Excessive interest and financing expenses limitation rules

The excessive interest and financing expenses limitation (EIFEL) rules limit the deductibility of interest and financing expenses by affected corporations and trusts.

The rules address concerns on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) to:

  • Bring Canada in line with other foreign jurisdictions, and
  • Make sure taxpayers pay their fair share of taxes

The rules apply to tax years starting on or after October 1, 2023.

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Note: All legislative references on this page are to the Income Tax Act, unless otherwise noted. 

On this page

What the rules are

The rules integrate with existing income tax provisions that allow interest and financing expenses (IFE) to be deducted.

The rules put a cap on net IFE. The net IFE is the excess IFE  over the interest and financing revenues (IFR).

IFE and IFR are defined in subsection 18.2(1).

: Option 1 of 2

The cap on net IFE is equal to a fixed ratio of adjusted taxable income, as defined in subsection 18.2(1): 

  • 30% for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2024
  • 40% for tax years starting on or after October 1, 2023, and before January 1, 2024

: Option 2 of 2

If an election is filed, the cap on net IFE is equal to an allocated group ratio amount, as defined in subsection 18.21(2). The allocated group ratio amount is determined using audited consolidated financial statements.

Who the rules affect

The rules affect corporations or trusts with IFE or IFR, as well as corporations or trusts that:

  • hold interests directly or indirectly in controlled foreign affiliates (CFAs) that have relevant affiliate interest and financing expenses or relevant affiliate interest and financing revenues, as defined in subsection 18.2(1)
  • are members or have CFAs that are members of partnerships that have IFE and IFR

Excluded entities

The rules do not affect a corporation or a trust that is an excluded entity. The term excluded entity is defined in subsection 18.2(1) and generally includes, for a tax year:

  • a corporation that was a Canadian-controlled private corporation throughout the tax year and that has taxable capital employed in Canada of less than $50 million together with any associated corporations
  • a Canadian-resident corporation or trust that, together with any other applicable taxpayers, has aggregate net interest and financing expenses of $1 million or less
  • a Canadian-resident corporation or trust that:
    • is a standalone entity or a member of a group consisting only of Canadian-resident corporations and trusts
    • carries on substantially all of its business, if any, undertakings, and activities in Canada and has limited ties to non‑resident persons
    • has all or substantially all of its interest and financing expenses paid or payable to persons or partnerships that are not tax-indifferent, as defined in subsection 18.2(1),  and that do not deal at arm’s length with the taxpayer or any member of the group

Filing your information

Schedule 130 is available for corporations, trusts, and partnerships at Canada Revenue Agency forms listed by number.

For more guidance on completing certain parts of the schedules, refer to Supplemental instructions for filing under the EIFEL rules.

For an overview on filing your information under the rules, review each of the following sections.

Corporations:

You must file Form T2SCH130, Excessive Interest and Financing Expenses Limitation, with your corporation income tax return unless you are exempt. A corporation is exempt from filing Form T2SCH130 if it meets both of the following conditions:

the corporation is one of the following:

  • exempt from Part I tax because of section 149
  • an excluded entity
  • a financial institution group entity, as defined in subsection 18.2(1), that has determined its proportion under subsection 18.2(2) to be nil
  • a  financial holding corporation, as defined in subsection 18.2(1), that has determined its proportion under subsection 18.2(2) to be nil
  • a general partner that:
    1. holds less than a 1% share in a limited partnership
    2. holds no other property than its share in that limited partnership, and
    3. carries on no other business than that of the limited partnership
  • a non-resident exempt from Part I tax because of a tax treaty  

the corporation is not a party to an election under the rules

If your corporation is exempt from filing Form T2SCH130, leave the box on line 278 on the corporation income tax return blank.

You must keep documents showing that your corporation meets the requirements for exemption with your records.

How to file Form T2SCH130 if the corporation is not exempt

You can file Form T2SCH130  with your corporation income tax return using certified tax preparation software, if the software supports it. 

If your software product does not support Form T2SCH130 you must download and complete a PDF version of Form T2SCH130 and submit it using one of the following methods:

Using the T2 Attach-a-doc-service

The T2 Attach-a-doc service allows corporations to attach supporting documents, such as certificates, when they file their corporation income tax return or within 24 hours of filing. This service is not mandatory for certified software products. Some include it and others do not.

If you have questions on the availability of the service, contact the software product company.

