Tax relief provided since 2006

Tax Relief Provided Since 2006
Budget 2006
Individuals
 Reduced the GST rate to 6% from 7%, effective July 1, 2006.  Reduced lowest personal income tax (PIT) rate to 15.5% from 16%, effective July 1, 2006i.  Increased the basic personal amount to $8,648 from $8,148 for 2005, to $8,839 from $8,428 for 2006, to $8,929 from $8,713 in 2007, to $9,299 from $9,278 in 2008, and to $10,131 from $10,110 in 2009ii.  Introduced the Canada Employment Credit, effective July 1, 2006 (up to $1,000 in 2007, first full  Introduced deduction of cost of tools for tradespeople (up to $500 for costs in excess of $1,000).  Introduced a Textbook Tax Credit (amount up to $65 per month).  Exempted post-secondary scholarship and bursary income from tax.  Introduced Children's Fitness Tax Credit (recognizes up to $500 in eligible fees per child).  Doubled amount of income eligible for the Pension Income Credit to $2,000 from $1,000.  Reduced tax on large corporation dividends (increase gross-up to 45% from 25% and dividend tax  Increased the maximum Refundable Medical Expenses Supplement to $1,000 from $767.  Introduced the Public Transit Tax Credit, effective July 1, 2006.  Eliminated capital gains tax on donations of publicly-listed securities and ecogifts to public charitiesiv.  Extended the $500,000 lifetime capital gains exemption and intergenerational rollover to fishing  Reduced the Right of Permanent Residence Fee to $490 from $975.  Extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2007. Businesses
 Reduced the general corporate income tax rate to 20.5% for 2008, to 20% for 2009 and to 19% for  Eliminated the corporate surtax for all corporations effective 2008.  Increased the income limit for the small business tax rate to $400,000 from $300,000.  Reduced the small business tax rate to 11.5% in 2008 and 11% in 2009; from 12% in 2007vi.  Introduced the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (10% of wages, to maximum credit of $2,000  Increased the cost limit for tools qualifying for 100% capital cost allowance (CCA) to $500 from $200.  Eliminated federal capital tax in 2006 (two years earlier than originally scheduled).  Extended carry-forward periods for non-capital losses and unused investment tax credits (ITCs) to 20  Increased the threshold above which the financial institution capital tax begins to apply to $1 billion  Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment  Reduced the excise duties on certain wines and beer to support vintners and small- and medium-  Repealed the excise tax on jewellery. Tax Fairness Plan 2006
Individuals
 Increased the Age Credit amount by $1,000, to $5,066 from $4,066.  Introduced pension income splitting, effective 2007. Businesses
 Reduced the general corporate income tax rate by 0.5% to 18.5% in 2011viii. Budget 2007
Individuals
 Introduced the Working Income Tax Benefit.  Eliminated the capital gains tax on donations of publicly-listed securities to private foundationsix.  Exempted elementary and secondary school scholarship income from tax*.  Increased the lifetime contribution limit to $50,000 for Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).  Eliminated the RESP annual contribution limit.  Expanded access to RESP savings for part-time studies.  Introduced the Child Tax Credit (initial amount of $2,000).  Increased the spousal and eligible dependant amounts to $8,929 from $7,581.  Extended the Public Transit Tax Credit to electronic and weekly passes used on a regular basis.  Increased the lifetime capital gains exemption to $750,000 from $500,000.  Gradually increased the deduction for meal expenses of truck drivers from 50% of the allowable  Provided more flexibility to employers to offer phased retirement programs*.  Introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), effective 2008.  Increased the age limit for maturing Registered Pension Plans (RPPs) and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) to 71 years of age from 69.  Expanded RRSP qualified investments*.  Broadened the northern residents deduction to include the District Municipality of Mackenzie (British  Increased the 48-hour travellers' exemption to $400 from $200.  Introduced zero-rating for GST/HST purposes for exports of intangible personal propertyxi*.  Extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2008. Businesses
 Introduced temporary 50-percent straight-line accelerated CCA rate for investments in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment for investments undertaken in 2007 and 2008.  Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment to include additional equipment and applications, and also extended the incentive to investments made before 2020.  Reduced the frequency of tax remittances and filings for small businessesxii*.  Introduced a farm savings account (AgriInvest) which includes favourable tax treatment of Government contributions and interest earned in the account.  Aligned the CCA rate with useful life for manufacturing plants (to 10% from 4%), other non-residential buildings (to 6% from 4%), computers (to 55% from 45%), natural gas distribution lines (to 6% from 4%) and liquefied natural gas facilities (to 8% from 4%).  Encouraged the elimination of provincial capital taxes.  Eliminated non-resident withholding tax on arm's length interest paymentsxiii.  Introduced a 25% investment tax credit for child care spaces up to a maximum credit of $10,000 per  Introduced a special additional deduction for the donation of medicines for the developing world.  Introduced GST relief in respect of certain property and services used in the course of foreign conventions held in Canada and the accommodation portion of tour packages for non-residents.  Introduced a tax relief package with respect to the 2010 Olympic Games*. 2007 Economic Statement
Individuals
 Reduced the GST rate to 5% from 6%, effective 2008.  Reduced the lowest PIT rate to 15% from 15.5%.  Increased the basic personal amount to $9,600 from $8,929 for 2007 and to $9,600 from $9,299 for Businesses
 Reduced the general corporate income tax rate to 19.5% from 20.5% for 2008, to 19% from 20% for 2009, to 18% from 19% for 2010, to 16.5% from 18.5% for 2011 and to 15% from 18.5% for 2012xiv.  Reduced the small business rate to 11% from 2008 on; from 11.5% in 2008 and 12% in 2007xv. Budget 2008
Individuals
 Introduced the Tax-Free Savings Account, effective 2009.  Expanded the list of expenses eligible under the Medical Expense Tax Credit.  Extended the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) termination date limits and allowed a six- month grace period for receiving Educational Assistance Payments under an RESPxvi*.  Increased the residency component of the Northern Residents Deduction by 10%.  Extended the capital gains tax exemption to certain donations of exchangeable shares*.  Exempted from GST/HST specially designed training to assist individuals in coping with effects of a disability or disorder; expanded the list of GST/HST-free medical and assistive devices (e.g., service dogs).  Extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2009. Businesses
 Extended the temporary 50-percent straight-line accelerated CCA rate for investments in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment to include investments undertaken in 2009xvii.  Aligned the CCA rate with useful life for railway locomotives (to 30% from 15%), CO2 pipelines (to 8% from 4%) and CO2 pumping and compression equipment (to 15% from 4%).  Improved scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) program by increasing the expenditure limit for the enhanced 35% credit to $3 million from $2 million, and by increasing the phase-out ranges.  Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment  Extended to long term residential care facilities the GST New Residential Rental Property Rebate and GST/HST exempt treatment that applies to residential leases and sales of used residential rental buildings.  Extended GST/HST relief to land leased to situate wind- or solar-power equipment for the production 2008 Economic Statement
Individuals
 Introduced temporary 25% reduction in Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) minimum Budget 2009
Individuals
 Increased the basic personal amount to $10,320 from $10,100 for 2009.  Increased upper limit of the first PIT bracket to $40,726 from $38,832 for 2009xviii.  Increased upper limit of the second PIT bracket to $81,452 from $77,665 for 2009.  Doubled the total tax relief provided by the Working Income Tax Benefit.  Increased the Age Credit amount by $1,000, effective 2009.  Introduced the temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit on expenditures in excess of $1,000, but not  Introduced the First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit, based on an amount of $5,000.  Increased the Home Buyers' Plan withdrawal limit to $25,000 from $20,000.  Introduced tax relief for RRSP post-death losses.  Extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2010. Businesses
 Extended the temporary 50-percent straight-line accelerated CCA rate for investments in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment to include investments undertaken in 2010 and 2011xix.  Introduced a temporary two-year 100% accelerated CCA rate for computers.  Increased the income limit for the small business tax rate to $500,000 from $400,000.  Repealed Section 18.2 (Interest Deductibility)xx.  Simplified how GST/HST is applied to direct sellers employing a commission-based model (i.e., network sellers), effective in respect of fiscal years of network sellers beginning after 2009*. Budget 2010
Individuals
