New Tax Breaks for Canadian Families

It was a promise made by our Conservative government and it is a promise that has been kept. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced four new and important tax measures to support families with children by putting more of their hard-earned money back in their pockets where it belongs. These measures make good on our commitment to Canadians to provide significant tax relief once we balance the budget. In fact, over the past eight years, we’ve cut taxes over 160 times for families, for job creators and for all Canadians. We recently announced the Small Business Job Credit, to lower payroll taxes on small businesses by 15% to build on our success. We cut the GST to 5%, cut personal income taxes, created the Tax-Free Savings Account, pension income splitting for seniors and have made other cuts that all together save the average family of four $3,400 a year. And we’ve done all of that while keeping Canada on track to return to balanced budgets in 2015.

The proposed new measures include:
• The Family Tax Cut, a federal tax credit, (Income Splitting) that will allow a higher-income spouse to transfer up to $50,000 of taxable income to a spouse in a lower tax bracket. The credit will provide tax relief – capped at $2,000 – for couples with children under the age of 18, effective for the 2014 tax year.
• Increasing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) created by our government in 2006 for children under age six. As of January 1, 2015, parents will receive a benefit of $160 per month for each child under the age of six – up from $100 per month. In a year, parents will receive up to $1,920 per child.
• Expanding the UCCB to children aged six through 17. As of January 1, 2015, under the expanded UCCB, parents will receive a benefit of $60 per month for children aged six through 17. In a year, parents will receive up to $720 per child.
• Increasing the Child Care Expense Deduction dollar limits by $1,000, effective for the 2015 tax year. The maximum amounts that can be claimed will increase to $8,000 from $7,000 for children under age seven, to $5,000 from $4,000 for children aged seven through 16, and to $11,000 from $10,000 for children who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

Much more information about these new tax breaks can be found at my website www.bevshipley.ca
While you’re there, feel free to “Have Your Say” and vote on my web poll question regarding these new tax measures.

Remembrance Day Across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

It is just 6 days until Remembrance Day, November 11th. Like every year, it is my hope that everyone across the riding gets out to a Remembrance Day service at their local cenotaph, school or other gathering place. This year, I am sure the recent deaths of Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent will be in the minds of many as we pay our respects. We will also remember the many men and women in uniform who came before them and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, as well as those still serving today. We honour their courage, bravery and sacrifice. Lest we forget.

Did You Know?

-While many ridings across the country have just one or two Legions, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex has an incredible 19! We thank the members of each and every one of them for all of their help with Legion and Veterans matters throughout the year.

– We want to make sure that we have the names of all veterans of WWII living in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. They are eligible to receive a commemorative certificate and lapel pin from Veterans Affairs as we mark the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. If you know of someone who should be on our list, please call my Strathroy Constituency office at 519-245-6561.

-I am tweeting and posting daily! Make sure to connect with me on Twitter and Facebook for riding news, information on government programs and to see what’s happening up in Ottawa.

Until next time,

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex