A Guide to Basic Personal Amount Tax Credit | TaxPage (2024)

The Basic Personal Amount (BPA) is a non-refundable tax credit that can be claimed by all individuals who are Canadian tax residents. The amount that a taxpayer is entitled to claim is based on the taxpayer’s net income and his or her tax residence in Canada.

There are two sets of Basic Personal Amount that are applicable to Canadian taxpayers. The Federal Basic Personal Amount deducts Federal income tax for all taxpayers using the same thresholds across Canada. The provincial Basic Personal Amount is determined by each province with different thresholds and application rules.

This article discusses the Basic Personal Amount rules that are applicable to an Ontario resident and concludes by offering pro tax tips from our top Canadian tax lawyers.

Tax Residence and the 90% Rule

Individuals who are Canadian tax residents are entitled to claim both the federal and provincial Basic Personal Amount on his or her income tax return. An individual’s tax residence, namely a person’s residence status for the purpose of filing Canadian tax, is determined by various factors. Taxpayers with significant residential ties – specifically, a home, a spouse, or a dependent in Canada – are very likely to be deemed a factual tax resident in Canada.

However, if you have recently returned or moved to Canada, the 90% rule may be applicable when it comes to tax filing and your entitlement to the Basic Personal Amount. An immigrant or emigrant may be deemed a part-year resident in the year of arriving or leaving Canada. Part-year residents are entitled to the full Basic Personal Amount if, during the period of non-residency, his or her Canadian-source income reported is 90% or more of the taxpayer’s net worldwide income. Additional documents and statements may be required if a part-year resident claims full Basic Personal Amount. If a part-year resident does not meet the 90% rule, then his or her entitled Basic Personal Amount will be proportioned to the period of residency.

Calculating Federal and Provincial Basic Personal Amount

The Federal Basic Personal Amount changes year to year, to keep up with the inflation. In 2021, the Federal Basic Personal Amount was set at $13,808 for taxpayers with a net income of $150,473 or less. For 2022, the net income threshold for full amount deduction increases to $151,978.

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Even though a Canadian taxpayer files both federal and provincial income taxes on one return, each province has a different system for assessing an individual’s Basic Personal Amount. The full Ontario Basic Personal Amount, as an example, does not change based on the net income of the taxpayer. Rather, Ontario imposes an additional tax, surtax, on taxpayers with annual income over a certain threshold.

As a tax credit, the Basic Personal Amount can appear to be confusing as the amount is not the actual tax deducted but the base for deduction. The actual deduction from your tax liability is computed by the Basic Personal Amount multiplied by the lowest tax rate in the income tax bracket. If you make less than the Basic Personal Amount, this tax credit effectively exempt you from paying any income tax. A Toronto taxpayer who has earned $50,000 in 2021, for instance, is entitled to the federal Basic Personal Amount deduction of $2,071.20 ($13,808*15%) and the Ontario Basic Personal Amount deduction of $549.44 ($10,880*5.05%).

The Net Income Threshold

There are two criteria in calculating a taxpayer’s entitlement to the Federal Basic Personal Amount. The first criterion is the net income reported by the taxpayer in a tax year. For example, if your 2022 net income is $216,511 or more, your federal Basic Personal Amount will be reduced to $12,421. For anyone with a net income of $151,978 or less, he or she can claim the full federal amount of $13,808. You will need to do a calculation to determine your Basic Personal Amount if your 2022 net income is between $151,978 and $216,511.

The Ontario Basic Personal Amount remains the same regardless of a taxpayer’s net income or taxable income. Instead, Ontario imposes an additional tax on taxpayers whose taxable income exceeds $81,411. The 2022 Ontario Basic Personal Amount is set at $11,141.

Transferring Basic Personal Amount to Your Spouse

The non-refundable tax credit can only be used to increase a taxpayer’s refund if his or her net income is greater than the Basic Personal Amount. Alternatively, you may be able to transfer your unused Basic Personal Amount to your spouse, common-law partner, or eligible dependent. An eligible CRA dependent for tax purposes includes parents or grandparents who are dependent on the taxpayer, a child who is under 18 years of age, or an adult child who has mental or physical disability.

