Whether you trade stocks, forex, or crypto, your tax reporting follows specific rules. We apply them correctly, keep you compliant, and make sure every eligible deduction is claimed.
Did you know that if you hold more than $100,000 in foreign investments at any point in the year, CRA requires you to file a T1135? This applies to many crypto holdings and foreign trading platforms. Failing to file on time comes with penalties of $25 per day, up to $2,500 per year. If your foreign investments exceed $250,000, CRA requires a detailed report with every asset listed.
What actually counts as a “foreign investment”?
Foreign isn’t about the currency — it’s about where the asset resides.
If it lives or is custodied outside Canada, it can qualify as foreign property under CRA rules. This includes:
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U.S. and international stocks (Apple, Tesla, ETFs like VOO, QQQ, etc.)
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Cash or assets held in foreign trading platforms (Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade, Robinhood, etc.)
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Crypto held on foreign exchanges (Binance, KuCoin, Kraken, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Gemini, Bitstamp, etc.)
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Crypto wallets whose custodial servers are outside Canada
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Foreign real estate owned for investment
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Foreign corporate shares not listed on Canadian exchanges
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Foreign mutual funds, REITs, and ETFs
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Precious metals stored outside Canada
Tax pro tip: If you own foreign assets — from offshore crypto to U.S. stocks to a vacation home — reporting them never hurts you. It protects you. If there’s any doubt, disclose it. Personal-use property is exempt from T1135 while you own it, but once you sell, the capital gain is fully taxable with FX conversion and foreign tax credits. The T1135 takes minutes and shields you from avoidable CRA penalties.
Adjusted Cost Base (ACB)
This one is misunderstood — and “misunderstood” is generous. A wrong ACB will cost you money. Forget fees or FX costs, and you’ll pay more tax than you should. Add things you shouldn’t, and CRA will come knocking with interest attached.
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This applies to everything — investments, shares, crypto, real estate, even artwork. If you spend money to acquire an asset, ACB applies. The sources of costs change, but the principle never does. If you’re not sure whether something qualifies, ask us.
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Tax pro tip: Think of putting your investment under a TFSA. Then you don't have to deal with this headache. To learn more about TFSA, RRSP and more, check our CRA Ultimate Playbook.
What You Must Report — No Exceptions
People forget investments all the time — but CRA doesn’t. Your broker, bank, or investment platform sends the information to CRA, so if you leave something off, they’ll send you a bill. T3s, T5s, T5008s, even T1135s for foreign assets — they all get reported. But their numbers don’t always include every part of your ACB, so double-check everything.
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For crypto or any investment that doesn’t generate a slip, you must keep your own records from the moment you bought it until the day you sell — even if that was 20 years ago. CRA expects you to know your cost base, no matter how old the asset is.
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You must report whenever you sell — even partially — and whenever your foreign holdings exceed $100,000 at any point in the year. And if you have a loss? Reporting it protects you, because it can erase future gains.
How Much Will It Cost?
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Let’s talk numbers.
Investments tax return falls under a detailed tax return, which cost $120 for a single person.​
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If you’re filing as a couple, here’s the pricing depending on your spouse’s return type:
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$165 if your spouse has a simple return
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$200 if your spouse has a detailed return
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