Ontario health and taxes for CR1

[trailmix 77]

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!!!

I suspect it's not true in a lot of cases - however that is the way it is 'sold' and people are buying.

[antda 13]

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!!!

Sap-Lol..New York State taxes are amongst the highest in the USA actually....

But compared to Canadian taxes......that's nothing...lol.....

For example, NYS sales tax...8%.....Canadian sales tax....15% (or something like that)....enough said....

Then there's also gas prices....Cheaper to fill up the car in the USA than in Canada...lol....

But then the healthcare is cheaper/free in Canada than in the USA....

It all balances out, I suppose..lol....

(And yeah, many Americans here are shocked when I tell them this...go figure...

"You haven't seen high taxes yet...unless you've been to Canada!" I say...)

Ant

[trailmix 77]

Sap-Lol..New York State taxes are amongst the highest in the USA actually....

But compared to Canadian taxes......that's nothing...lol.....

For example, NYS sales tax...8%.....Canadian sales tax....15% (or something like that)....enough said....

Then there's also gas prices....Cheaper to fill up the car in the USA than in Canada...lol....

But then the healthcare is cheaper/free in Canada than in the USA....

It all balances out, I suppose..lol....

(And yeah, many Americans here are shocked when I tell them this...go figure...

"You haven't seen high taxes yet...unless you've been to Canada!" I say...)

Ant

Well I guess i'm wrong then, because based on the (admittedly small) amount of research I have done, in at least a few states the taxes plus health care premium costs meet or exceed what they are in Alberta.

Plus we have to remember that not all Provinces are the same - in Alberta we pay 6% GST in sales tax - that's it.

So when you say "You haven't seen high taxes yet...unless you've been to Canada!" - what do you base that on Ant?

[antda 13]

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.

Rev-Sigh..I wish there was something like this in the USA too....

But then again...It all balances out..lower taxes here....no rebates....higher taxes there...rebates...

Oh well...

Everyone-

By the way, for US tax purposes, do I get some sort of refund or something like that for claiming a child as a dependent or similar? Anyone know? Help!

Ant

[antda 13]

Well I guess i'm wrong then, because based on the (admittedly small) amount of research I have done, in at least a few states the taxes plus health care premium costs meet or exceed what they are in Alberta.

Plus we have to remember that not all Provinces are the same - in Alberta we pay 6% GST in sales tax - that's it.

So when you say "You haven't seen high taxes yet...unless you've been to Canada!" - what do you base that on Ant?

Trailmix-Oops..Sorry..I forgot about Alberta...No PST there! Yeah they have one of the lowest rates of taxes in Canada..my apologies there...

Alberta=exception to the rule....Why can't other provinces be this way too?

Lol..I'm basing that on...umm...Ontario..and other provinces that have both the GST and PST and/or HST and high taxes like that....

Ant

Edited January 20, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Revenesque 2]

I've done quite a bit a research on my own to come to the conclusion that income taxes (including payroll and healthcare) between the two countries are very similar so that the differences are negligible.

Where they differ is living costs: Sales taxes, retail prices, gas, rent, mortgage, food, etc, which puts Canada ahead of the US in terms on costs. Oddly, property taxes in Canada are cheaper than in the US.

[trailmix 77]

I've done quite a bit a research on my own to come to the conclusion that income taxes (including payroll and healthcare) between the two countries are very similar so that the differences are negligible.

Where they differ is living costs: Sales taxes, retail prices, gas, rent, mortgage, food, etc, which puts Canada ahead of the US in terms on costs. Oddly, property taxes in Canada are cheaper than in the US.

Yes, consumer goods are cheaper in most cases, I wonder what the basic salary comparisons are though - for middle income earners.

Edited January 20, 2010 by trailmix

[antda 13]

Where they differ is living costs: Sales taxes, retail prices, gas, rent, mortgage, food, etc, which puts Canada ahead of the US in terms on costs. Oddly, property taxes in Canada are cheaper than in the US.

Rev- I agree....The "standard of living" costs are certainly different between the both countries! Definitely cheaper in the USA (lol..except for the property taxes and immmigration fees and healthcare costs...) than in Canada. Sigh, the low costs is one of the reasons why I decided to go to the USA, instead of my husband coming to Canada.....Oh well, Canada is still a great place to visit (and if I could afford it, live in too)......

