Ontario health and taxes for CR1

[mike777 0]

Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Credit

what are those?

[trailmix 77]

The tax on that, for Ontario (it varies by province), for 2010 would be about $61 - only taking in to account the basic non-refundable tax credits.

So the question - back to you - if she was working in whatever State you guys live in - how much income tax would she pay on $500 a week? (State plus Federal)

Edited January 20, 2010 by trailmix

[Carlawarla 1]

I was going to pipe in and say some nasty things, but I won't know, as it seems like you do have a sense of humour mike777. All this tax information though, you should just get a copy of your wife's last years income tax, or even her pay stub, and you'll see all the deductions she has taken off.

[Dan and Ali 3]

Hey Mike, There is definately the ups and downs to it. Yes, paying taxes is a down one but yes the maternity is an up.

.

I am on my year long maternity leave right now and let me tell you, your wife will be the envy of every mother in the US. Also, if she is still be taxed in Canada as "factual resident" she may also still be entitled to colled the Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Credit. So yes, she still paying the tax but she still may be able to benefit some.

The whole working in Canada and living in the US is something your wife is going to have to weigh the pros and cons about. Can she get the same paying job in the US that gives the same benefits or is it worth paying Canadian taxes.

This is so true. One of the things I am most sad about moving to the US is that I won't be able to get my year of maternity leave -- unless, of course, we happen to get pregnant super quickly ... which just might happen, but if it doesn't ... no employer in the US is going to even be able to compare to what Canada offers.

[mike777 0]

So the question - back to you - if she was working in whatever State you guys live in - how much income tax would she pay on $500 a week? (State plus Federal)

I honestly don't know. Good question, I'll have to find a paycheck/tax calculator

[mike777 0]

I defn plan on asking her.

Sorry if I'm offending anyone. I think the issue of politics is defn rearing its ugly head here. Thanks for all the help though.

[trailmix 77]

I defn plan on asking her.

Sorry if I'm offending anyone. I think the issue of politics is defn rearing its ugly head here. Thanks for all the help though.

I'm not offended at all, might have been in the beginning, but you have a different mindset - that's ok, it's what you grew up with etc - but i'm REALLY interested to know what the taxes would be on that $500 and then compare it to the Canadian rate - then take in to account what it would cost you two, per week, to add her to your healthcare plan.

The reason I am interested is because many Americans claim we have very high taxation rates - when if they look at it from a taxes plus healthcare fees perspective, they find there is not that much difference.

Maybe the deserves its own thread - interesting topic.

[mike777 0]

I'm not offended at all, might have been in the beginning, but you have a different mindset - that's ok, it's what you grew up with etc - but i'm REALLY interested to know what the taxes would be on that $500 and then compare it to the Canadian rate - then take in to account what it would cost you two, per week, to add her to your healthcare plan.

The reason I am interested is because many Americans claim we have very high taxation rates - when if they look at it from a taxes plus healthcare fees perspective, they find there is not that much difference.

Maybe the deserves its own thread - interesting topic.

This is a very interesting conversation. For instance, our government is trying to get socialized medicine going, and I know the taxes will go up. And taxes will probably be very close to your taxes. I think its all just a balance really, we don't have socialized medicine, so we pay less taxes, but then again, in college, I was poor, I just interned at my college, but I made not enough money where I was covered by my state for health care with no co pays. I've talked to some Canadians too that the health care is poor in Canada. Have you found that?

I can tell you from personal experience though, that my doctors I've had in the states seem to want to take the time to get to know you. i went to the clinic in Canada with my wife and the doctor there just seemed clueless and really didn't do or say much. Whats your opinion on health care in CAN vs the US?

[trailmix 77]

This is a very interesting conversation. For instance, our government is trying to get socialized medicine going, and I know the taxes will go up. And taxes will probably be very close to your taxes. I think its all just a balance really, we don't have socialized medicine, so we pay less taxes, but then again, in college, I was poor, I just interned at my college, but I made not enough money where I was covered by my state for health care with no co pays. I've talked to some Canadians too that the health care is poor in Canada. Have you found that?

I can tell you from personal experience though, that my doctors I've had in the states seem to want to take the time to get to know you. i went to the clinic in Canada with my wife and the doctor there just seemed clueless and really didn't do or say much. Whats your opinion on health care in CAN vs the US?

Yeah I think the good vs bad thing depends on people's personal experiences - that happens in Canada and the U.S. - there are good and bad Doctors everywhere.

