In Canada, there will be no amount of taxes due from the receipt of a gift or inheritance in most circumstances. The giver of the gift may have a taxable event occur if they are gifting capital property. The gift will be deemed to have occurred at fair market value, and the gifter will have to pay any taxes owing on the capital gain, if any.

If money or capital property is gifted to a non arms length party, the rules of attribution may apply.

Employer Gifts

If you receive a gift from your employer, it will likely be considered a taxable benefit and therefore income to the employee. The CRA website provides employers a series of questions in order to determine if there is a taxable benefit. Pleasee see: Rules for Gifts and Awards.

CRA Resources

T4130 Employers’ Guide Taxable Benefits

General income tax and benefit package – Guide, return and schedules

Guide RC4466, Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), Guide for Individuals

Income Tax Folio S3-F9-C1: Lottery Winnings, Miscellaneous Receipts, and Income (and Losses) from Crime

Interpretation Bulletin IT-365, Damages, Settlements, and Similar Receipts

Interpretation Bulletin IT-397, Amounts Excluded from Income – Statutory Exemptions and Certain Service or RCMP Pensions, Allowances and Compensation

Interpretation Bulletin IT-397RSR, Amounts Excluded from Income – Statutory Exemptions and Certain Service or RCMP Pensions, Allowances and Compensation – Special Release