Requirements for filing an attachment

You must have filed the initial or amended return electronically within the last 24 hours.

Before filing an attachment, make sure you have:

  • your EFILE number and password to file, or a web access code for your corporation
  • the date and time of the  return you want to attach the document to
  • the confirmation number of your  return

Follow these document requirements:

  • limit the size of a single transmission to 150 MB (this means you may have to make multiple transmissions to send documents that exceed the limit)
  • use one of the following file types for your documents: pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, rtf, txt, jpg, jpeg, tiff, tif, or xps
How to attach documents to your return
  1. Select “Attach-a-doc” from within the tax software (you have 24 hours to attach a document to an electronically submitted return)
  2. You will need the date and time of the return you want to attach the document to along with the confirmation number of the electronic transmission
  3. Select the document type “Elections” from the drop-down menu list
  4. Enter a description using 255 characters or less
  5. Select "Submit/Transmit," and we will provide you with a confirmation
Using My Business Account or Represent a Client

If your software product does not provide the T2 Attach-a-doc service, you can submit Form T2SCH130 through My Business Account or Represent A Client using Submit documents

  1. Select “No” when asked: “Do you have a case or reference number?“
  2. Select “Special Elections and Returns” as the topic
  3. Select “No” when asked: “Do you have a SERS Electronic Filing Confirmation Number?“
  4. Select “Supporting documentation” as the reason
  5. Select Form T2152A as the form type, then select the applicable program account number

Trusts

You must file Form T3SCH130, Excessive Interest and Financing Expense Limitation with your trust income tax and information return unless your trust is exempt. A trust is exempt from filing Form T3SCH130 if it meets both of the following conditions:

the trust is one of the following:

  • a bare trust that is not otherwise required to file an income tax return
  • exempt from Part I tax under section 149
  • an excluded entity
  • a testamentary trust as defined in subsection 108(1),
  • described in any of paragraphs (a), (a.1), (b), (d) or (e) of the definition of a trust in subsection 108(1)
  • a non-resident exempt from Part I tax because of a tax treaty

the trust is not a party to an election under the rules

If your trust is exempt from filing Form T3SCH130, answer “No” to the question on line 15 on the trust income tax and information return.

You must keep documents showing that your trust meets the exemption requirements.

How to file Form T3SCH130 if the trust is not exempt

Using tax preparation software

You can file Form T3SCH130 with your trust income tax and information return if your certified tax preparation software supports it. 

If your software product does not support Form T3SCH130, download and complete a PDF version of Form T3SCH130 and submit it through Represent A Client using Submit documents.

 

Using Represent a Client

Tax preparers and authorized representatives of trust administrators can access the Submit documents services online in Represent a Client.

  1. Under “Access client information” enter the trust account number and select “Access T3”
  2. Select “Submit documents” from the menu bar
  3. Select “No” when asked, “Do you have a case or reference number?“
  4. Select “Special Elections and Returns” as the topic
  5. Select “No” when asked, “Do you have a SERS Electronic Filing Confirmation Number?“
  6. Select “Send Special Election or Return form or supporting documentation” as the reason
  7. Enter “T3SCH130” in the supporting documents box

Partnerships

You must file Form T5013SCH130, Partnership Interest and Financing Expenses and Interest and Financing Revenues with your partnership information return if both of the following conditions apply during the fiscal period:

  1. your partnership has a corporation or trust as a member or deemed to be a member under subsection 18.2(12)
  2. your partnership has IFE or IFR that affects a member’s calculation of the proportion under subsection 18.2(2). This includes amounts described in subsection 18.2(1) under:
    • paragraph (h) of variable A of the definition of IFE
    • paragraph (b) of variable B of the definition of IFE
    • paragraph (f) of variable A of the definition of IFR
    • paragraphs (b) to (d) of variable B of the definition of IFR

Your partnership is exempt from filing Form T5013SCH130 if all members, including deemed members under subsection 18.2(12), are not required to file Schedule 130 with their corporation income tax return, trust income tax and information return, or partnership information return for the tax year or fiscal period that includes the end of the fiscal period of your partnership.

If your partnership is exempt from filing Form T5013SCH130 for a fiscal period, answer “No” to the question on line 233 on Form T5013FIN, Partnership Financial Return.

Your partnership must keep, with its records, written notification from each member identifying the reason it is exempt from filing a Schedule 130.

