Many Canadians are just trying to get through the week, never mind the year, when it comes to their finances.
But accountants say itB次元官网网址檚 already time to start taking stock of government support and wages received since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Launched in March, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides workers who lost their jobs or most of their hours with $500 per week. Most employers deduct taxes from the paycheque before mailing it out, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not the case with the CERB.
B次元官网网址淢y first piece of advice is people should be aware these are taxable benefits,B次元官网网址� said Fred OB次元官网网址橰iordan, national tax policy leader at Ernst & Young. B次元官网网址淯ltimately they are going to be responsible for having received them and for declaring them.B次元官网网址�
That means Ottawa and the provinces will claw back some of the $61.3 billion in CERB paid to 8.4 million Canadians as of July 19.
It also means recipients who took in the full amount available from the CERB B次元官网网址� $12,000, at $500 per week between March 15 and Oct. 3 for up to 12 weeks B次元官网网址� could owe taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency if they had even a small amount of other paid work this year.
Anyone who qualifies for the CERB but earns less than the B次元官网网址渂asic personal amount,B次元官网网址� which Ottawa is raising to $13,229 from $12,069 for 2020 B次元官网网址� does not have to pay tax, including on their CERB instalments.
Incomes under $48,536 but above the basic personal amount will be taxed at 15 per cent B次元官网网址� the lowest income tax rate for 2020 B次元官网网址� including CERB payments. On a total CERB payment of $12,000, about $1,800 would be owing to Ottawa.
B次元官网网址淥bviously if youB次元官网网址檙e in receipt of this money, youB次元官网网址檙e in some financial pain already. And itB次元官网网址檚 not easy to save up money to make sure that if thereB次元官网网址檚 tax owing when you file next that youB次元官网网址檙e in a position to pay it,B次元官网网址� said OB次元官网网址橰iordan.
He emphasized the need to start planning now, particularly as the provinces plan to retrieve their cut as well.
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In Ontario and British Columbia, a taxpayer earning less than $44,741 or $41,725 respectively will owe the province about $600 on a $12,000 benefit. Albertans earning under $131,220 would owe $1,200 while low-income Quebecers would have to pay $1,800.
Canadians out of a job due to the pandemic and who made less than $1,000 per month at any point since mid-March qualify for a CERB payment (provided they made at least $5,000 last year), but if earnings crossed that monthly threshold without their realizing or declaring it, they may have received CERB monies they were not eligible for.
B次元官网网址淭here really werenB次元官网网址檛 many controls at the front of this. Generally, people who have applied have received it.,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橰iordan said.
B次元官网网址淪ome people will be tempted if theyB次元官网网址檝e received money that they donB次元官网网址檛 qualify for to sort of play the lottery game. But I would never recommend that, because itB次元官网网址檚 pretty simple for the agency, through its algorithms, to determine whether people are eligible or not.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橰iordan suggested informing the CRA of any extra payments before Dec. 31.
For those concerned about not being able to pay their taxes, experts recommend contacting the CRA to work out a payment plan.
B次元官网网址淵ou might be in a lower tax bracket now B次元官网网址� so itB次元官网网址檚 important to do those estimates to know how much you need to set aside,B次元官网网址� said Joseph Micallef, a tax partner at KPMG based in Toronto.
On the other hand, Canadians who have lost out on expected income for part of the year may be eligible for child credits or GST/HST credits they would not have qualified for previously.
Another option is to plan for a deduction based on RRSP contributions, but the deferred tax would likely not amount to much, said Montreal-based tax specialist Omar Yassine.
B次元官网网址淚n my opinion, if a taxpayer has seen their income decrease significantly due to COVID-19 they should not use part of the unused RRSP contributions for 2020.B次元官网网址�
Small business owners who have permanently closed shop still have tax obligations and must file in April for 2020-21, Yassine noted. But operational losses can be applied against taxable income for the past three years, which could result in a tax refund.
Business owners who have filed for bankruptcy should consult accountants or tax specialists, he said.
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit, available to post-secondary students and recent graduates of high school, college and university, is also taxable, but deductibles and credits for tuition, textbook and moving living expenses can significantly reduce taxable income.
On Monday, the CRA further extended the payment due date for 2019 tax returns to Sept. 30 from Sept. 1, 2020.
Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
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