Budget 2015 Highlights

On April 21, 2015, Finance Minister Joe Oliver tabled his first federal budget.  The provisions of the budget will be of particular interest to owners of small and medium sized businesses, seniors and families with children.  As well, those looking to make certain charitable donations will be encouraged by Oliver’s budget.

Below is a brief commentary on each of the key budget proposals.

For Seniors and Savers

Increase in Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) Limit

• Effective January 1, 2015 the annual contribution limit has been increased from $5,500 to $10,000;
• As a consequence, the automatic indexing of the annual contribution limit has been eliminated;
• On April 24, the CRA announced that even though this provision is not law as yet, they will allow increased deposits to a TFSA effective immediately.

Reduction in RRIF Minimum Withdrawals

Original guidelines set in 1992, called for a minimum withdrawal percentage from a RRIF at age 71 of 7.38% increasing to 20% from age 94 onwards. Also, in 1992, the nominal rate of return of RRIF assets was set at 7% and indexed at 1% annually;

• Under the 2015 Budget, the new withdrawal factor at age 71 will be 5.28 % increasing to 20% at age 95 and over;
• Also, the nominal rate of return on RRIF assets will be set at 5% and 2% indexing;

As a result of these changes, individuals taking the minimum required withdrawal at 71 and beyond will see greater capital preservation in their RRIF.  This can be illustrated in the following table:

Notes:

1. For an individual 71 years of age at the start of 2015 with $100,000 in RRIF capital making the required minimum RRIF withdrawal each year.
2. Age 71 capital preserved at older ages is expressed in terms of the real (or constant) dollar value of the capital (i.e. the value of the capital adjusted for inflation after age 71). The calculations assume a 5% nominal rate of return on RRIF assets and 2% inflation.

Source – Conference of Advanced Life Underwriters (CALU) Special Report, April 2015.

Home Accessibility Tax Credit

• Once implemented, will provide up to $1,500 in tax relief for qualifying individuals (mainly seniors and disabled persons) making accessibility and safety related home improvements to their principal residence. 

For Business Owners

Small Business Tax Rate

• For the first $500,000 per year of qualifying active business income, the current small business deduction reduces the federal corporate income tax rate to 11%
• Under Budget 2015, there will be a 2% decrease in the small business tax rate which is to be phased in over the next 4 years at a rate of 0.5% per year.

Dividend Tax Credit For Non-eligible Dividends

• Under Budget 2015, proposals call for a change in the gross up and dividend tax credit rate in conjunction with the proposed reduction in the small business rate;
• This measure will have the effect of reducing taxes for small businesses and their owners over the next four taxation years.

Increase in Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption for Qualified Farming or Fishing Property

• The Budget proposes that on or after April 21, 2015, the LCGE for capital gains realized on qualified farm or fish property is increased to $1,000,000 (currently $813,000).

For Families

Included in the Budget but previously announced:

• The Family Tax Cut will allow couples with children under the age of 18 to split their incomes for a tax credit of up to $2,000;
• The Universal Child Care Benefit proposal increases the benefit to $160 per month for children under the age of six and provides a new benefit of $60 per month for children ages 6 to 17.
• The children’s fitness tax credit has been doubled. 

Other Proposed Measures

Donations involving Private Shares or Real Estate

In the past, CRA has had concerns with donations involving private company shares and property being valued appropriately.

• Budget 2015 proposes to exempt individual and corporate donors from tax on the sale of private shares or real estate to an arm’s length party, provided the cash proceeds are donated to a registered charity within 30 days.
• If implemented, this will take effect in 2016.

Simplification of Form T1135 Reporting

This form which deals with the reporting of foreign property has proven to be extremely onerous for the individuals, corporations and trusts who are obligated to file it.

• For taxation years that begin after 2014 the form will be significantly simplified.

Registered Disability Savings Plan

In 2012, the government had announced that for those individuals who did not have the capacity to enter into such arrangements, a qualifying family member could temporarily become a planholder.

• Budget 2015 extends the temporary period from December 31, 2016 until December 31, 2018.

New Anti-Avoidance Rules – Tax Avoidance of Corporate Capital Gains

• Budget 2015 contains proposed amendments to Section 55 of the Act, which exists to prevent conversion of corporate capital gains to tax-free intercorporate dividends.
• These new amendments will be applicable to dividends paid after April 20, 2015. 

Budget 2015 is a document consisting of over 500 pages, so there are many more elements than what is discussed here.  The budget proposals included here are the main ones that may have the most impact on your planning.

If you require assistance in determining if your personal or corporate planning will be affected, please call me and I will be happy to assist.

Also, please feel free to use the sharing buttons to forward this article to anyone you feel would benefit.

Sources cited in this article:

• CPA Canada Federal Budget Commentary – 2015
• CALU Special Report – April 2015
• Canada Revenue Agency – Website News