1 The rate on capital gains is one-half the ordinary income tax rate.
2 The federal basic personal amount comprises two elements: the base amount (CA$14,538 for 2025) and an additional amount (CA$1,591 for 2025). The additional amount is reduced for individuals with net income exceeding CA$177,882 and is fully eliminated for individuals with net income exceeding CA$253,414. Consequently, the additional amount is clawed back on net income exceeding CA$177,882 until the additional tax credit of CA$239 is eliminated; this results in additional federal income tax (e.g., 0.32% on ordinary income) on net income between CA$177,883 and CA$253,414.
Personal tax credits
This budget proposes changes to the following personal credits/amounts:
- Basic personal amount — Increase in the basic personal amount from CA$14,250 to CA$14,650 and to CA$15,000 for 2025 and 2026, respectively
- Low-income tax reduction — Similar CA$400 and CA$350 increases in the income threshold for the low-income tax reduction to CA$22,650 and to CA$23,000 for 2025 and 2026, respectively
- Spousal and equivalent amounts — Increase in the spouse or common-law partner amount, as well as in the amount for an eligible dependent, from CA$12,103 to CA$12,443 for 2025 and to CA$12,740 for 2026, and increase in the related income threshold from CA$1,210 to CA$1,244 for 2025 and to CA$1,274 for 2026
Other tax measures
Tobacco tax
The budget proposes to increase the tobacco tax rate per cigarette from CA$0.2952 to CA$0.3000, effective 28 April 2025.
Real property transfer tax
The budget proposes to increase the real property transfer tax rate from 1% to 2% once a CA$1m threshold is reached, effective 28 April 2025. Although no further details are provided in the budget, it is presumed that the 2% rate will apply where the amount subject to the tax (i.e., the greater of the consideration for the transfer of a real property or its assessed value) is CA$1m or higher.
It is also proposed that the current first-time-homebuyers exemption from the tax will not apply where the consideration or the assessed value is equal to or above the CA$1m threshold. The new 2% rate will apply.