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If you were separated from your spouse or common-law partner for 90 days or more within the year because of a relationship breakdown, you and your spouse or common-law partner are not eligible to transfer any unused amounts when filing your taxes. Additionally, the net income and tax residence of your spouse, common-law partner, or eligible dependent may limit the maximum tax credit transfer he or she can receive.

Pro Tax Tips – Saving Tax By Timing Your Arrival And Income

For part-year residents, the date that you have arrived in Canada and your worldwide or foreign income affect the Basic Personal Amount to which you are entitled. You can choose to either arrive early in the year if you are certain that your Canadian income will not exceed 90% of your worldwide income to maximize the Basic Personal Amount you can claim. The longer you spend in Canada when being a part-year resident, the more you can claim. Alternatively, you may structure or plan your worldwide income to make sure that your main source of income is in Canada.

For more advice on the Basic Personal Amount Tax Credit, contact our expert Toronto tax lawyers.

FAQ

How Much Basic Personal Amount Can I Claim In My Tax Return?

The calculation primarily depends on your net income and your tax residence. If you are a Canadian tax resident for the full year, you are entitled to claim the full Federal and Ontario Basic Personal Amount when filing your income tax. For 2022, the full Federal Basic Personal Amount is $14,398 and the full Ontario Basic Personal Amount is $11,141.

What Is The 90% Rule?

The 90% rule applies to taxpayers who have not been a Canadian tax resident for an entire year, whether they are departing from or arriving at Canada. As a result, they may only be entitled to the full Basic Personal Amount deduction if 90% of their net worldwide income is Canadian-sourced. Otherwise, their entitled amount will be prorated based on the length of their tax residence in Canada.

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Disclaimer:

"This article provides information of a general nature only. It is only current at the posting date. It is not updated and it may no longer be current. It does not provide legal advice nor can it or should it be relied upon. All tax situations are specific to their facts and will differ from the situations in the articles. If you have specific legal questions you should consult a lawyer."

A Guide to Basic Personal Amount Tax Credit | TaxPage (2024)

FAQs

What do you write on basic personal amount? ›

Completing your tax return

Enter the basic personal amount on line 30000 of your return. If your net income at line 23600 of your return is $155,625 or less, enter $14,398 on line 30000. If your net income is $221,708 or more, enter $12,719.

How does the PTE tax credit work? ›

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2026, qualifying pass-through entities (PTEs) may annually elect to pay an entity level state tax on income. Qualified taxpayers receive a credit for their share of the entity level tax, reducing their California personal income tax.

How much tax credit do you get for yourself? ›

Tax Year 2022 (Current Tax Year)
Children or Relatives ClaimedFiling as Single, Head of Household, or WidowedFiling as Married Filing Jointly
Zero$16,480$22,610
One$43,492$49,622
Two$49,399$55,529
Three$53,057$59,187
Mar 8, 2023

Which would be better a tax credit of $1000 or a tax deduction of $1000? ›

A tax credit valued at $1,000, for instance, lowers your tax bill by the corresponding $1,000. Tax deductions, on the other hand, reduce how much of your income is subject to taxes.

What should I put for basic allowances? ›

Claiming 1 allowance is typically a good idea if you are single and you only have one job. You should claim 1 allowance if you are married and filing jointly. If you are filing as the head of the household, then you would also claim 1 allowance. You will likely be getting a refund back come tax time.

What is an example of a tax credit? ›

A tax credit reduces the specific amount of the tax that an individual owes. For example, say that you have a $500 tax credit and a $3,500 tax bill. The tax credit would reduce your bill to $3,000. Refundable tax credits do provide you with a refund if they have money left over after reducing your tax bill to zero.

What is an example of a PTE tax? ›

For example, ABC, LLC is a two-member California LLC with $400,000 in net income. Both members make the PTE tax election, and the LLC pays a 9.3 percent PTE tax to California. This $37,200 payment is a deductible business expense by the LLC, reducing its net income to $362,800.