How to file Form T5013SCH130 if the partnership is not exempt

Using tax preparation software

You can file Form T5013SCH130 with your partnership information return for the fiscal period if your certified tax preparation software supports it.

If your software product does not support Form T5013SCH130, download and complete the PDF version of Form T5013SCH130 and submit it through My Business Account or Represent A Client using Submit documents

Using My Business Account or Represent a Client

You can access the Submit documents services online in My Business Account or Represent a Client.

  1. Select “No” when asked, “Do you have a case or reference number?“
  2. Select “More topics” as the topic
  3. Select “Submit supporting documents for Partnership Financial Return (T5013FIN)”

A partnership required to complete Form T5013SCH130 must also provide each member with detailed calculations of the relevant affiliate interest and financing expenses  and relevant affiliate interest and financing revenues   of any CFA of the partnership.

Making an election Updated

The rules contain several election provisions that allow you to choose an alternative tax treatment if you meet the conditions.

Forms for these elections are available for corporations, trusts, and partnerships at Canada Revenue Agency forms listed by number.

Form T2224, Transitional Election Under the Excessive Interest and Financing Expenses Limitation Rules

Use Form T2224 to elect to apply the transitional rules. The transitional rules   allow a group of eligible pre regime group entities to calculate group net excess capacity for the three years before the first year the EIFEL rules apply (pre-regime years). The group net excess capacity is then included in the cumulative unused excess capacity, as defined in subsection 18.2(1), in the first three years the EIFEL rules apply. This inclusion may reduce the amount of IFE that would otherwise be restricted in those years.

If you make an election under the transitional rules, you may also elect, for the pre-regime years, if applicable, using the following forms:

  • Form T2225, Group Ratio Rules Election Under Subsection 18.21(2) and Fair Value Adjustments Election Under Subsection 18.21(4) 
  • Form T2228, Specified Pre-regime Loss Election under Subsection 18.2(1)

For information on how to file these elections, go to: Form T2225, Group Ratio Rules Election Under Subsection 18.21(2) and Fair Value Adjustments Election Under Subsection 18.21(4) and Form T2228, Specified Pre-regime Loss Election under Subsection 18.2(1).

The terms eligible pre-regime group entity and group net excess capacity are defined in the transitional rules to section 18.2. Refer to subsection 7(2) of Bill C-59.

Form T2225, Group Ratio Rules Election Under Subsection 18.21(2) and Fair Value Adjustments Election Under Subsection 18.21(4)

Use Form T2225 to elect to use the group ratio rules. These rules allow eligible taxpayers to calculate a group ratio using amounts reported on audited consolidated financial statements. Using a group ratio may allow a greater IFE deduction than the fixed ratio of 30% or 40%.

If a taxpayer elects to use the group ratio rules, they may also elect, using Form T2225, to exclude fair value amounts when  determining group adjusted net book income. This exclusion applies to all future tax years and the election can  be made only in the first year a taxpayer files the group ratio rules election.

The terms group adjusted net book income, group ratio and fair value amount are defined in subsection 18.21(1).

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is revising Form T2225 to streamline reporting requirements. Until the new version of the form is available, follow the new instructions below.

Previous instructions New instructions
When filing Form T2225, report all applicable amounts in the specified boxes When filing Form T2225:
  • report all applicable amounts on the specified lines, except for lines 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, and 246, which may be left blank
  • report on line 5C the amount you would otherwise have reported on line 234
  • report on line 5D the amount you would otherwise have reported on line 246

Form T2226, Election to Transfer Cumulative Unused Excess Capacity Under Subsection 18.2(4)

Use Form T2226 to elect to transfer cumulative unused excess capacity from one corporation or fixed interest commercial trust to another within a group of eligible group entities. The entity receiving the capacity may then be able to deduct more IFE, up to the amount of capacity it received. The terms eligible group entity and fixed interest commercial trust are defined in subsection 18.2(1).

Form T2227, Excluded Interest Election Under Subsection 18.2(1)

Use Form T2227 to elect  to exclude interest or lease financing amount payments made between two qualifying members of a group from IFE and IFR.

The terms excluded interest and leasing financing amount are defined in subsection 18.2(1).