 Improved the taxation of the Universal Child Care Benefit for single parentsxxi.  Allowed a rollover of a deceased individual's RRSP/RRIF proceeds to an RDSPxxii.  Improved the allocation of child benefits between parents who share custody of a childxxiii*.  Introduced special relief for tax deferral elections on stock options.  Reinstated the 50-per-cent inclusion rate for Canadian residents who have been in receipt of U.S. Social Security benefits since before January 1, 1996.  Reduced the administrative burden on charities by eliminating several disbursement quota  Extended the mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2011. Businesses
 Aligned CCA rate with useful life for TV set-top boxes (to 40% from 20% for satellite set-top boxes and to 40% from 30% for cable set-top boxes).  Eliminated tax reporting under section 116 of the Income Tax Act for many investments.  Extended the time limits in certain situations for refunds of amounts withheld under section 116 of the Income Tax Act and section 105 of the Income Tax Regulations.  Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment  Introduced a “safety mechanism” for network sellers to further simplify the GST/HST for the direct selling industry, effective in respect of fiscal years of network sellers beginning after 2009*.  Introduced legislation to allow small excise remitters to file and remit semi-annually rather than monthly as part of the Paper Burden Reduction Initiative*. Budget 2011
Individuals
 Introduced the Children’s Arts Tax Credit for up to $500 per child in eligible fees and an additional $500 non-refundable amount for DTC-eligible children.  Introduced a Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit, based on an amount of $3,000 for volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 service hours.  Introduced a Family Caregiver Tax Credit, based on an amount of $2,000 for caregivers of infirm  Removed the $10,000 limit that applies on the amount that caregivers can claim under the Medical Expense Tax Credit on behalf of certain dependants.  Eliminated the one-per-household rule for the Child Tax Credit*.  Included professional or trade examination fees in the definition of eligible tuition for the Tuition Tax  Reduced the minimum duration requirement that Canadian students studying at foreign universities must meet to claim the Tuition, Education and Textbook Tax Credits or receive Educational Assistance Payments from RESPs.  Provided subscribers of separate individual RESPs with the same flexibility to allocate assets among siblings as exists for subscribers of family plans*.  Increased flexibility to access RDSPs for beneficiaries with shortened life expectancies*.  Ensured that the new Agri-Québec program is accorded the same tax treatment that is currently provided to the federal AgriInvest program.  Extended the mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2012. Businesses
 Extended the temporary 50-percent straight-line accelerated CCA rate for investments in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment to include investments undertaken in 2012 and 2013.  Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment  Extended Qualifying Environmental Trust rules to pipelines. Budget 2012
Individuals
 Expanded the list of eligible expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit to include blood coagulation monitoring devices and their disposable peripherals*.  Exempted from the GST/HST pharmacists’ non-dispensing services; expanded the list of GST/HST- free drugs and medical and assistive devices to include the drug “Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate” and blood coagulation monitoring devices; and added to the list of health professionals on whose order certain medical and assistive devices are GST/HST free, generally effective March 30, 2012*.  Allowed parents, spouses, and common-law partners to open RDSPs for an adult individual who might not be able to enter into a contract*.  Allowed investment income earned in a RESP to be rolled over on a tax-free basis to an RDSP*.  Provided more flexibility for RDSPs to remain open for beneficiaries who cease to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit in certain circumstances.  Increased the maximum withdrawal limits that apply to certain RDSPs.  Extended the mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2013.  Reduced taxes on foreign-based rental vehicles temporarily imported by Canadian residents,  Increased the 24-hour travellers' exemption to $200 from $50 and increased the 48-hour travellers' Businesses
 Expanded eligibility for the accelerated CCA for clean energy generation and conservation equipment  Improved the neutrality of the Atlantic Investment Tax Credit by including in qualified property certain electricity generation equipment and clean energy generation equipment used primarily in an eligible activity (i.e., farming, fishing, logging, and manufacturing and processing).  Eliminated double taxation under the thin capitalization rules of Canadian corporations receiving  Allowed prescribed literacy organizations to claim a rebate of GST on books to be given away,  Doubled the GST/HST streamlined accounting thresholds, effective in respect of GST/HST reporting Budget 2013
Individuals
 Enhanced the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to better recognize the costs of adopting a child.  Introduced a new temporary First-Time Donor’s Super Credit to encourage all young Canadians  Expanded tax relief for home care services under the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax to better meet the health care needs of Canadians.  Increased the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to $800,000 and indexed the new limit to inflation.  Extended the mineral exploration tax credit to March 31, 2014. Businesses
 Extended the temporary 50-percent straight-line accelerated CCA rate for investments in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment to include investments undertaken in 2014 and 2015.  Expanded accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation equipment to include a  Doubled the restricted farm loss deduction limit. Off-Budget Tax Relief
 Eliminated the excise duty on Canadian wine and provide excise duty relief to all Canadian brewers, announced June 28, 2006 and effective July 1, 2006.  Enhanced the child fitness tax credit for children with disabilities by increasing the age limit from under 16 to under 18 years of age and introducing an additional $500 non-refundable amount for DTC-eligible children, announced on December 19, 2006.  Exempted the GST/HST for midwifery services, announced December 28, 2006*.  Introduced a new single rebate system for GST/HST paid on any expenses relating to pension plans, similar to the multi-employer pension plan rebate, for all employer-sponsored pension trusts, announced on January 26, 2007.  Eliminated the tobacco manufacturer’s surtax for tobacco processors, announced February 2, 2007.  Extended carry-forward period for unused investment tax credits earned by Canadian businesses in the 1998 to 2005 taxation years to 20 taxation years from 10 taxation years, announced January 21, 2008.  Improved tax treatment of debt denominated in a foreign currency, announced March 7, 2008.  Extended the 2008 deadline for RDSP contributions, announced on December 23, 2008.  Introduced modifications to the provisions relating to amateur athletic trusts, announced on December  Extended the Drought Regions Measure to Flood Regions, announced March 5, 2009.  Extended the deadline for certain financial institutions to file their GST/HST returns from 3 to 6 months, announced on September 23, 2009*.  Increased the pension surplus threshold for defined benefit Registered Pension Plans to 25% from  Improved the tax treatment of employee life and health trusts, announced on February 26, 2010xxiv.  Relieved certain investment plans from the obligation to file the GST/HST Annual Information Return for Financial Institutions, effective July 1, 2010*.  Extended the tax credit in respect of Employment Insurance premiums paid by self-employed individuals, as announced by press release August 27, 2010.  Introduced GST relief for Royal Canadian Legion purchases of Remembrance Day poppies and wreaths, announced on October 28, 2010*.  Announced modifications to accommodate improvements to the Saskatchewan Pension Plan on  Relieved the GST/HST on the service of collecting and distributing the levy on blank media imposed under the Copyright Act announced on October 31, 2011*.  Increased the portion of a terminating member’s pension commuted value transferable to an RRSP where the promised pension benefits have been reduced due to an insolvent employer’s underfunding of the plan, in 2011.  Implemented the income tax rules for Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) on December 14, 2012 (like RPPs and RRSPs, PRPPs will be tax-assisted plans).  Permitted income from a Retirement Compensation Arrangement to be eligible for pension income splitting, subject to specified conditions, effective for the 2013 and subsequent tax years. i 15% from January 1, 2005; 15.5% from July 1, 2006 (i.e., average rate of 15.25% for 2006 taxation year). ii For 2006, $9,039 for first half of the year and $8,639 for the second half of the year, for an annual average of $8,839. Increases for 2007 to 2009 were modified as a result of the 2007 Economic Statement; $9,600 for 2007 and 2008, and $10,100 for 2009. The basic personal amount for 2009 was increased to $10,320 for 2009 in Budget 2009. iii $500 effective July 1, 2006 ($250 for the year). $1,000 for 2007 and indexed for subsequent tax years. iv Measure also applies to donations by corporations. v The 2007 Economic Statement superseded this Budget 2006 announcement with a new schedule of CIT rate reductions. vi 0.5 point reduction to 11.5% January 1, 2008, 0.5 point reduction to 11% January 1, 2009. The 2007 Economic Statement superseded this Budget 2006 announcement, reducing the rate to 11% January 1, 2008. vii Applies to losses incurred and credits earned in taxation years that end after 2005. viii The 2007 Economic Statement superseded this announcement with a new schedule of CIT rate reductions. ix Measure also applies to donations by corporations x Measure is being phased in. Deductible portion of meals increases to 60% on or after March 19, 2007, 65% in 2008, 70% in 2009, 75% in 2010, and 80% in 2011 and subsequent years. xi Zero-rating will apply to supplies made after March 19, 2007, and supplies made on or before March 19, 2007 if GST/HST was neither charged nor collected in respect of the supply. xii The quarterly instalments of corporate income tax and the increased corporate income tax payable threshold are available in respect of corporate taxation years that begin after 2007. Increased the taxable supplies threshold, at or below which a registrants can file a GST/HST return annually and increased the net tax threshold, below which annual GST/HST filers can make one remittance; these are in respect of fiscal years that begin after 2007. xiii Interest payments to unrelated (arm’s length) persons became exempt from withholding tax as of January 1st, 2008 while an exemption from withholding tax for interest payments to non-arm’s length U.S. persons was phased in between 2008 and 2010 under the most recent Canada-U.S protocol. xiv The 2007 Economic Statement measure superseded the Budget 2006 and Tax Fairness Plan announcements of a phased-in reduction in the general CIT rate. The statutory rate reductions are relative to the schedule announced in Budget 2006 and the Tax Fairness Plan. xv The 2007 Economic Statement measure superseded the Budget 2006 announcement of a phased-in reduction in the small business tax rate. xvi Rules apply to RESP transactions occurring after 2007, for plans in existence on January 1, 2008 or established after that date. xvii Eligible assets acquired in 2010 would generally have been eligible for a 50% declining-balance rate in the first taxation year ending after the assets are acquired, a 40% declining-balance rate in the following taxation year and the regular 30% declining balance rate thereafter. Eligible assets acquired in 2011 would generally have been eligible for a 40% declining-balance rate in the first taxation year ending after the assets are acquired and the regular 30% declining-balance treatment thereafter. xviii Increases to the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), the National Child Benefit supplement (NCBs) and the Canada Learning Bond instalments result from the legislative link between the NCBs phase-out and the upper limit of the lowest PIT bracket. Consequential changes were also made to the family income thresholds used to determine eligibility for Canada Education Savings Grants, Canada Disability Savings Grants, and Canada Disability Savings Bonds to ensure that these thresholds correspond to the income tax brackets. These changes were included in Budget 2010 and apply to the 2009 and subsequent contribution years. xix A 50% straight-line accelerated CCA treatment will apply in lieu of the accelerated declining basis CCA introduced in Budget 2008 (note 14) for assets acquired in 2010 and 2011. xx This provision was introduced by the Government in 2007. xxi A single parent has the option of including the aggregate Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) amount received, in respect of all of his or her children, in the parent’s income or in the income of the dependant for whom an Eligible Dependant Credit is claimed. xxii Where the death of an RRSP annuitant occurs after 2007 and before 2011, special transitional rules allow for a result that is generally equivalent to the rollover measure. xxiii To improve the allocation of child benefits between parents who share custody of a child, measures introduced in Budget 2010 allow two eligible individuals to receive the CCTB and UCCB amounts in a particular month, and two eligible individuals to receive GST/HST credit amounts in respect of a particular quarter. Each eligible individual can receive one-half of the annual entitlement that they would receive if they were the sole eligible individual. xxiv The employee life and health trust rules allow amounts paid to employees and retirees from an "employee life and health trust" to be deducted in computing the trust's income. At the same time, the benefits receive the same tax treatment (generally tax-free) in the hands of employees as if they had been paid directly by the employer. If the trust's costs (including payments to employees) exceed its revenue for a particular year, the excess is treated as a business loss for the trust, subject to a special three-year carry back and carry forward mechanism. *These measures have no significant cost to Government.

Source: http://www.loisbrown.ca/media/Tax%20Relief%20Provided%20Since%202006%20TO%202013.pdf