Do I have to pay back the tax credit? ›

If you qualify for a “refundable” tax credit, you'll receive the entire amount of the credit. If the credit exceeds the tax you owe, you'll receive the remaining amount as a tax refund. Even if you owe no taxes, you can apply for and receive a refundable tax credit.

How is Ptet calculated? ›

The amount due is based upon its election date: An entity making an election after March 15, 2022, and before June 15, 2022, must pay 25% of the required annual payment. An entity making an election on or after June 15, 2022, and before September 15, 2022, must pay 50% of the required annual payment.

Can you claim yourself on a tax credit? ›

If you don't meet the qualifications to be a qualifying child or qualifying relative, you may be able to claim yourself as a dependent. Think of a personal exemption as “claiming yourself.” You are not your own dependent, but you can potentially claim a personal exemption.

What is the $14000 tax credit? ›

A key element in that push is offering up to $14,000 in rebates and tax credits for people to make their homes more energy-efficient. Those benefits can be used to lower the cost of home upgrades, ranging from installing heat pumps to buying new electric appliances like stoves and dryers.

Do single people get a tax credit? ›

Taxpayers with the least income qualify for the greatest credit—up to $1,000 for those filing as single, or $2,000 if filing jointly. For 2022 the maximum income for the Savers Tax Credit is $34,000 for single filers, $51,000 for heads of household, and $68,000 for those married and filing jointly.

How do I get the biggest refund on my taxes? ›

6 Ways to Get a Bigger Tax Refund
  1. Try itemizing your deductions.
  2. Double check your filing status.
  3. Make a retirement contribution.
  4. Claim tax credits.
  5. Contribute to your health savings account.
  6. Work with a tax professional.
Mar 22, 2023

Do you get a bigger tax refund if you make more money? ›

Specifying more income on your W-4 will mean smaller paychecks, since more tax will be withheld. This increases your chances of over-withholding, which can lead to a bigger tax refund. That's why it's called a “refund:” you are just getting money back that you overpaid to the IRS during the year.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0 allowances? ›

By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period.

Should I claim 1 or 0 allowances? ›

Claiming 1 reduces the amount of taxes that are withheld from weekly paychecks, so you get more money now with a smaller refund. Claiming 0 allowances may be a better option if you'd rather receive a larger lump sum of money in the form of your tax refund.

Does claiming 1 or 0 get more taxes taken out? ›

When you claim 0 on your taxes, you have the largest amount withheld from your paycheck for federal taxes. If your goal is to receive a larger tax refund, then it will be your best option to claim 0.

What is the average tax return for a single person making $60000? ›

If you make $60,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $13,653. That means that your net pay will be $46,347 per year, or $3,862 per month.

How do I get a $10000 tax refund 2023? ›

How to Get the Biggest Tax Refund in 2023
  1. Select the right filing status.
  2. Don't overlook dependent care expenses.
  3. Itemize deductions when possible.
  4. Contribute to a traditional IRA.
  5. Max out contributions to a health savings account.
  6. Claim a credit for energy-efficient home improvements.
  7. Consult with a new accountant.
Jan 24, 2023

What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax credit? ›

A tax credit gives you a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe, while a tax deduction lowers your taxable income for the year. Both, though, can save you some cash. For help with your tax strategy, consider working with a financial advisor.

Who pays PTE tax? ›

The owners of a PTE are typically responsible for paying the taxes on the entity's taxable income. The optional tax allows eligible PTEs to shift the payment of state income taxes to the entity. Those income taxes can then be fully deducted for federal tax purposes by the entity.

Who benefits from PTE tax? ›

Benefits of PTET

Owners of eligible entities will be able to deduct a larger portion of their state income taxes paid against federal income. The decision to elect into PTET for a PTE owned by individuals who reside in the same state where the entity files state tax returns should be straight-forward.

What are the benefits of PTE payment? ›

The key benefit to a PTE election is the full federal deductibility of the entity's state income taxes paid with a PTE tax. While the income and tax reported is dependent on each state's rules, there is no federal limit to the amount of PTE tax that is deductible.

