The Budget did not propose a number of changes that were the subject of heavy speculation. In particular, the capital gains inclusion rate will not increase and remains at 50 per cent. A dollar limit is not imposed on the employee stock option deduction and thus it will continue to be calculated as half the stock option benefit amount.

Personal income tax rates will not increase under the Budget.

Tuition Tax Credit

Effective January 1, 2017, the Budget proposes to expand the types of courses that are eligible for the Tuition Tax Credit.

The Tuition Tax Credit can currently be claimed with respect to occupational skills courses taken at a non-post-secondary institution. In contrast, the credit cannot be claimed for similar non-post-secondary level courses taken at a college or university.

The Budget proposes to allow the Tuition Tax Credit to be claimed in the latter instance and, further, to allow the scholarship exemption for bursaries related to such courses, provided that all other conditions for the exemption are met.

Simplifying the Caregiver Credit System

The existing Caregiver Credit, Infirm Dependent Credit and Family Caregiver Tax Credit each have different eligibility rules. The Budget proposes to simplify these existing credits by replacing them with a single new, non-refundable credit, the Canada Caregiver Credit. This credit will provide tax relief of up to 15 per cent of $6,883 (in 2017) for expenses for care of dependent relatives with infirmities, and up to 15 per cent of $2,150 (in 2017) for expenses for care of a dependent spouse/common-law partner or minor child with an infirmity. There is no requirement for the dependent to live with the caregiver to claim the credit.

This new credit will start to be reduced when the dependent's net income is above $16,163 (in 2017, indexed to inflation for taxation years after 2017).

Disability Tax Credit — Certification by Nurse Practitioners

The Budget proposes to allow nurse practitioners to certify impairments for purposes of the Disability Tax Credit. This measure will be effective for certifications made after March 21, 2017.

Medical Expense Tax Credit — Fertility-Related Expenses

For the 2017 taxation year and beyond, the Budget proposes to clarify the types of fertility-related expenses that are eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit. In particular, persons who require medical intervention to conceive, even if not infertile, will explicitly be allowed to claim the credit for expenses that would generally be eligible for someone who has an infertility condition.

Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for Flow-Through Share Investors

Eligibility for the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit is proposed to be extended for one year under the Budget. The credit will apply to flow-through share agreements entered into on or before March 31, 2018.

Public Transit Tax Credit

The Public Transit Credit is proposed to be eliminated under the Budget for transit use after June 30, 2017.

Home Relocation Loans Deduction

The Budget proposes to eliminate the home relocation loans deduction for benefits realized on January 1, 2018, and beyond. Accordingly, an individual who receives a loan from their employer that qualifies as an eligible home relocation loan will no longer be entitled to offset any imputed interest benefit in the 2018 taxation year and beyond.

Anti-avoidance Rules for Registered Plans

The anti-avoidance rules that currently exist for Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Tax-Free Savings Accounts are proposed to be extended to RESPs and RDSPs under the Budget. These changes will apply to transactions occurring after March 22, 2017, with the following exceptions.

The advantage rules will not apply to swap transactions occurring on or before June 30, 2017. Further, the proposed changes will not apply to swap transactions undertaken on or before December 31, 2021, where the purpose of the transaction is to ensure that the RESP or RDSP complies with the advantage or prohibited investment rules.

In addition, an RESP or RDSP plan-holder may elect by April 1, 2018, not to pay advantage tax on the distribution of investment income from an investment that was held on March 22, 2017, but instead pay regular personal income tax.

Allowances for Members of Legislative Assemblies and Certain Municipal Officers

The Budget proposes to include non-accountable allowances paid to certain officials in their income, beginning in the 2019 taxation year.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.