95% of the trust’s revenue for the tax year must be derived from: rent from real or immovable properties; interest; capital gains from dispositions of real or immovable properties; dividends; and royalties. 3) At least 75% of the trust’s revenue for the tax year must be derived from: rent or mortgage interest from real or immovable properties situated in Canada and capital gains from…