2007 Tax Changes

 

The following table provides an overview of the federal income tax changes for 2007.

 

Net Income

Line 115

Line 116

Other pensions or superannuation

Elected split-pension amount (NEW LINE)

•     Beginning in 2007, individuals who receive pension income that qualifies for the $2,000 pension income tax amount may transfer up to one-half of this income to a spouse or common-law partner. The allocated amount is included on Line 116 in computing the transferee’s income.

Line 127

Capital gains

•     Capital gains arising from gifts of certain publicly traded securities made after March 18, 2007, to private foundations qualify for a nil income-inclusion rate.

•     The lifetime capital gains exemption increases from $500,000 to $750,000 for dispositions of qualifying property occurring after March 18, 2007.

Line 126

Rental net income

•     The capital cost allowance rate for non-residential buildings increases from 4% to 6% for buildings acquired after March 19, 2007.*

Line 129

RRSP income

•     RRSP annuity payments received may be eligible for pension income splitting.

Line 130

Scholarships and bursaries (other income)

•     There is now an income exemption for scholarships and bursaries awarded to students attending elementary and secondary schools.

Lines 135–139

Self-employment income

•     Long-haul truck drivers may be allowed to deduct more than 50% of eligible meal expenses.

 

Net Income Deductions

 

Capital cost allowance

•     Buildings acquired after March 18, 2007, are eligible for an additional allowance at the rate of 6% if they are used 90% or more for manufacturing or processing in Canada, and at the rate of 2% if they are used 90% or more for other non-residential purposes.*

•     Machinery and equipment used in manufacturing or processing and acquired after March 18, 2007, and before 2009 qualify for a 50% straightline rate of depreciation.*

•     Assets acquired after March 18, 2007, that satisfy the current description of Class 45 are depreciable at the rate of 55%.*

Line 208

RRSP deduction

•     Individuals may now contribute to RRSPs until age 71 (instead of age 69).

Line 210

Deduction for elected split-pension amount (NEW LINE)

•     Beginning in 2007, individuals who receive pension income that qualifies for the $2,000 pension income tax amount may transfer up to one-half of this income to a spouse or common-law partner. The allocated amount is deducted on Line 210 in computing the transferor’s income.

Line 213

Universal child care benefit (UCCB) repayment (NEW LINE)

•     Any repayment in 2007 of a UCCB that was included in income in 2006 may be deducted on Line 213.

Line 214

Child care expenses

•     Individuals who claim an amount for children born in 1990 or later on Line 367 may qualify as a supporting person.

•     The net income threshold under which certain dependants may be considered eligible children for the purpose of the deduction increases to $9,600.

•     Amounts paid for child care services to individuals who claim an amount for children born in 1990 or later on Line 367 are not qualifying child care expenses.

•     Earned income for the purpose of calculating the deduction includes certain apprenticeship incentive grants.

Line 222

Deduction for CPP or QPP contributions on self-employment and other earnings

•     The maximum amount that may be deducted increases to $1,989.90.

Line 223

Deduction for provincial parental insurance plan (PPIP) premiums on self-employment income

•     The maximum amount that may be deducted increases to $189.39 (because of the rise in the maximum insurable earnings from $57,000 to $59,000).

Line 224

Exploration and development expenses

•     The resource allowance is no longer deductible.

Line 229

Other employment expenses

•     Long-haul truck drivers may be allowed to deduct more than 50% of eligible meal expenses.

Line 235

Social benefits repayment

•     The repayment threshold amount increases to $63,511 for old age security benefits, and to $50,000 for employment insurance benefits.

 

Taxable Income

Line 249

Security options deductions

•     Gifts of public securities acquired through an employer stock option arrangement made after March 18, 2007, to eligible private foundations are eligible for an additional 50% stock option deduction.

Line 254

Capital gains deduction

•     The lifetime capital gains deduction increases from $500,000 to $750,000 for dispositions of qualifying property occurring after March 18, 2007.

 

Federal Tax: Non-Refundable Tax Credits

Note: For Lines 300 to 378, the tax credit rate is reduced from 15.25% to 15%.

Line 300

Basic personal amount

•     The amount increases to $9,600 (an additional increase above indexation).

Line 301

Age amount

•     The amount increases to $5,177, and the net income threshold increases to $30,936.**

Line 303

Spouse or common-law partner amount

•     The amount increases to $9,600 (an additional increase above indexation).

•     The threshold above which the dependant’s net income must be taken into account is eliminated.

Line 305

Amount for an eligible dependant

•     The amount increases to $9,600 (an additional increase above indexation).

•     The threshold above which the dependant’s net income must be taken into account is eliminated.

•     Under certain circumstances, the restriction preventing an individual from making a claim where he or she is required to pay support is eliminated.

