Common Reporting Standard (CRS)

What is the Common Reporting Standard (CRS)?

To better prevent cross-border tax evasion, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) created the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for over 100 participating jurisdictions to implement through local laws during 2016 or 2017. Financial institutions have new obligations to accommodate the automatic exchange of tax information between countries. Financial Institutions are required to:

• Identify Clients with “Reportable Accounts” and get their foreign Tax Information Number (TIN).

• Annually report information regarding those Clients and their Accounts and/or transactions. This information will be reported to the local tax authority, which will forward it to the applicable national tax authority.

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What are Reportable Accounts?

An Account is subject to reporting if both the Account and the Account holder are reportable. Types of Tangerine Accounts that are reportable include Savings Accounts, Chequing Accounts, Investment Fund Accounts and Business Accounts.

We expect that the vast majority of our Clients won’t be reportable. We’ll be asking new Clients (and certain existing Clients) to complete a tax residency certification. This involves indicating whether the Client is required to file taxes in any countries other than Canada and providing any applicable TINs. Reportable Clients are those who certify as having foreign tax obligations and those who don’t complete their certification 90 days after being asked.

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How will you determine if I have Reportable Accounts?

Beginning July 1, 2017, new Clients will be asked if they’re required to file taxes in any countries other than Canada. Existing Clients will be asked this question if the information we have on file indicates that reporting may be required for their Accounts. We’ll then review the information provided to determine if the Client’s Accounts are reportable. We’ll also be asking certain existing business Clients to provide tax residency certification of their controlling persons. Existing Clients will be asked this question if the information we have on file indicates that reporting may be required for their Accounts. We’ll then review the information provided to determine if the Client’s Accounts are reportable.

If you’re asked to provide tax residency certification, you’ll also be considered reportable if you don’t provide the information within 90 days.

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What information do you collect as part of CRS requirements?

Tax residency certifications will be required from all new Clients and certain existing Clients.

Clients will be asked to provide the following information:

• Name and residence address

• Jurisdiction(s) of residence for tax purposes

• Tax Information Number (TIN) issued by each jurisdiction of tax residence

• Date of birth

Business Clients will be asked to provide the following information related to the entity:

• Jurisdiction(s) of residence for tax purposes

• TIN issued by each jurisdiction of tax residence

• Name(s) of controlling person(s) for certain entity types

• TIN issued by each jurisdiction of tax residence for controlling persons for certain entity types

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If I’m reportable, what will be reported?

Your information will be reported to the Canada Revenue Agency and will include the following:

• Name and address

• Tax Information Number (TIN)

• Account Balance

• Account earnings over the year including dividends, interest, gross proceeds and other income

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Can you give me advice related to CRS, such as helping me determine my tax residencies?

We can only provide general information about CRS (such as the information in this section of our website). We aren’t able to provide you with tax advice and would encourage you to go to oecd.org for further information. You may also want to speak with a professional tax advisor.

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When does CRS take effect?

CRS takes effect in Canada on July 1, 2017.

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Are all banks complying?

Financial institutions in Canada are all required to comply with CRS.

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Do you need my consent to share my information?

We’re required to comply with CRS requirements. We also have a policy of strict adherence to privacy legislation and protection of Client data.

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What happens if I refuse to answer the Tax Residency Certification questions?

Much like other information about yourself that you’re required to provide today (e.g. full name, identification, address, occupation, date of birth), CRS introduces the new obligation of also providing your tax residency information and associated TIN. If we don’t get this information from you for any reason, you may then be deemed reportable to the local tax authorities.

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Does CRS only apply to regular, personal bank accounts?

CRS applies to other types of accounts besides personal bank accounts. It also appies to certain business accounts and investment or brokerage accounts. However, reporting is not required for certain types of accounts. For example, RSP accounts are exempt.

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How are joint Accounts handled under CRS?

We assess each Account holder individually. If an Account holder is found to be reportable, then that individual is reported as if he/she held the entire Account in their name only.

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I already have documentation on file related to U.S. FATCA. Is this sufficient for CRS?

Documentation provided for U.S. FATCA may not be sufficient for the purpose of CRS. When CRS-related documentation is required, we’ll let you know what’s needed.

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Where can I go for more information?

Detailed information on CRS is available here.

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