2022-2023 Employment Tax Changes
Employment Insurance Premiums - 2023
The 2023 Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate is set at 1.63% of insurable earnings for employees and 2.28% for employers who pay 1.4 times the employee rate, which has increased from 2022 rates of 1.58% and 2.21% respectively.
The Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) for 2023 will increase to $61,500 from $60,300 in 2022. The MIE is indexed on an annual basis and represents the ceiling up to which EI premiums are collected and the maximum amount considered in applications for EI benefits. The maximum annual EI contribution for a worker will increase by $49.71 to $1,002.45 (up $69.59 for employers to $1,403.43 per employee).
Ontario WSIB Premium Rates - 2023
The WSIB Maximum Insurable Earnings Ceiling for 2023 is $110,000, compared to $100,422 in 2022. Changes to the Maximum Insurable Earnings Ceiling are directly linked to changes in average earnings in Ontario as measured by Statistics Canada, and provisions under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Meal Allowance - 2023
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has not increased the amount of meal allowance under the simplified method (flat rate per person). It remains at $23 per meal since January 1, 2020. When claiming meal expenses on a personal income tax and benefit return, the CRA allows transport employees, and individuals claiming moving expenses, medical expenses, or the northern residents deduction, to calculate their meal expenses claim using the simplified method.
Ontario Minimum Wage Increase - Oct.1, 2022
The general minimum wage rates in Ontario increased on October 1, 2022. The increase to the general minimum wage is 50 cents, which brings the new rate up from $15.00 per hour to $15.50 per hour.
The student minimum wage increased from $14.10 per hour to $14.60 per hour. This rate applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays.
The liquor servers’ minimum wage rates are now equal to the general minimum wage of $15.50 per hour.
The homeworkers minimum wage increased from $16.50 per hour to $17.05 per hour. Homeworkers are employees who do paid work in their own homes. For example, they may sew clothes for a clothing manufacturer, answer telephone calls for a call centre, or write software for a high-tech company. Note that students of any age (including students under the age of 18 years) who are employed as homeworkers must be paid the homeworker’s minimum wage.
The above information is of a general nature only and should not be relied upon for specific situations. Call Marlies Y Hendricks, CPA at 416-766-3941 to discuss your best options and set up an appointment.