How to get a $10,000 tax refund? ›

CAEITC
  1. Be 18 or older or have a qualifying child.
  2. Have earned income of at least $1.00 and not more than $30,000.
  3. Have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for yourself, your spouse, and any qualifying children.
  4. Living in California for more than half of the tax year.
Feb 13, 2023

Does a tax credit reduce your tax bill? ›

Credits can reduce the amount of tax you owe or increase your tax refund. Certain credits may give you a refund even if you don't owe any tax.

Why is Ptet beneficial? ›

A PTET credit offsets all taxes computed and reported on New York State personal income tax Forms IT-201, IT-203, and IT-205. If the PTET credit exceeds the tax due for the tax year, the excess credit will be refunded without interest.

What happens if you overpay Ptet tax? ›

How are overpayments of the PTE elective tax treated? If the entity overpaid the tax, the overpayment will be applied to other liabilities or refunded to the entity after a tax return is filed.

Which states have a PTE tax? ›

States that have enacted or proposed Pass-Through Entity Tax
  • Alabama.
  • Arizona (effective in 2022)
  • Arkansas (effective in 2022)
  • California.
  • Colorado (retroactive to 2018)
  • Connecticut (mandatory)
  • Georgia.
  • Idaho.
Mar 16, 2023

When to expect refund 2023? ›

Most people with no issues on their tax return should receive their refund within 21 days of filing electronically if they choose direct deposit.

Can you claim your dog on your taxes? ›

Unfortunately, you can't claim pets as dependents, but you may be able to write off some expenses depending on the role they play in your life.

Can I claim my girlfriend as a dependent? ›

You can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets certain Internal Revenue Service requirements. To qualify as a dependent, your partner must have lived with you for the entire calendar year and listed your home as their official residence for the full year.

What is the $1,800 tax credit? ›

If you and your family meet the income eligibility requirements and you received each advance payment between July and December 2021, you can expect to receive up to $1,800 for each child age 5 and younger, or up to $1,500 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17, when you file your 2021 taxes.

What is the $2,000 tax credit for 2022? ›

Child tax credit 2022

For the 2022 tax year, the CTC is worth $2,000 per qualifying dependent child if your modified adjusted gross income is $400,000 or below (married filing jointly) or $200,000 or below (all other filers).

What is the $3000 tax credit? ›

For tax year 2021, the Child Tax Credit is increased from $2,000 per qualifying child to: $3,600 for each qualifying child who has not reached age 6 by the end of 2021, or. $3,000 for each qualifying child age 6 through 17 at the end of 2021.

What is the average tax refund for single people? ›

The IRS says the average tax refund is about $2,900, which is 11% less than last year. WASHINGTON (KABC) -- The deadline to file your taxes is just two weeks away, but don't be surprised if your tax refund is smaller this year than in years past. According to the IRS, 80 million Americans have filed their 2022 returns.

What's the most a single person can get back in taxes? ›

There's no limit on the amount your tax refund can be.

What is the most a single person can claim on taxes? ›

$12,950

How to get $5,000 tax refund? ›

The IRS says if you welcomed a new family member in 2021, you could be eligible for an extra $5,000 in your refund. This is for people who had a baby, adopted a child, or became a legal guardian. But you must meet these criteria:You didn't receive the advanced Child Tax Credit payments for that child in 2021.

How can I get my tax refund if I have no income? ›

Credits may earn you a tax refund

If you qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, you can receive a refund even if your tax is $0. To claim the credits, you have to file your 1040 and other tax forms.

Will tax refunds be bigger in 2023? ›

According to early IRS data, the average tax refund will be about 11% smaller in 2023 versus 2022, largely due to the end of pandemic-related tax credits and deductions.

Should I keep grocery receipts for taxes? ›

Supporting documents include sales slips, paid bills, invoices, receipts, deposit slips, and canceled checks. These documents contain the information you need to record in your books. It is important to keep these documents because they support the entries in your books and on your tax return.

Does IRS require receipts for expenses? ›

You generally must have documentary evidence, such as receipts, canceled checks, or bills, to support your expenses. Additional evidence is required for travel, entertainment, gifts, and auto expenses.

Can you use bank statements instead of receipts for taxes? ›

Review bank statements and credit card statements. They are usually a good list of what you paid. They may also be a good substitute if you don't have a receipt. Vendors and suppliers may have duplicate records.

What can I write off of my taxes? ›

What Can Be Deducted From My Taxes?
  • Business expenses (must be ordinary and necessary)
  • Student loan interest.
  • Traditional IRA contributions.
  • HSA contributions (other than those paid through your employer)
  • Charitable contributions.
  • Medical expenses more than 10% of your AGI.
  • Mortgage interest.

Why is everyone getting less tax refund this year? ›

Many Americans will be getting a smaller tax refund this year as the tax credits offered as pandemic relief have reverted back to pre-pandemic levels, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning. Tax season officially began Jan. 23 and ends with the April 18 Tax Day filing deadline.

How much can you get back in taxes with no dependents? ›

Tax Year 2022 (Current Tax Year)

Find the maximum AGI, investment income and credit amounts for tax year 2022. The maximum amount of credit: No qualifying children: $560. 1 qualifying child: $3,733.

Should I claim basic personal allowances? ›

If you are single and are being claimed as a dependant by someone else's W4 then you should claim zero allowances. If you are single and have one job, or married and filing jointly then claiming one allowance makes the most sense.

What is a basic amount? ›

Basic Amount means, with respect to a Major Investor, its pro rata portion of the Offered Securities determined by multiplying the number of Offered Securities by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of all Shares then held by such Major ...

Should I fill out personal allowances worksheet? ›

To complete the W-4 properly, you'll need to go through the personal allowance worksheet to ensure you're not paying too much or too little taxes come tax time! You should consider completing a new Form W-4 when your personal or financial situation changes.

What is the basic exemption limit? ›

The Budget 2023 has hiked the basic exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh currently. Thus, an individual's income becomes taxable if it exceeds Rs 3 lakh in a financial year.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0? ›

By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period.

Why do I owe taxes if I claim 0 and single? ›

Why do you still owe taxes if you claimed zero? There are a few reasons why you would still owe money if you have claimed zero on your tax forms. Some reasons are if you have additional income, have a spouse that earns income or if you earn bonuses or commissions.

What is basic pay for? ›

What Is Basic Salary? Basic salary, also called base salary, is the amount of money a salaried employee regularly earns before any additions or deductions are applied to their earnings. Additions and deductions to basic salary can significantly affect the size of an employee's paycheck.

Is interest on underpayment of tax deductible? ›

The IRS typically assesses penalties along with interest on the balance owed by a taxpayer, and this interest is not tax-deductible.

What is the penalty for late payment of provisional tax? ›

Late payment of provisional tax

A penalty of 10% will be levied on any late payment regarding the first and second periods, and/or; SARS will consider the estimated income to be nil if four months have elapsed since the due date of the second provisional tax payment.

Do allowances count as income? ›

While all pays are taxable, most allowances are tax-exempt.

How much should allowances be? ›

A commonly used rule of thumb for paying an allowance is to pay children $1 to $2 per week for each year of their age. Following this rule, a 10-year-old would receive $10 to $20 per week, while a 16-year-old would get $16 to $32 per week.

Do I have to report allowances? ›

Tax allowances were an important part of helping people reduce or increase the size of their paychecks. While they don't exist on the W-4 anymore, it's still very possible to affect the size of your paychecks by claiming additional withholding or deductions. Less withholding also means a bigger paycheck.

What is basic personal exemption? ›

What are personal exemptions? Along with the standard deduction, personal exemptions provide that only income above a basic level is subject to tax, helping ensure that the poorest households are not subject to the income tax.

What is the limit to be exempt from federal taxes? ›

So, how much income results in no tax liability? In 2021, your annual income has to be lower than: $12,400 (Single or Married Filing Separately) $18,650 (Head of Household)

How to calculate tax? ›

Sales Tax Calculation and Formula

Here's how to calculate the sales tax on an item or service: Know the retail price and the sales tax percentage. Divide the sales tax percentage by 100 to get a decimal. Multiply the retail price by the decimal to calculate the sales tax amount.

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