Alberta Premier Jim Prentice, left, grabs the budget after Alberta Finance Minister Robin Campbell,right, delivered the 2015 budget in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday, March 26, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
March 26, 2015 - 2:24 PM
EDMONTON - Some of the winners and losers in the Alberta budget released Thursday:
Winner — Corporations and oil companies: No changes to the 10 per cent corporate income tax rate and no changes to oil royalties. The government said raising them could tip the province into recession.
Winner — The working poor: Any family making less than $41,220 annually will be eligible for the Alberta Working Family Supplement, which provides a refundable tax credit of up to $2,750 depending on the number of children in the family.
Loser — The wealthy: The province is ending its 10 per cent flat income tax system and phasing in two new tax brackets for anyone making more than $100,000 a year.
Loser — The middle class: The budget contains a health levy to be paid by individuals making more than $50,000. It is tied to income and capped at $1,000 annually. There are also a host of fee increases. In total, a single person making $60,000 a year can expect to pay $161 more annually. A two-income family making $120,000 a year with two children can expect to pay $288 more.
Loser — Drivers: The gasoline tax is going up by four cents a litre starting Friday. Fees to register vehicles are going up by $9. Traffic fines are being increased by an average of 35 per cent.
Loser — Smokers and drinkers: A bottle of wine will cost 16 cents more while 12 beers will cost an extra 90 cents. The tax on a carton of smokes is going up $5 to $45.
Loser — Charities: The Charitable Donation Tax Credit is being reduced to 12.75 per cent from 21 per cent for donations more than $200.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015