Form T2228, Specified Pre-regime Loss Election under Subsection 18.2(1)

When calculating adjusted taxable income, an add-back is required to adjust for certain amounts included in a non-capital loss being deducted in the current tax year. For non-capital losses from tax years ending before February 4, 2022, a taxpayer can choose to file Form T2228 to treat the loss as a specified pre-regime loss under subsection 18.2(1). If the taxpayer chooses this option,  it must add back 25% of the loss  deducted when calculating adjusted taxable income. This election may apply if, for example, a corporation or trust no longer has documents to support the amounts included in the non-capital loss.

The CRA is streamlining reporting requirements for Form T2228. The new instructions to elect to treat the loss as a specified pre-regime loss are below.

Previous instructions New instructions
When filing Form T2228, report all applicable amounts on the specified lines.

For corporations

The CRA is waiving the requirement to file Form T2228 for corporations for tax years starting on or after October 1, 2023. A corporation can instead make this election by reporting the add-back of 25% of the specified pre-regime loss on line 090 of Form T2SCH130.

If the election relates to a pre-regime year, a corporation must still file Form T2228. However, it does not have to report amounts on lines 202 to 225.

For trusts

A trust making this election must still file Form T2228. However, the trust is not required to report amounts on lines 202 to 225. 

Form T2229, Election to Forgo a Foreign Accrual Property Loss Under Clause 95(2)(f.11)(ii)(E)

Use Form T2229 to elect under clause 95(2)(f.11)(ii)(E) to treat otherwise deductible relevant affiliate interest and financing expenses of a CFA as not deductible when computing the CFA’s income or loss from a property, a business other than an active business, or a non-qualifying business. As a result, these elected amounts are not included in the corporation’s or trust’s IFE for its tax year.

The CRA is revising Form T2229 to streamline reporting requirements. Until the new version of the form is available, follow the new instructions below.

Previous instructions New instructions
When filing Form T2229, report all applicable amounts on the specified lines. When filing Form T2229, report all applicable amounts on the specified lines, except lines 230 and 250, which may be left blank.

The taxpayer must keep details of each elected amount and provide them to the CRA upon request.

How to file an election

Download and complete a PDF version of the election form.

For corporations

Submit the completed election form through My Business Account or Represent A Client using Submit documents

  1. Select “No” when asked for case or reference number
  2. Select “Special Elections and Returns” as the topic and “Supporting documentation” as the reason
  3. Select “No” when asked the following: “Do you have a SERS Electronic Filing Confirmation Number?“
  4. Select Form T2152A as the form type, then select the applicable program account number

If you are not filing electronically, mail the form to your tax centre. To determine your tax centre, refer to: Tax centres.

For trusts

Tax preparers and authorized representatives of trust administrators can access the Submit documents service in Represent A Client.

  1. Under “Access client information” enter the trust account number and select “Access T3”
  2. Select “Submit documents” in the menu bar
  3. Select “No” when asked, ”Do you have a case or reference number?”
  4. Select “Special Elections and Returns” as the topic
  5. Select “No” when asked, “Do you have a SERS Electronic Filing Confirmation Number?”
  6. Select “Send Special Election or Return form or supporting documentation” as the reason
  7. Enter the applicable election form number in the supporting documents box

If you are not filing electronically, mail the election form to your tax centre. To determine your tax centre, refer to: Where to file a trust return.

For partnerships

You can access the Submit documents service in My Business Account or Represent A Client

  1. Select “No” when asked, ”Do you have a case or reference number?”
  2. Select “More topics” as the topic
  3. Select “Submit supporting documents for Partnership Financial Return (T5013FIN)”

If you are not filing electronically, mail the election form to:

Prince Edward Island Tax Centre
275 Pope Rd
Summerside PE C1N 6A2

Information return requirement waived

Although subsection 18.2(6) requires your corporation or trust to file an information return if it has received capacity in a joint election under subsection 18.2(4), the CRA is waiving this filing requirement at this time.

Keeping records

Remember to keep all documents that support:

  • the deductibility of your corporation’s or trust’s IFE
  • your determination of any exempt IFE

For more information on your responsibilities and the requirements associated with keeping records, refer to Keeping records.

Related information

Avoiding penalties

Source of the rules

The bill containing the rules received royal assent on June 20, 2024.

The rules are contained in sections 18.2 and 18.21 of the Income Tax Act

and are based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s BEPS Action 4 report.

Source of the rules

The bill containing the rules received royal assent on June 20, 2024.

The rules are contained in sections 18.2 and 18.21 of the Income Tax Act and are based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s BEPS Action 4 report.

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2026-02-05