Regina, Saskatchewan - Canada Revenue Agency
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, celebrated Family Day in Regina today. Minister Findlay marked the second week of tax-filing season by highlighting the Government of Canada’s tax relief and benefit measures for families.
Last fall, to better meet the needs of families, the Harper Government introduced a new family tax cut as well as increases to the universal child care benefit and the child care expenses deduction. These measures build on a broad array of benefits and tax credits implemented since 2006 to help keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Canadian families.
Quick facts
- The new family tax cut is a non-refundable credit of up to $2,000 for couples with children under the age of 18, and will take effect starting with the 2014 tax year.
- The universal child care benefit (UCCB) will increase to $160 per month for children under the age of 6, starting on January 1, 2015. Payments of the additional amount and expanded amount will start in July 2015. Parents will now receive $1,920 per child, per year.
- UCCB will be expanded to children aged six through 17. As of January 1, 2015, parents will receive a benefit of $60 per month for children aged six through 17. Parents will receive $720 per child, per year.
- The limits used to calculate the child care expenses deduction will increase by $1,000 starting in the 2015 tax year: from $7,000 to $8,000 for children under 7; from $4,000 to $5,000 for children aged 7 through 16; and from $10,000 to $11,000 for children who are eligible for the disability tax credit.
- The children’s fitness tax credit has doubled from $500 to $1000. Families may be able to claim up to $1,000 per child for the cost of an eligible program of physical activity. If the child is eligible for the disability tax credit and the program cost is at least $100 in registration or membership fees, families can claim an additional $500.
For more information on these and other credits, go to www.canada.ca/taxsavings. For step-by-step help with filing a return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.
Quotes
“Our Government is fulfilling our promise to balance the federal budget, and we are committed to helping families balance theirs. We remain focused on helping hard-working Canadian families make ends meet by making important priorities like child care and after-school sports more affordable. Under our Government’s plan, every family with children will have more money in their pockets to spend on their priorities as a family.”
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue
“Our Government is fulfilling our promise to balance the federal budget, and we are committed to helping families balance theirs. We remain focused on helping hard-working Canadian families make ends meet by making important priorities like child care and after-school sports more affordable. Under our Government’s plan, every family with children will have more money in their pockets to spend on their priorities as a family.”
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue