A capital loss, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), refers to the loss incurred when disposing of a capital property or investment at a lower value than its original purchase price. Capital losses can arise from the sale of stocks, bonds, real estate, or other types of capital assets.
The CRA allows taxpayers to use capital losses to offset capital gains in the same tax year or in future years. This means that if you have capital gains from the sale of assets, you can apply capital losses to reduce or eliminate the taxable portion of those gains.
However, there are specific rules and limitations set by the CRA regarding the use of capital losses. In general, you can only use capital losses to offset capital gains, and any remaining losses can be carried forward to future years indefinitely. It’s important to note that capital losses cannot be used to offset other types of income, such as employment income or business income.
If you have incurred capital losses and wish to apply them for tax purposes, it is recommended to consult with a tax professional or refer to the CRA guidelines for accurate information and to understand the specific rules and limitations that apply to your situation.