If you’re a business owner in Canada, you might have heard of the term “Canadian Controlled Private Corporation” or CCPC. This type of corporation is defined by the Canadian government as a private corporation that is owned and controlled by Canadian residents.
CCPCs are considered advantageous for businesses due to the potential for reduced tax rates on eligible dividends and access to certain tax credits. In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about CCPCs and how they can benefit your business.
What is a Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC)?
As mentioned earlier, a CCPC is a type of private corporation that is owned and controlled by Canadian residents. The term “controlled” refers to the fact that at least 50% of the corporation’s voting shares are held by Canadian residents. The corporation must also meet certain criteria, such as having no more than 50 employees and having more than 10% of its assets in passive investments.
Why are CCPCs considered advantageous?
CCPCs are advantageous for businesses due to the potential for reduced tax rates on eligible dividends. Eligible dividends are paid out of a CCPC’s active business income and are taxed at a lower rate than other types of dividends.
In addition, CCPCs have access to certain tax credits, such as the small business deduction, which allows eligible corporations to deduct a portion of their income from taxes. CCPCs can also claim the scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax credit, which is designed to encourage Canadian businesses to conduct research and development.
How to set up a CCPC?
To set up a CCPC, you will need to incorporate your business and meet the criteria set out by the Canadian government, including having at least 50% of the corporation’s voting shares held by Canadian residents.
You will also need to file a corporate tax return every year and meet certain reporting requirements. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a tax professional to ensure that you are meeting all the necessary requirements and taking advantage of all available tax credits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canadian Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) can be advantageous for businesses due to the potential for reduced tax rates on eligible dividends and access to certain tax credits. If you’re a business owner in Canada, it’s important to consider the benefits of setting up a CCPC and to seek the advice of a tax professional to ensure that you’re meeting all the necessary requirements and taking advantage of all available tax credits.