返佣是地产行业的 common practice, 近几年很常见。佣金是地产经纪的服务所得,本该全部纳入个人口袋,但由于行业的恶性竞争,为得到一单生意,经纪被迫拿出一定比例的佣金返还给客户,以此吸引更多生意,实在是无奈之举。
地产经纪为自家买卖房子,佣金通常以直接形式或间接形式发生:
- 直接佣金(direct commission) – 经纪费照常进地产公司 trust account,再由公司按和该经纪的 split 进行分配;
- 间接佣金 (reduction of price) – 将佣金直接做进房子的买卖合同,降低房子售价。
国有国法,家有家规,这句用在这里很合适。同一件事我站在不同立场上看,结果有可能不尽相同。
先看”家规“ – 地产行规怎样看返佣
Real Estate Council of Ontario – RECO 对返佣有规定:
When advertising a commission rebate, the terms of the rebate must be clearly stated. For example, the advertisement must include the amount of the rebate and when it is to be paid. If there are any restrictions, conditions or limitations on the rebate, they must be clearly specified. As with any advertisement, it cannot be false, misleading, or deceptive.
Commission rebates are a legitimate marketing tool and a way for registrants to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. However, registrants have a duty to ensure that the promotion, documentation and delivery of the rebate comply with REBBA 2002. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action. In addition, brokerages may establish their own policies and rules regarding rebates over and above REBBA 2002 requirements.
Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002) 是地产经纪的行业法规,既然叫”Act“, 表示已经成为法律法条,经纪个人和经纪公司必须遵守。
REBBA对经纪返佣是这样规定的:
COMPENSATION TO A BUYER OR SELLER
May be permitted with respect to the transaction they are involved in
Compensation in the form of a commission reduction, rebate, or other incentive is permitted only to a person with respect to the transaction to which they are a party. For more information, see the Registrar’s Bulletins entitled Commission rebates to clients and customers and Commission reduction agreements.
REBBA强调,返佣对象必须是交易中的一方。按照这个规定,经纪给自家买卖房,经纪本人属于交易中的一方,返佣是允许的。
再看”国法“ – CRA怎样看返佣
无论佣金以哪种形式体现,均为经纪个人的 business income,地产公司须把这笔佣金照常计入经纪个人的T4A。
无论房子是自用还是投资,作为 purchasing agent 和 listing agent 所得佣金须照常计入T4A报收入。
若经纪个人常规的生意模式习惯性给客户返还一定比例的佣金,返佣是为了赚取生意收入而发生、并且金额合理、有凭证,从Income Tax Act 的角度来看,就是合理的生意费用,可以抵扣。
给自家买卖房子的地产经纪有着双重身份,既是交易的一方,又是中介。作为中介将佣金的一部分返给交易的一方 – 符合commission rebate,可以抵扣。
但是由于双重身份比较敏感,建议地产经纪给自家返佣的比例须和对待其他客户一致。
比如大卫今年做了8单,其中1单是给自家买房。另外7单按照”行业习惯“ 给客户分别返还30%的佣金,那么自家这一单可按同比例返佣。
通常给其他客户返佣,大卫的常规操作是从生意账户开出支票一张, 写明commission rebate, 备注客户名字以及房屋地址,客户存支票,大卫这边银行划账;返佣给自家,要以同样处理方式,给支票、存、银行走账。保留全套记录备查。
马云, Carol Ma, 加拿大特许专业会计师。2006 – 2014年就职于加拿大联邦税务局(CRA),先后担任中小企业税务审计部 (Audit Division)地下经济审计官; 重案调查部 (Investigation/Enforcement Division)特殊犯罪收入调查官;税案申诉部(Appeals Division)税务申诉裁决官。2014年加盟 Tax Solutions Canada 出任 Tax Manager,2015成立 JKtax 马云会计师事务所。办公电话 905-940-1999;传真 905-683-7979;邮件 admin@jktax.ca;办公室微信 jktax-vivian.