Advertisement

CRA: The Basic Personal Amount Is Going up to $13,808 in 2021 (Less Taxes for You)!

Taxes CRA

Canadian taxpayers start paying taxes only when income exceeds the basic personal amount (BPA). The BPA will increase by $579 this year from $13,229 last year. As such, the first $13,808 for the taxation year 2021 is tax-free. The Trudeau administration is fulfilling its campaign promise to implement broad-based tax changes until 2023.

The federal government wants to ensure that an average family could save around $585 a year once the means-tested tax changes are complete. In 2023-2024, the BPA will be $15,000. The Liberals also estimate that the amendment to the Income Tax Act would lift more than 38,000 Canadians out of poverty.

Foregone government revenue

The BPA changes are means-tested, which means the personal exemption drop as income rises. While about 20 million Canadians will have more money in their pockets, the program will cost the government roughly $21 billion. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), it’s foregone revenue over the next five years.

The following are the PBO’s estimates of the federal treasury’s cost: $783 million in 2019-20, $3.4 billion in 2020-21, $4.5 billion in 2021-22, $5.8 billion in 2022-23 and $6.8 billion by 2023-24. After the final year of implementation, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will index the BPA to the succeeding years’ Consumer Price Index.

Regarding reducing the family’s annual taxes, the PBO said couples with children could save around $573. The yearly taxes of couples without children will decrease by $467. For single-parent families, it would mean $336 less in annual taxes. A single-person family will derive $189 in yearly tax reduction.

BPA in 2021

Most Canadian taxpayers can claim the BPA, a non-refundable tax credit for their income tax. For 2021, you can claim the full $13,808 if your income is below the 29% tax bracket, or $151,978. However, the BPA reduces if your income is between 29% and 33% ($216,511) tax brackets.

For an individual taxpayer whose income exceeds $216,511, the maximum BPA is $12,421. In 2022 and 2023, the BPA will increase by $590 and $602. Thus, families can expect more reduction in annual taxes in the next two years.

Earning passive income

An interesting development in the 2020 pandemic is that Canadian families are saving more. Besides saving money, many see the importance of investing and creating passive income to boost household incomes. In today’s low-interest-rate environment, a viable income stock is First National Financial (TSX:FN).

The financial stock pays a hefty 4.94% dividend. Assuming you have $13,808 free cash to invest, you can produce $682.12 in passive income. Last year’s total return was an impressive 17%. First National offers single-family residential and multi-unit residential and commercial mortgages. The $2.55 billion company has an extensive mortgage distribution channel, although clients can also apply online.

First National experienced higher mortgage origination and wider mortgage spread in the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Mortgages under administration increased to a record $117 billion, or 6% higher, than the same period in 2019. Net income grew by 20% to $72.5 million, while revenue grew by 3% to $373.8 million.

Significant tax deductions

The BPA increase should be welcome news to taxpayers. Canadians who need help the most will benefit from a significant tax reduction in 2021 and the years to come. If you hate taxes like most, get ready to claim this non-refundable tax credit.

The post CRA: The Basic Personal Amount Is Going up to $13,808 in 2021 (Less Taxes for You)! appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

More reading

Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

The Motley Fool’s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canada’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2021