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Frequently Asked Questions (Employer)

Access FAQ’s for Apprentices here

General questions:

What programs are eligible?

Does BC offer a credit for the first two levels of a Red Seal Program?

Who can claim the Enhanced Tax Credit?

Does an apprentice have to complete level 1 or 2 of a non-Red Seal program for the employer to qualify?

How does the first 24 months credit work?

How are the completion credits for levels 3 and higher different from the credit for the first 24 months?

Are salary and wages paid before January 1, 2007 eligible?

Are proprietors eligible for the credit?

Are partnerships eligible for the credit?

What is included in salary and wages?

How is the credit claimed?

Are the Training Tax Credits refundable?

Is the refund taxable for employers?

What level or hours has the apprentice completed?

What happens when two or more related employers employ the same apprentice?

Who administers the Training Tax Credit?

Want to know more?



Answers:

What programs are eligible?

Red Seal (Interprovincial) and B.C.-Recognised (non-Red Seal) programs administered through the Industry Training Authority are eligible. For a complete list of programs click here

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Does BC offer a credit for the first two levels of a Red Seal Program?

B.C. does not offer a Regular Tax Credit for the first two levels of a Red Seal program. However, the federal government offers a tax credit to employers for the first 24 months that an apprentice is enrolled in a Red Seal program. For more information go to the federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit. B.C. does offer an Enhanced Tax Credit to employers who employ eligible apprentices (see next question) that qualify for the federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.

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Who can claim the Enhanced Tax Credit?

If an employee either qualifies for the federal disability tax credit or is a First Nations person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada) the employer may claim the Enhanced Tax Credit.

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Does an apprentice have to complete level 1 or 2 of a non-Red Seal program for the employer to qualify?

No. The employer gets a credit based on the salary and wages paid to an apprentice during the 24 months of the apprenticeship. It does not depend on the apprentice completing levels 1 or 2.

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How does the first 24 months credit work?

The employer gets a credit of 10% (to a maximum of $2,000) of the salary and wages paid to an apprentice in the tax year while the apprentice was still in the first 24 months of the apprenticeship. The start of the apprenticeship is the date the apprentice is registered in an eligible program with the Industry Training Authority.

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How are the completion credits for levels 3 and higher different form the credit for the first 24 months?

The credit for the first 24 months is not based on the apprentice completing a level. The 24 month credit is based on the salary and wages paid in the first 24 months.
The Completion Tax Credit is based on the apprentice completing levels 3 or higher of a program. When the apprentice completes level 3 or higher, the employer is entitled to a percentage of the salary and wages paid in the 12 months prior to the apprentice completing the level. The 12 month period can straddle tax years provided that the salary and wages paid before January 1, 2007 and not included.

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Are salary and wages paid before January 1, 2007 eligible?

No. The Training Tax Credit came into effect on January 1, 2007 and only wages paid from January 1, 2007 onwards are eligible.

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Are proprietors eligible for the credit?

Yes. Proprietors who are resident in British Columbia are eligible for the employer’s tax credit.

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Are partnerships eligible for the credit?

Yes. A corporation or an individual that is a member of a partnership, other than a specified member, can claim their proportionate share of the partnership’s Training Tax Credit.

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What is included in salary and wages?

Eligible salary and wages are the gross salary and wages payable by the employer to an eligible apprentice. It does not include remuneration based on profits, bonuses, and taxable benefits including stock options, and certain unpaid remuneration.

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How is the credit claimed?

Proprietors complete form T1014-1 and file it with their T1 income tax return. Corporations complete form Sch428 and file it with their T2 income tax return. To access these forms through the Small Business and Revenue website, click here.

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Are the Training Tax Credits refundable?

Yes.

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Is the refund taxable for employer?

Yes. The Training Tax Credits are government assistance that is either included in taxable income or a reduction of expenses or cost.

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What level or hours has the apprentice completed?

All the information needed to claim the credit is on the apprentice’s Industry Training Authority transcript. For non-Red Seal programs, the first 24 months is measured by the date appearing on the apprentice’s ITA trainee registration card.

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What happens when two or more related employers employ the same apprentice?

Special rules apply to ensure that the maximum amount for a credit is shared between related employers. Click here for more information.

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Who administers the Training Tax Credit?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) reviews and audits claims and issues refund cheques where appropriate. If a person or a corporation disagrees with the amount of the credit assessed by the CRA, a Notice of Objections should be filed within 90 days of the date of the notice of Assessment.

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Want to know more?

For more information visit the Training Tax Credit homepage or call 1 800 663-7867.

 

 
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