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Sounds like you might vote for our current PM,
or at least not be too upset with him, like me.
(our current PM is a part of the "Conservative Party," and this label is at least somewhat literal. )
I believe income taxes were reduced too over the last 2-3 years,
due to "higher than expected revenues" from oil, gas and other natural resources...
So Canadians were hurting at the pump too as oil skyrocketed,
but it was nice that our government also gave us a little break to soften the blow.
Last edited by ColdCanadian; 07-04-2009 at 09:52 AM..
I actually despise hot weather. I hate being sweaty and nasty and the sleepless nights.
That's just how my body works though. I don't really like clear skies and obnoxious bright sun either - it just blinds me and burns my skin. Without a breeze it's absolutely miserable.
When it's cold I can slip on a jacket or coat and go out and feel fine.
Income tax is far more reasonable in Canada. For example, their tax free bracket actually seems indexed each year and is near $10,000 while Australia's has sat at $6,000 for several years now and their top tax bracket rate is under 30% while Australia's is 45%. That's absolutely ridiculous. On the other hand, Australians seem quite happy to pay high taxes. So many comments I have read claim that the wealthy can afford it and thus should pay.
I think families get a bigger break, tax-wise, here in Oz. Particularly if one parent stays at home. With a couple of kids you get a few thousand a year in family tax benefits. I found an old statement from 2002 and we got $4,380 for the year, and our income's on the higher end. Three, four kids, and depending on your income, you pretty much get all your income tax back through the family tax benefits.
I remember getting nothing in Canada, particularly when I took a break from work for a couple years. The only thing you'd get is a paltry amount of childcare deductions, if you worked, on the income tax return of the person earning the least. Peanuts. Maybe it's changed now.
Also, don't forget CPP and EI deductions off your paycheque in Canada as well.
Canada is better by virtue of being next to the United States. Australia is some dessert country in the middle of the ocean filled with the descendants of criminals.
I think families get a bigger break, tax-wise, here in Oz. Particularly if one parent stays at home. With a couple of kids you get a few thousand a year in family tax benefits. I found an old statement from 2002 and we got $4,380 for the year, and our income's on the higher end. Three, four kids, and depending on your income, you pretty much get all your income tax back through the family tax benefits.
Also, don't forget CPP and EI deductions off your paycheque in Canada as well.
Yeah, tax breaks for parents I believe is only for lower-middle class to poor families...
Something like if you make over $40K you're ineligible.
So this is "included" with the total (digusting) amount of Oz income tax?
Well that's good to know; no extract "surprises"
I believe we might have something like 3-5% of additional tax, taken by CPP and EI.
Canada is better by virtue of being next to the United States. Australia is some dessert country in the middle of the ocean filled with the descendants of criminals.
Yeah, tax breaks for parents I believe is only for lower-middle class to poor families...
Something like if you make over $40K you're ineligible.
Whereas, I believe, it's still available for single-income families on close to $100k here. Not much, but a little bit is better than nothing, considering your income tax rate at that level.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdCanadian
So this is "included" with the total (digusting) amount of Oz income tax?
Well that's good to know; no extract "surprises"
I believe we might have something like 3-5% of additional tax, taken by CPP and EI.
I'm not sure about the "disgusting" bit. I was under the impression that Canadian and Australian income tax rates weren't that much different, for the average wage earner. Have things changed that much since I've been away? We certainly don't pay as much as Europeans. Yet.
I'm not sure about the "disgusting" bit. I was under the impression that Canadian and Australian income tax rates weren't that much different, for the average wage earner. Have things changed that much since I've been away? We certainly don't pay as much as Europeans. Yet.
an average wage is about $60,000. Did a quick calculation for that and in Au you pay ~$11,800 tax (19.7% of income) while in Canada ~$8,800 (14.7% of income).
But if you were earning a huge salary, the difference would be phenomenal. If you were a highly paid neurosurgeon, for example, you'd be far better off in Canada. So it's likely that the better neurosurgeons would move to Canada. Australia misses out on the talent. But so many Australians don't seem to realize that.
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