Last updated: November 19 2008

2009 Tax Brackets, Rates and Amounts

Last week the CRA issued the draft version of T4217 - Payroll Deductions Formulas for Computer Programs - 88th Edition - Effective January 1, 2009. This obscure document provides the details of the tax brackets and rates applicable to 2009. The indexation factor that applies to federal amounts is 2.5% for 2008. For the various provinces, the indexation factor varies from 0% for provinces who do not apply indexing to their rates and amounts to a maximum of 3.8% in Alberta.

Federal Tax Brackets for 2008 and 2009

2008 Taxable Income Range

 

Tax Rate

2009 Taxable Income Range

Up to $37,885

 

15%

Up to $38,832

$37,886 to $75,769

 

22%
 

$38,833 to $77,664

$75,770 to $123,184

 

26%

$77,665 to $126,264

Over $123,184

 

29%

Over $126,264

Tax rates remain at the same levels, but the brackets have been indexed by 2.5%

Federal Personal Amounts for 2008 and 2009

Personal Amounts 2008 2009
Basic Personal Maximum Claim $9,600 $10,100
Age Maximum Claim $5,276 $5,408
Base Amount $31,524 $32,312
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Maximum Claim $9,600 $10,100
Reduced by net income over $0 $0
Eligible Dependants Maximum Claim $9,600 $10,100
Reduced by net income over $0 $0
Children under 18 Maximum Claim (per child) $2,038 $2,089
Infirm Dependants Maximum Claim $4,095 $4,198
Reduced by net income over $5,811 $5,956
Canada Employment Maximum $1,019 $1,044
Public Transit Passes Maximum None None
Children's Fitness Maximum $500 $500
Adoption Expenses Maximum Claim $10,643 $10,909
Pension Income Maximum Claim $2,000 $2,000
Caregiver Maximum Claim $4,095 #4,198
Reduced by net income over $13,986 $14,336
Disability Basic Amount $7,021 $7,196
Supplementary Amount $4,095 $4,198
Base Child Care Amount $2,399 $2,459
Tuition, Education, and Textbook
Minimum Tuition $100 $100
Full-time Education Amount
+ Textbook Amount (per month)
$400
+$65
$400
+$65
Part-time Education Amount
+ Textbook amount (per month)
$120
+$20
$120
+$20
Medical Expenses 3% limitation $1,962 $2,011
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement Maximum $1,041 $1,067
Base Family Income $23,057 $23,633
 
Canada Pension Plan Contributions for 2008 and 2009

The maximum pensionable earnings under the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) for 2009 will increase from $44,900 to $46,300. This translates to a maximum employer and employee contribution in 2009 of $2,118.60, increased from a maximum of $2,049.30 in 2008.

The basic exemption of $3,500 will remain the same in 2009 as will the contribution rate of 4.95%. The self-employed rate of 9.9% will also remain unchanged for the year.

Employment Insurance Premiums for 2008 and 2009

The maximum insurable earnings for Employment Insurance purposes increase to $42,300 but the premium rate remains at 1.73% for a maximum annual premium of $731.79 for all provinces (up from $711.03) except Quebec where it is reduced to 1.38% for a maximum premium of $583.74. For 2009, the maximum earnings for the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) are $62,000 with a rate of 0.484% for a maximum annual premium of $300.08.