Why this message to you today? The Federal government is providing several supplemental income programs to Canadians during the Covid – 19 crisis. It is important to understand that this IS taxable income and there are no tax-withholdings on the amounts you are receiving. This means that when you file your taxes next year, 25% to 35% of this amount may need to be paid in income tax.
More Specifically: (source: I have drawn this information from Federal Government website).
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit:The benefit will be available to workers:
- Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits: Examples of stopping to work could include but are not limited to: i) You have been let go from your job or your hours have been reduced to zero; you are in quarantine or are sick; you are away from work to take care of others who are sick (from Covid-19) or you are away from work to take care of children or other dependents whose care facility is closed due to Covid-19. You can also apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit if you are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits. You are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit if you quit your job voluntarily.
- Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.
- You do not need to be laid off to qualify for this benefit, but you do need to match the above criteria.
The income of at least $5,000 may be from any or a combination of the following sources: employment and self-employment. For those who are not eligible for Employment Insurance you may also include maternity and parental benefits under the Employment Insurance program and/or similar benefits paid in Quebec under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan as part of the calculation for income.
- You will receive a benefit of $500 per week for a maximum total of 16 weeks. THIS IS TAXABLE INCOME AND NO TAXES ARE BEING WITHHELD AT SOURCE.
- Questions and Answers on the benefit can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application/questions.html
- The application process for the benefit can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
For more information on all of the components of the Government of Canada Economic Response Plan you can go here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
