Tax Cuts Funded by the Carbon Tax


B.C.’s revenue-neutral carbon tax has allowed British Columbia to reduce taxes for individuals, families and business.

Since the carbon tax was introduced on July 1, 2008, some $300 million has been collected. However, the corresponding tax cuts have returned over $338 million to British Columbians. That is $38 million more in British Columbian pockets thanks to the revenue neutral tax on carbon emissions.

As a result, B.C. now has the lowest income taxes in Canada for people earning up to $116,000, B.C.’s corporate taxes will be the lowest in the G7 group of countries, and B.C.’s small business taxes will be the lowest in Canada by 2012.

These tax cuts will attract investment, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
British Columbians will continue to benefit from the following tax reductions funded entirely by the new revenue-neutral carbon tax.
Tax Reductions Funded by the Revenue Neutral Carbon Tax
($millions)
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
Total
Carbon tax revenue (amount to be returned to taxpayers)

(546)

(754)

(968)

(2268)

Personal Tax Cuts    
– Low income refundable tax credit
145
146
146
437
– Increase low-income tax credit by 10 per cent in July 2011
-
-
12
12
– Reduce bottom two tax bracket rates by 5 per cent
220
231
246
697
– Provide a northern and Rural Homeowner benefit of up to $200 effective 2011
-
21
83
104
Total tax cuts for individuals

365

398

487

1250

Business Tax Cuts    
– General corporate income tax rate cut to 11% effective July 1, 2008, to 10.5% effective Jan. 1, 2010 and to 10% effective Jan. 1, 2011
150
200
270
620
– Small business corporate income tax rate cut to 3.5% July 1, 2008 and to 2.5% effective Dec. 1, 2008
170
142
144
456
– Introduce industrial Property Tax Credit of 50% of school property taxes payable by light and major industrial properties effective for the 2009 tax year
50
52
54
156
–Increase the Indistrial Property Tax Credit to 60% proposed for 2011
-
3
11
14
– Reduce school property taxes by 50 per cent for land classified as 'farm'
-
1
2
3
Total tax cuts for businesses

370

398

481

1249

Total tax cuts
335
796
968
2499