I see nothing wrong, in general, with our healthcare system here (in Alberta). Certainly it can be improved and certainly some wait times are too long, but in general it is pretty good and the Doctors and Nurses, by and large are excellent.

[neiks 19]

I think healthcare quality can vary by province. I just think in Canada - if you are sick you go to the doctor and don't think about whether or not you can afford to go to the dr or not. I had baby in Canada all prenatal care and didn't pay a dime. Yes, there was long waits at the OBs office and U/S were scheduled for weeks in advance to get in but I felt I got good care. Had secon baby in US. Still felt like I had good care. Dr's wait were short and U/S were booked for the same day my Dr appointment. But now even with our "Good" private health insurance that we pay $600 a month for - there still was deductables and co-pays plus an U/S that wasn't covered that cost $300 - I would say the cost to have the baby in the US still cost a couple of grand and that was an uncomplicated deliver.

Yep, wait times, shortage of doctors, especially specialist are a big problem, but at least you are getting the care and don't have to worry about filing for bankrupcy or losing your house b/c you can't pay the hospital bill.

I admit it makes me a bit mad when the Canadian health system is uses a propaganda against healthcare in the US. If I had to choose - I would go with Canada's system anytime. But with that said - I don't know if it will work in the US with it's massive population.

That's just my thoughts.

[Revenesque 2]

Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Credit

what are those?

Mike, my hubby and I are in a similar situation as you (I live in Vancouver and he lives in Seattle) and we are waiting on my CR1. We're expecting a child this August. I'm planning to give birth in Canada and take 1-yr mat leave from work and get employment insurace for that year.

Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Credit is government subsidy to help care for child. I think Universal Child Care Credit is about $100 per child per month and ends when the child turns 7. The Child Tax Benefit is about $120 (goes gradually up depending on the child) per child per month, and ends when the child turns 18 (I think). So for the first 7 yrs, your child gets about $220/monthly, the income taxable in the Canadian mother or father's hand.

[Revenesque 2]

I can tell you from personal experience though, that my doctors I've had in the states seem to want to take the time to get to know you. i went to the clinic in Canada with my wife and the doctor there just seemed clueless and really didn't do or say much. Whats your opinion on health care in CAN vs the US?

Clinics by their nature are less personable. If you want a doctor who will take the time to get to know you, you would get a family doctor.

[Revenesque 2]

I admit it makes me a bit mad when the Canadian health system is uses a propaganda against healthcare in the US. If I had to choose - I would go with Canada's system anytime. But with that said - I don't know if it will work in the US with it's massive population.

That's just my thoughts.

I think it will work, especially with a massive population. However, you have very powerful and profitible entities (e.g. hospitals & medical industry, insurance industry, pharmaceutical industry) who profit with the status quo. For any effecting change to happen, it has to impact all three entities. Otherwise, healthcare in the US will never change.

Edited January 20, 2010 by Revenesque

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

What an interesting debate about Canadian/American healthcare!

Personally, this is what I see for both systems, based on my experiences...

Canadian:

Pro-It's Free for all.....

Con-Long Wait Times....

Con-High Taxes.....

Con-It's really not fair for all in ways...(Why should the rich get free healthcare too?)

Con-Not everything is covered....

American:

Pro-Quick Wait Times...

Con-High Costs...Co-Pays, Insurance Premiums, etc...(Why should one go broke/bankrupt paying for healthcare bills?)

Con-Confusing...(Eg. What are HMO and Co-Pays?) and Discriminatory (Eg. Pre-existing condition? Sorry, we don't accept this type of insurance)

Con-Too much paperwork and billing....

Con-Not everything is covered...

So depending on what your healthcare and other needs are, is really what system works best for you.

Sigh..I wish there was a system where we get "the best of both worlds".....Wishful thinking, I suppose......

But yeah, "healthcare reform" for both countries is definitely needed! Now if only somone can do something positive about such....(and not just talk about it for some political purposes...)....

Healthcare is a right, not a privillage!

What are your thoughts on healthcare?

Either way, I hope you all find the healthcare needs that is best for you and your family. And may you all stay healthy too!

Ant

Edited January 20, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[SapphireDreams 71]

I've never seen one of my wifes paychecks, but say a person earns 500 a week, what would they be earning after taxes are deducted, ballpark, in Canada.

I pay the same amount of tax here in the US on my income than I did in Canada. But, I do live in NYC, so I pay NYC tax as well as Federal and State (Lucky me).... however, my health insurance is extra too and I pay into Medicare, which I don't benefit from.

So I personally don't understand the whole Canadians pay more tax argument. Not true in my experience!!!