CRA posts payroll deductions formulas for computer programs • New payroll deductions calculator available online • Minimum wage going up • Minimum wage going up in Saskatchewan • QPIP 2012 premium rates • Minimum wage going up
Canada
CRA posts payroll deductions formulas for computer programs
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted T4127, Payroll Deductions Formulas for Computer Programs, on its website. This publication contains recently announced tax changes effective July 1, 2011. There are no changes to the federal tax rates, income thresholds or personal amounts required for July 1, but there are some provincial changes. The publication contains updated tax rates for Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
New payroll deductions calculator available online
The new payroll deductions online calculator is now available on the Canada Revenue Agency's website. The new deductions are effective July 1. There are no changes to the federal tax rates, income thresholds or personal amounts required for July 1, but some provincial and territorial changes have been announced. The new calculator can be found at:
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/pyrll/menu-eng.html?=eml20110609.
Alberta
Minimum wage going up
The earnings of 20,000 Albertans will rise Sept. 1, 2011, when the province increases its minimum wage and introduces a new wage for liquor servers. The general minimum wage will rise from $8.80 per hour to $9.40 per hour. The new minimum wage rates represent a 6.8-per-cent increase for general workers and a 2.8-per-cent increase for liquor servers, the first changes to minimum wage in Alberta since April 2009. A new minimum wage of $9.05 per hour will also be introduced for workers who serve alcohol as part of their regular job, recognizing these employees also earn tips. The minimum wage for liquor servers will remain at $9.05 per hour until the general minimum wage reaches $10.05 per hour. From that point on, both wage rates will increase and the $1 differential will be maintained. Also Sept. 1, Alberta will use a new formula to make decisions about future increases the minimum wage. The new formula will be a simple average of changes to Alberta’s annual average weekly earnings and changes to the consumer price index.
Saskatchewan
Minimum wage going up in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is increasing its minimum wage by 25 cents to $9.50 an hour on Sept. 1, 2011. The increase will also mean an increase to the minimum call-out pay, bringing it to $28.50. The 2.7-per-cent increase represents an average of the four per cent increase in the average hourly wage (AHW) and the 1.4 per cent increase in the consumer price index (CPI). Minimum wage has increase by $1.55 an hour since 2007. The government will continue to monitor minimum wage in the years ahead, said Don Morgan, labour relations and workplace safety minister. The province’s Minimum Wage Board is required to review the wage and report to the government every two years.
Manitoba
Minimum wage going up
Manitoba is raising its minimum wage by 50 cents to $10 an hour on Oct. 1, 2011. The minimum wage in the province is currently $9.50 an hour. The last increase in the province was Oct. 1, 2010, when the wage increased 50 cents from $9 an hour. The Labour Management Review Committee (LMRC), composed of equal representatives from labour and business organizations, recommended three annual increases ending in 2012. The groups differed on the amount with employer representatives recommending annual increases of 30 cents and labour representatives recommending an increase of 75 cents. On the recommendation of employer representatives, the government agreed to implement the increase in October to give seasonal industries time to plan.
Quebec
QPIP 2012 premium rates
The Conseil de gestion (management board) of the Parental Insurance Plan has announced the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan rates for 2012. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, rates will be set at 0.559 per cent for salaried workers, 0.782 per cent for employers and 0.993 per cent for self-employed workers. This special adjustment is aimed at reducing the deficit of the Parental Insurance Fund, according to the province’s government. When the deficit is reduced, premium rates will be rolled back to their equilibrium level.
New Brunswick
Minimum wage going up
New Brunswick will be hiking the minimum wage September 1, from $9.50 per hour to $10. The minimum wage rate for employees whose hours of work per week are unverifiable and who are not strictly employed on a commission basis will rise from $418 per week to $440 on September 1.
Prince Edward Island
Minimum wage going up
Prince Edward Island is increasing its minimum wage for the second time this year in October. The first increase occurred on June 1, when the wage went from $9 to $9.30 an hour. On Oct. 1, the minimum wage will rise another 30 cents to $9.60.
