Income splitting is a tax planning strategy that allows eligible Canadian taxpayers to effectively redistribute their income among family members, reducing the overall tax burden and potentially saving money. This strategy is particularly useful for households with a significant income disparity between spouses or partners.
Under the Canadian tax system, income splitting can be achieved through various means, including the use of spousal or common-law partner credits, transferring income-generating assets or investments, or paying salary or dividends to a lower-income family member. However, it’s important to note that not all taxpayers are eligible for income splitting, and the specific requirements can vary depending on the type of income and the relationship between family members.
1. Spousal or Common-Law Partner Credits:
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers spousal or common-law partner credits, which allow individuals to transfer a portion of their non-refundable tax credits to their spouses or common-law partners. These credits include the basic personal amount, age amount, pension income amount, and disability amount, among others. To be eligible for these credits, couples must be married or in a common-law partnership and living together. However, couples cannot transfer income or monetary benefits to each other for the purpose of this credit.
2. Pension Income Splitting:
Canadian retirees who receive eligible pension income may be able to split up to 50% of their pension income with their spouse or common-law partner. This option is available to individuals over the age of 65, as well as those who are eligible for the pension income tax credit. By splitting pension income, couples can potentially reduce their overall tax liability, as income is shifted to the lower-income spouse or partner who may be in a lower tax bracket.
3. Transferring Income-Generating Assets:
Another way to achieve income splitting in Canada is by transferring income-generating assets to a lower-income family member. This can include rental properties, investments, or other sources of income. However, it’s important to carefully consider the tax implications of these transfers, as the CRA may impose attribution rules that attribute the income generated from transferred assets back to the transferor.
4. Paying Salary or Dividends to Family Members:
Business owners or professionals may be able to engage in income splitting by paying salaries or dividends to family members who are shareholders or employees of their business. However, it’s important to note that the CRA has implemented the “kiddie tax” rules, which limit the ability to split income with minors. In general, the CRA scrutinizes these types of arrangements to ensure that the payments made to family members are reasonable and reflective of the work performed or the investment made.
It’s worth mentioning that the Canadian government has implemented measures to limit the effectiveness of income splitting for high-income individuals. For example, the Tax on Split Income (TOSI), also known as the “kiddie tax,” was introduced to prevent high-income individuals from splitting income with lower-income family members, particularly children under the age of 18. The TOSI rules impose higher tax rates on certain types of income, such as dividends, trust income, and partnership income, that are earned by individuals subject to the rules.
In conclusion, income splitting can be an effective tax planning strategy for eligible Canadian taxpayers. Whether through spousal or common-law partner credits, pension income splitting, asset transfers, or salary/dividend payments, income can be redistributed to lower-income family members, potentially reducing the overall tax burden. However, it’s crucial to understand and comply with the CRA’s rules and regulations surrounding income splitting to ensure eligibility and avoid potential penalties or audits. Consulting with a tax professional or financial advisor can provide specific guidance on income splitting strategies and their potential benefits for individual circumstances.