Canada's Economic Action Plan

Building On an Impressive Record of Tax Relief

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In challenging economic times, tax reductions are an essential part of the Government's effort to stimulate the economy in the short-term. Reducing taxes also helps build a solid foundation for future economic growth, more jobs, and higher living standards for Canadians.

Budget 2009 proposes $20 billion in new personal income tax relief over 2008–09 and the following five fiscal years. These measures will provide:

• Immediate personal income tax relief, particularly for low-to middle-income Canadians.
• Tax support for home owners and first-time home buyers.

These measures reinforce the Government's strong record of tax relief.

Budget 2009 proposes measures that will help Canadian businesses surmount this challenging economic period by stimulating business investment.

Actions taken by the Government since 2006, including those proposed in Budget 2009, will reduce taxes for individuals, families and businesses by an estimated $220 billion over 2008–09 and the following five fiscal years.

Tax Relief for Canadians

Personal Income Tax Relief for All Taxpayers

Budget 2009 proposes to increase the basic personal amount and the upper limit of the two lowest personal income tax brackets by 7.5 per cent above their 2008 levels, effective January 1, 2009.

• The basic personal amount will be increased to $10,320 in 2009, allowing individuals to earn more income before paying federal income tax.
• The upper limit of the first personal income tax bracket will be increased to $40,726 in 2009, allowing more income to be taxed at the lowest 15-per-cent rate, rather than the 22-per-cent rate.
• The upper limit of the second personal income tax bracket will be increased to $81,452 in 2009, allowing more income to be taxed at the 22-per-cent rate, rather than the 26-per-cent rate.

Normal indexation will apply to the new basic personal amount and bracket thresholds.

Taxpayers will begin to benefit from the proposed personal income tax reductions as soon as the Canada Revenue Agency revises its tax withholding tables, in spring 2009.

Increasing the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Canada Child Tax Benefit

Budget 2009 proposes to allow low-income families to earn an additional $1,894 and still receive the maximum National Child Benefit supplement.

Families will also be able to earn an additional $1,894 before their National Child Benefit supplement is fully phased out or before their Canada Child Tax Benefit base benefit begins to be phased out.

These increases will result in additional benefits of up to $436 for a low-income family with two children.

Enhancing the Working Income Tax Benefit

The Government introduced the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) in Budget 2007 to help ensure that low-income Canadians are financially better off by obtaining employment. For low-income Canadians, working can often mean paying higher taxes and receiving less income support.

Building on this important first step, Budget 2009 proposes to enhance the tax relief provided by the WITB by $580 million for 2009 and subsequent years, effectively doubling total tax relief through the WITB.

Increasing the Age Credit Amount

To provide further tax relief to seniors, Budget 2009 proposes to increase the Age Credit amount by $1,000, effective January 1, 2009.

This will benefit 2.2 million seniors who will now be eligible to receive up to $961 of annual tax savings under the Age Credit.

The increase in the Age Credit amount builds on the significant tax relief provided since 2006 for seniors and pensioners, including:

• Doubling the pension income credit amount (from $1,000 to $2,000).
• A $1,000 increase in the Age Credit amount in 2006.
• The introduction of pension income splitting in 2007.
• An increase in the previous 2007 maturation age limit for pensions and Registered Retirement Savings Plans from 69 to 71.

Together, these measures provide about $1.9 billion annually in tax relief to seniors and pensioners.

Tax Support for Homeownership and the Housing Sector

A robust housing sector encourages growth by increasing demand for Canadian tradespeople, building materials and other goods and services. Budget 2009 proposes three tax measures to help Canadians purchase and improve their homes.

The Home Renovation Tax Credit

Budget 2009 proposes to implement a temporary 15-per-cent Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) to provide some $3 billion in tax relief to an estimated 4.6 million Canadian families. The HRTC will encourage investments in Canada's housing stock, provide employment for tradespeople and boost sales for those who make and sell building products.

The HRTC will apply to eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered into after January 27, 2009.

The 15-per-cent credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000 but not more than $10,000, and will provide up to $1,350 in tax relief.

The HRTC can be claimed by homeowners for renovations and enduring alterations to a dwelling, or the land on which it sits.

A dwelling will generally be considered eligible for the credit if it is used for personal purposes, such as a house, cottage and condominium unit.

Additional information on the Home Renovation Tax Credit will soon be available on the Canada Revenue Agency's website at (www.cra.gc.ca).

Home Buyers' Plan Withdrawal Limit

To provide first-time home buyers with additional access to their RRSP savings to purchase or build a home, Budget 2009 proposes to increase the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit to $25,000 from $20,000.

This is the first increase in the withdrawal limit since the HBP was introduced in 1992.

First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit

To assist first-time home buyers with the costs related to the purchase of a home, Budget 2009 proposes to introduce a First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit. A 15-per-cent credit will be applied to a $5,000 amount, and will provide up to $750 in tax relief to reduce the costs associated with first home purchases completed after January 27, 2009.

Tax Relief to Stimulate Business Investment

Budget 2009 builds on the significant business tax relief provided since 2006.

Businesses will benefit this year from previously legislated reductions in the corporate income tax rate to 19 per cent in 2009, and going forward, the further reductions to 15 per cent by 2012.

The measures set out below will help Canadian businesses emerge stronger and better equipped to compete globally as the economy recovers.

Reducing Taxes for Small Businesses

The tax system helps small businesses retain more of their earnings for reinvestment, expansion and job creation through the reduced federal income tax rate of 11 per cent on the first $400,000 of qualifying income earned by a Canadian-controlled private corporation.

To further support the growth of small businesses, Budget 2009 proposes to increase to $500,000 the amount of small business income eligible for the 11-per-cent tax rate.

Extending Assistance for Canada's Manufacturing and Processing Sector

Budget 2009 provides further assistance for Canada's manufacturing and processing sector by extending the temporary 50-per-cent straight-line accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) rate to investment in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment in 2010 and 2011.

This will further assist the manufacturing and processing sector in restructuring and retooling to meet the current economic challenges and position itself for long-term success.

Temporary 100-Per-Cent Capital Cost Allowance Rate for Computers

In light of the economic slowdown, Budget 2009 proposes a two-year 100-per-cent CCA rate for computers acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2011. This will allow businesses to fully expense their investment in computers in one year. Businesses in all sectors of the economy, including the service sector, will benefit from this initiative, which will contribute to boosting Canada's productivity through the faster adoption of newer technology.

Encouraging Mineral Exploration

The temporary 15-per-cent mineral exploration tax credit helps companies raise capital by providing an incentive to individuals who invest in flow-through shares issued to finance exploration. Budget 2009 proposes to extend the credit for an additional year, until March 31, 2010 to assist companies' efforts to undertake important exploration programs and facilitate adjustment to new commodity price conditions.

How Can I Get More Information?

Information is available at www.fin.gc.ca

Copies of this brochure are available from the
Department of Finance or Service Canada:

Department of Finance Canada
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Room P-135, West Tower
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Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: 613-995-2855
Fax: 613-996-0518

Service Canada
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