New tax relief will save small businesses more than half a billion dollars over two years

Minister of Finance Joe Oliver announced more action by the Harper Government to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity: the introduction of the new Small Business Job Credit which is expected to save small businesses more than $550 million over the next two years.
The Small Business Job Credit will effectively lower small businesses’ Employment Insurance (EI) premiums from the current legislated rate of $1.88 to $1.60 per $100 of insurable earnings in 2015 and 2016. Any firm that pays employer EI premiums equal to or less than $15,000 in those years will be eligible for the credit. Almost 90% of all EI premium-paying businesses in Canada will receive the credit, reducing their EI payroll taxes by nearly 15%.
The Canada Revenue Agency will automatically calculate the credit on a business’ return, ensuring no new paper burden will be imposed on business owners.
In addition, all employers and employees will benefit from a substantial reduction in the EI premium rate in 2017 when the new seven-year break-even rate-setting mechanism takes effect. This will ensure that EI premiums are no higher than needed to pay for the EI program over time.
Quick Facts

• Canada has created more than 1.1 million net new jobs since the height of the recession—one of the strongest job creation records in the Group of Seven (G-7).
• In 2013, Canada leapt from sixth to second place in Bloomberg’s ranking of the most attractive destinations for business.
• According to KPMG, total business tax costs in Canada are the lowest in the G-7 and 46% lower than those in the United States.
• In September 2013, the Government announced a three-year freeze of the EI rate at its 2013 level of $1.88 to prevent it from rising to $1.93 in 2014, saving employers and employees an expected $660 million in 2014 alone.