During COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian government introduced a number of measures in 2020 to assist individuals and businesses who have been affected by COVID-19. Here are some tax implications to consider if you’ve received any of these benefit in 2020.
SUPPORT BENEFITS
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
If you lost your job, were working reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or were sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children or other relatives in 2020, the CERB provided income support of $500 per week (or $2,000 per four-week eligibility period) for up to 28 weeks, with a maximum claim of $14,000. The CERB was available until September 26, 2020 and the last date to apply retroactively is December 2, 2020.
The government will be issuing a T4A tax reporting slip for 2020 showing the total amount of CERB you received, and you must report this amount as income when filing your 2020 income tax return. No tax was deducted at source from your CERB payments, so you may need to pay tax on the CERB amounts you received when you file your 2020 income tax return. The amount of tax that you will owe on your CERB will depend on your 2020 marginal tax rate, taking into account all other income you may have earned in 2020.
If you are not eligible for EI, perhaps because you are self-employed, you may qualify for the CRB, which began on September 27, 2020 and runs until September 25, 2021. You can receive a taxable benefit amount of $500 per week, for up to 26 weeks. You are required to apply after every two-week period for which you need support and the deadline for applying for any two-week period is 60 days after the end of that period.
While the government has indicated that, unlike the CERB, it will be withholding 10% in taxes on any CRB payments, this may be insufficient to cover your tax liability on the CRB, which will be taxable at your 2020 marginal tax rates. In addition, if your total income (excluding the CRB) was over $38,000 in 2020, you may be required to pay back the CRB at a rate of $0.50 for each dollar of CRB received for income over this amount.
If you are (self-)employed and don't have a paid sick leave program, the CRSB may provide a $500 per week taxable benefit, for up to two weeks, if you cannot work either because you are ill or because you must self-isolate due to COVID-19, or you are more susceptible to COVID-19. This benefit is available from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. Applications can be made after the specific claim week ends. The deadline for applying for any one-week period is 60 days after the end of that period.
Like the CRB, the amount is taxable and is subject to 10% withholding tax, so you could end up owing some extra tax on the CRSB for 2020 come next spring. Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) The CRCB provides a $500 per week taxable benefit, for up to 26 weeks, if you miss work to care for a family member in certain circumstances due to COVID-19. This benefit is also available from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. Similar to the CRSB, applications can be made after the particular claim period ends and the deadline for applying for any one-week period is 60 days after then end of that period. As with the CRB and the CRSB, the CRCB is taxable and subject to the 10% withholding tax, which may be insufficient. Accordingly, if you receive the CRCB, you may want to set aside some funds at year end to cover any additional tax that could be owing next April.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for eligible Canadians unable to work for at least 50 per cent of their scheduled work week because they are caring for a child under 12 years old or a family member due to one of the following reasons:
They require supervised care because their school, daycare, day program or care facility is closed or unavailable due to COVID-19
Their regular care services are unavailable due to COVID-19
They are sick with COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms, at risk of serious health complications if they get COVID-19 or self-isolating due to COVID-19.
As per CRA, amounts received under all three benefits are taxable and a 10 per cent withholding tax will be applied at source and T4A slips will be issued reflecting the total CRA administered COVID-19 benefits received and taxes withheld at source.
TAX ADJUSTMENTS
T4 Reporting requirements
The CRA announced new T4 reporting requirements applicable to all employers that involve reporting amounts paid during specific periods of 2020. This has been done to help the government validate benefit payments under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). CPA Canada has asked the CRA to provide more detailed guidance, but keep in mind that the additional reporting is based on when amounts were paid to the employee and not earned.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS
The federal government continues to financially support small businesses through the pandemic with various wage subsidies, loans and other programs. Here is a round-up of the assistance that continues.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The CEWS program—which helps employers that experienced revenue declines due to COVID-19 cover wages re-hire terminated employees, prevent further job loss and facilitate normal operations— will be extended to June 2021 if recent proposals become law. This benefit consists of a base subsidy for all eligible employers, as well as a top-up subsidy for applicants hardest hit.
Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS) The CRA released its 10 per cent Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-identification Form (PD27) for Employers in July. TWS is a three-month measure that allows employers to reduce the amount of federal, provincial or territorial tax owed to the CRA.
The subsidy is equal to 10 per cent (or a lower percentage that the employer decides to claim) on remuneration paid from March 18 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee and a maximum of $25,000 per employer.
Most employers will need to file the PD27 and the CRA has provided additional guidance for common scenarios on its website. It also encourages claimants to submit PD27 Forms as soon as possible to avoid year end discrepancy notices.
If you are eligible for both TWS and CEWS, you will need to reduce CEWS claims by the amounts claimed under TWS for those pay dates in a specific CEWS claim period.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
Under the new proposed CERS, which will provide mortgage and rent support to qualifying businesses who have suffered a revenue drop due to COVID-19 until June 2021, up to 65 per cent of eligible expenses will be subsidized until Dec. 19, 2020. The subsidy is provided directly to tenants, while also supporting property owners. In addition, a top-up of 25 per cent is available for those businesses that must temporarily shut down due to a mandatory public health order.
Applicants can make claims retroactively for the period beginning Sept. 27 and ending Oct. 24, 2020. More details will soon be released.
OTHER SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
The application deadline for the CEBA, which provides interest-free loans to eligible businesses of up to $20,000, in addition to the original CEBA loan of $40,000, has been extended to Dec. 31, 2020.
The expanded program now allows more businesses to access support, including those with fixed costs such as owner-operated small businesses without a payroll, sole proprietors receiving business income directly and family-owned corporations remunerating in the form of dividends rather than payroll.
Half of additional financing received is forgivable if repaid by Dec. 31, 2022.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
The RRRF provides $1.5 billion to businesses and organizations in specific sectors, including manufacturing, technology, tourism, etc., that are key to regions and local economies and have not been able to access other support measures.
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The deadline to apply for the BCAP which provides commercial credit and cashflow term loans for SMEs based on annual business revenues and to assist with operational expenses, has been extended to June 2021. Additional loan programs include the Mid-Market Financing Program and the Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program.
We have assisted many business owners and individuals with these government programs. If you require any assistance with any of these programs or need further information on the tax implication based on your unique situation. Please Contact Us.
Source: CIBC
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