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Your B.C. Government

Tax Benefits for Families and Individuals

Your B.C. Government has introduced over 120 different tax cuts aimed at putting more money back into people's pockets because individuals and families know best how to put their money to use.

What your B.C. Government is doing about Tax Benefits for Families and Individuals:

  • B.C. will have the lowest provincial personal income taxes in Canada for individuals earning up to $118,000.
  • Since 2001, the B.C. Government has reduced taxes more than 120 times, benefiting both business and the people of British Columbia.
  • For the majority of taxpayers, your B.C. Government has reduced provincial income taxes by at least 37 per cent and an additional 325,000 people no longer pay any B.C. income tax. Including measures introduced in the September Budget Update 2009:
    • An individual earning $15,000 now pays $403 less in taxes;
    • An individual earning $20,000 now pays $691 less in taxes;
    • An individual earning $40,000 now pays $1,049 less in taxes;
    • An individual earning $50,000 now pays $1,457 less in taxes;
    • An individual earning $60,000 now pays $1,877 less in taxes;
    • An individual earning $70,000 now pays $2,297 less in taxes.
  • Your B.C. Government will increase the basic personal income tax credit by 17 per cent to $11,000 on January 1, 2010.
  • Your B.C. Government increased the Low Income Climate Action tax credit to low-income families by 5 per cent on July 1, 2009. That means low-income families will be eligible for $105 per adult and $31.50 per child annually. This new benefit will put an additional $15 million a year back in the pockets of the families and individuals who need it most.
  • Your B.C. Government will introduce a B.C. HST credit, paid quarterly with the GST and Low Income Climate Action tax credits to offset the impact of the HST on those with low incomes.
  • In 2008, every B.C. resident received a $100 climate action dividend cheque to help British Columbians make smart choices to reduce their carbon footprint
  • Introduced the Rental Assistance Program in 2006, providing rent payment assistance to more than 8,200 low-income, working families with children whose combined income is less than $35,000. The average monthly rental assistance provided to these families is about $350.
  • The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program has been improved and expanded, with 15,700 seniors' households – that's 3,700 more households than 2001 – receiving an annual rental subsidy of $1,800.
  • Your B.C. Government has increased the home owner grant by $100 and eliminated the threshold for low-income seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities.
  • Your B.C. Government is providing a Northern and Rural Homeowner benefit of up to $200 for homeowners in the area of the province outside the Capital Regional District, Greater Vancouver Regional District and Fraser Valley Regional District for the 2011 tax year.
  • With the improvements your B.C. Government is making to the MSP Premium Assistance Program, those in the greatest financial need will actually come out ahead.
  • For example, a senior couple with an income of $35,000 will see their annual premium cost fall by more than $200.  A family of four earning $30,000 will see their annual costs reduced by more than $250.  In total, approximately 180,000 British Columbians will see their premium costs reduced or eliminated.
  • Healthy Kids Program provides $700 per child, per year for additional dental and eye care on top of MSP Premium Assistance.
  • After Fair PharmaCare was introduced in 2003, 300,000 families received more support than they did in 2001; under this program, the vast majority of British Columbians now pay the same or less for their prescription drugs.
  • Your B.C. Government provides a Child Care Subsidy Program to assist low- and middle-income families earning up to $38,000 with the costs of child care.
  • On average, a family receiving the child care subsidy would receive $5,400 per child over the course of a year.
  • Your B.C. Government created a new, temporary property tax deferment program for those British Columbians experiencing serious financial difficulties due to current economic conditions.
  • Your B.C. Government permanently removed the tolls on the Coquihalla Highway saving travellers time and money. A passenger vehicle making a round trip twice a month will save $480 a year, and a commercial truck making a round trip once a week will save $4,800 a year.

For more information:
B.C. Budget
Ministry of Finance
B.C.’s Carbon Tax