Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Sched3, adjusted cost base, and Canadian capital gains tax software.

About Sched3

What is Sched3?

Sched3 is Canadian capital gains tax software that computes your CRA-compliant adjusted cost base (ACB) across all brokers and accounts. It automates superficial-loss detection, T5008 reconciliation, T3/ETF return-of-capital adjustments, foreign currency conversion at Bank of Canada rates (USD, EUR, GBP and 20+ more), and produces Schedule 3-ready tax packages.

How is Sched3 different from my broker's reported ACB?

Brokers only see what happened inside their own accounts. If you've ever transferred shares, DRIPed, held the same security at two brokers, or traded in USD, your broker's book value is usually wrong. The CRA expects a pooled, weighted-average cost base across ALL identical shares regardless of which account holds them. Sched3 computes that correct number.

Who is Sched3 for?

Canadian investors with taxable (non-registered) brokerage accounts — anyone who needs to report capital gains or losses on their tax return. Also accountants who prepare returns for clients with investment portfolios.

Is this tax or legal advice?

No. Sched3 organizes and calculates based on the CRA's rules as we understand them, but it doesn't replace a qualified accountant — especially for anything ambiguous like whether your trading activity constitutes business income.

Features

What is a superficial loss, and how does Sched3 detect it?

If you sell at a loss and buy the same security back within 30 calendar days (before or after), in any account you or an affiliated person controls, the CRA denies the loss and adds it to your ACB. Sched3 automatically flags these across all your accounts and shows you the safe rebuy date.

What is T5008 reconciliation?

Your broker sends the CRA a T5008 slip for each disposition, reporting the proceeds and sometimes the cost. These numbers are often incomplete or wrong (blank cost, wrong book value from transfers). Sched3 matches each T5008 line to your calculated ACB and flags mismatches so you can report the correct numbers on Schedule 3.

How does Sched3 handle ETF return of capital and phantom distributions?

Sched3 maintains per-fund Canadian distribution data. When your ETF pays a return of capital (T3 box 42), Sched3 reduces your ACB automatically. Phantom distributions (reinvested internally by the fund) that should increase your ACB are also applied. You do not need to look up T3 slips or enter adjustments manually.

Does Sched3 handle USD trades?

Yes. Every USD trade is converted to CAD using the Bank of Canada noon rate for that specific trade date — the conversion method the CRA expects. You do not need to look up rates yourself.

Can Sched3 handle crypto?

Yes. The Active Investor plan includes crypto with pooled ACB per coin, crypto-to-crypto swaps treated as dispositions (CRA-compliant), and everything valued in CAD.

Does Sched3 support RSUs, ESPPs, and stock options?

Yes. The Active Investor plan sets cost base correctly at vest (RSU), exercise (options), or purchase (ESPP), preventing the common double-tax error where the employment benefit amount is not included in ACB.

Brokers & Data

Which brokers are supported?

Wealthsimple, Questrade, Interactive Brokers (IBKR), TD Direct Investing, RBC Direct Investing, and National Bank Direct Brokerage are supported with auto-mapped CSV import. If your broker exports a different format, you can adjust the column mapping manually.

How do I get my data into Sched3?

Export your transaction history or activity report from your broker as a CSV file, then upload it to Sched3. The column mapping is automatic for supported brokers. There is no connection to your brokerage account — it's file upload only.

Can I import my full history, including past years?

Yes. You can import the full history from account opening, or start from a dated opening snapshot of your known shares and total ACB in Canadian dollars, then import only later activity. Sched3 prevents overlapping pre-snapshot rows from being counted twice.

Is my data secure?

Yes. All data is encrypted at rest with AES-256 and in transit with TLS. Every database query is scoped to your account through row-level security — your data is invisible to other users at the database level. There is no direct connection to your brokerage account; we work only with file uploads. We are PIPEDA compliant and actively working toward SOC 2 Type II certification. Read more on our security page.

Pricing & Plans

How much does Sched3 cost?

Free forever: manual entry, 1 broker import (100 tx), basic ACB, CSV export. Investor: $49/year — broker import, superficial-loss detection, FX, splits & DRIPs. Active Investor: $129/year — full tax stack including T5008, T3, traded options, crypto, RSU, corporate actions and an accountant package. Accountants and firms use a separate early-access track.

Is the Free plan actually free?

Yes — unlimited manual entry, one broker import of up to 100 transactions, basic ACB, and CSV export, forever. All 20 calculators and 58 guides are free without even creating an account.

Can I cancel or downgrade?

Yes. Plans renew annually; you can downgrade to Free at renewal and keep read access to your historical reports. Nothing is deleted.

Do you charge per tax year like crypto tax tools?

No — one subscription covers all your history and every tax year, including amended or late filings for prior years.

What happens if I upgrade mid-year?

Upgrades take effect immediately — all your existing data is re-processed with the new plan's features. For example, superficial-loss checks run over your full history, not just new trades.

Comparisons

How does Sched3 compare to AdjustedCostBase.ca?

Both compute correct pooled ACB. AdjustedCostBase.ca is manual-entry first — you type each transaction and it keeps the running average. Sched3 imports broker files directly and automates the edge cases: superficial losses, T5008 reconciliation, ETF adjustments, FX conversion. Sched3 Investor ($49/yr) is the same price as AdjustedCostBase.ca Premium.

How does Sched3 compare to Sharesight?

Sharesight is a performance/returns tracker that also produces a Canadian tax report. Sched3 is a Canadian tax engine — superficial losses, T5008 matching, T3/ETF adjustments are the core product. Sched3 Active ($129/yr) includes features Sharesight doesn't offer, at roughly half Sharesight's $216+/yr price.

How does Sched3 compare to Koinly?

Koinly specializes in crypto and charges per tax year ($49-199 per year). Sched3 covers crypto AND stocks, ETFs, RSUs, options, corporate actions in one $129/yr subscription that covers all tax years.

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Not tax or legal advice. Always confirm capital gains reporting with a qualified accountant. · Made with love in Canada 🇨🇦
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