Line 306

Amount for infirm dependants age 18 or older

•     The amount increases to $4,019, and the net income threshold increases to $9,721.**

Line 308

CPP or QPP contributions through employment

•     The maximum contribution amount that may be claimed increases to $1,989.90.

Line 310

CPP or QPP contributions on self-employment and other earnings

•     The maximum amount that may be claimed increases to $1,989.90.

Line 312

Employment insurance premiums

•     The maximum amount that may be claimed is reduced to $720 ($584 for Quebec residents).

Line 313

Adoption expenses

•     The amount increases to $10,445.**

Line 314

Pension income amount

•     The pension income inclusion from elected split-pension income may be eligible for the $2,000 pension income amount.

Line 315

Caregiver amount

•     The amount increases to $4,019, and the net income threshold increases to $17,745.**

Line 316

Disability amount (for self)

•     The base amount, supplement amount, and threshold for allowable child care and attendant care expenses increase to $6,890, $4,019, and $2,354, respectively.**

Line 318

Disability amount transferred from a dependant

•     The maximum amount that may be transferred increases to $10,909.**

Line 323

Tuition, education, and textbook amounts

•     A student enrolled at a foreign university and taking courses over the Internet may claim a tuition credit for fees paid to a foreign university.

Line 330

Medical expenses for self, spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children born in 1990 or later

•     The net income threshold increases to $1,926.**

Line 331

Allowable amount of medical expenses for other dependants

•     The net income threshold increases to $1,926.**

Line 363

Canada employment amount

•     The maximum Canada employment amount is $1,000.

Line 364

Public transit passes amount

•     The cost of weekly transit passes may qualify for the credit.

•     The cost of electronic payment cards may qualify for the credit.

Line 365

Children’s fitness amount (NEW LINE)

•     Starting in 2007, a non-refundable tax credit is available for eligible amounts paid by parents who register a child in an eligible program of physical activity.

Line 367

Amount for children born in 1990 or later (NEW LINE)

•     Parents may claim $2,000 for each child who is under age 18 on December 31, 2007, provided certain conditions are met (maximum credit is $300 per child).

Line 375

Provincial parental insurance plan (PPIP) premiums paid

•     The maximum amount an individual may claim increases to $245.44 (because of the increase in maximum insurable earnings from $57,000 to $59,000).

Line 376

PPIP premiums payable on employment income

•     The maximum amount an individual may claim increases to $245.44 (because of the increase in maximum insurable earnings from $57,000 to $59,000).

Line 378

PPIP premiums payable on self-employment income

•     The maximum amount an individual may claim increases to $245.44 (because of the increase in maximum insurable earnings from $57,000 to $59,000).

Line 412

Investment tax credit

•     Investment tax credits may be available for businesses that create new child care spaces.

•     The deadline for flow-through mining expenditures’ eligibility for investment tax credits is extended.

 

Federal Tax Payable/Refundable

 

Federal tax calculation – Brackets and rates

•     The lowest personal marginal tax rate is reduced from 15.25% to 15%.

 

Minimum tax

•     The minimum tax rate is reduced from 15.25% to 15%.

•     No adjustment is made in calculating the adjusted taxable income for capital gains on gifts of eligible securities to registered charities or other qualified donees that are private foundations.

Line 421

CPP contributions payable on self-employment and other earnings

•     The maximum amount payable by an individual increases to $3,979.80.

Line 422

Social benefits repayment

•     The threshold amount increases to $63,511 for old age security benefits, and to $50,000 for employment insurance benefits.

Line 437

Total income tax deducted

•     Individuals who elect to split pension income (on Line 116) must also split the income tax deducted on pension income.

Line 448

CPP overpayment

•     The maximum contribution amount increases to $1,989.90.

Line 450

Employment insurance overpayment

•     The maximum contribution amount decreases to $720 ($584 for Quebec residents).

Line 452

Refundable medical expense supplement

•     The maximum supplement, minimum earning threshold, and family net income threshold increase to $1,022, $2,984, and $22,627, respectively.**

Line 453

Working income tax benefit (NEW LINE)

•     The working income tax benefit (WITB) is a refundable tax credit payable to certain low-income individuals who earn employment or business income. For 2007, the maximum base amount for an individual who is single with no dependants is $500 (for families, the maximum is $1,000). Disabled individuals may also claim a supplement, up to a maximum of $250 for 2007. The maximum supplement increases to $500 if both the claimant and his or her spouse or common-law partner are disabled.

 

Administration

 

Instalments

•     Beginning in 2008, the instalment threshold amount increases to $3,000 ($1,800 for residents of Quebec).

 

CRA epass services

•     Individuals may now use My Account to apply for child benefits and set up a pre-authorized payment plan for instalments.

 

 

Footnotes

* Under proposed legislation.

* Under proposed legislation.

* Under proposed legislation.

* Under proposed legislation.

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).

**Amount(s) indexed on the basis of the annual increase in the consumer price index (2.2% for 2007).