Definition
A limited partnership has at least one general partner (GP) with unlimited liability who manages the business, and one or more limited partners (LPs) whose liability is capped at their invested capital. Income, losses, and capital gains flow through to partners in proportion to their interest and are taxed in each partner's hands rather than at the entity level. In real estate or resource sector LPs, early years often generate tax losses (from CCA or resource expenditures) that LPs can use to offset other income, subject to the at-risk rules under ITA s.96 and the limited partnership loss rules in ITA s.96(2.1)-(2.7). LP units are typically sold under a prospectus exemption (NI 45-106) and are illiquid; the secondary market is thin or non-existent. A registrant recommending an LP must assess whether the client's tax position actually benefits from the flow-through losses, whether the client has the risk capacity to sustain a total loss of capital, and whether the illiquidity matches the time horizon.
Source
Income Tax Act s.96; NI 45-106; CIRO IDPC Rule 3402
Where this shows up on the CIRE
- Outcome 5.3