Ant

[Revenesque 2]

Yes, consumer goods are cheaper in most cases, I wonder what the basic salary comparisons are though - for middle income earners.

At least in the field of IT, it's higher in the US than in Canada. I'm currently earning higher than the average in my profession in Canada because I work in a government agency. However, I'm aware I could earn 10 -15% higher in the States, assuming I can find a job in this post-recession.

[sly_wolf 199]

Just to add something to this thread. Under certain cirmcumstances, I understand that you may be able to deduct US medical expenses on your Canadian income tax return.

One condition .... your world income for the year has to represent at least 90% Canadian employment income. I am trying to get more info on this subject.

[trailmix 77]

At least in the field of IT, it's higher in the US than in Canada. I'm currently earning higher than the average in my profession in Canada because I work in a government agency. However, I'm aware I could earn 10 -15% higher in the States, assuming I can find a job in this post-recession.

Interesting, this must be one of those things that varies by State as well. For Florida, my Husband was doing comparable work in Florida to what he was doing in Canada - the only difference was the company in Florida was much larger.

His earnings in Canada were around about 50% higher in Canada than in Florida. He spoke with several agencies, to see if the company he was working for was just an anamoly - but no, that's pretty much the norm apparently.

While housing (purchase) is cheaper in Orlando than in Calgary (by about 3 times) rents are about the same and food costs, for the most part, are not that much cheaper (but they do have great sales). Certainly things are not 50% cheaper though! Especially when you figure in 3-4 hundred a month for health care insurance as well.

Edited January 21, 2010 by trailmix

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Just weighing in on the wait times thing - I had less long waits in Canada than I have ever had here in the US. I have to make an appointment 5 to 6 months in advance for my annual physical because that is how far ahead they are booked. If I have a medical emergency I can't get an appointment to see my doctor (he works in a clinic) that day. If I am lucky, I might be able to get an appointment with the Physician's assistant. I have to go and wait - average of 5 hours - in an emergency clinic associated with my doctor's practice. Average wait time for appointments runs around 2 hours except with my endocrinologist who is pretty good about keeping on time. I had to wait 4 months to get an appointment with him though when I arrived.

My hellish trip to emergency with all of the symptoms of a stroke was a nightmare. I arrived at 11:30 on a Sunday evening. I didn't get seen by a doctor until 6:30 the following morning when I was admitted with a suspected stroke. Once the doctor saw me things moved quickly - I had a CT scan right away and then was scheduled for an MRI later that afternoon - although the results were not read until 14 hours later when the specialist returned to work! It wasn't a stroke so even though the whole right side of my body was numb and immobile they released me the following day without a prognosis. My chiropractor was the one to diagnose a herniated disk and start treatment. The stay in hospital cost $18,000 with our share being $1200.

My emergency experiences in Ontario? I arrived New Year's Day in horrible pain, fever, chills and was admitted immediately. Within half an hour I was on IV and a diagnosis made of kidney infection and treatment started. I spent 5 days in hospital. The cost - $0.

My brother went to emergency with horrible abdominal pain. He was admitted immediately and diagnosed with a perforated bowel. He was in the operating room within the hour. He spent the next 10 days in hospital recovering with a coloscopy and then 6 months later went in to have it reversed. Cost to him? $0.

I live in dread of when my husband retires and we have to try and find affordable health insurance here. As it is co pays are $25 to $50 depending on the doctor and we pay 20% of expenses -plus premiums. It is considered good health insurance.

[Revenesque 2]

Interesting, this must be one of those things that varies by State as well. For Florida, my Husband was doing comparable work in Florida to what he was doing in Canada - the only difference was the company in Florida was much larger.

His earnings in Canada were around about 50% higher in Canada than in Florida. He spoke with several agencies, to see if the company he was working for was just an anamoly - but no, that's pretty much the norm apparently.

While housing (purchase) is cheaper in Orlando than in Calgary (by about 3 times) rents are about the same and food costs, for the most part, are not that much cheaper (but they do have great sales). Certainly things are not 50% cheaper though! Especially when you figure in 3-4 hundred a month for health care insurance as well.

Wow! 50% earnings higher in Canada than in the US--that is quite unheard of! I guess it depends on supply and demand of the employment labor one is providing in each area.

Here in Vancouver, rent, food, utilities are about the same as Seattle, but housing...ACK! Beyond bubble territory! Otherwise consumer goods and gas is cheaper in Seattle. Probably not compelling enough for me to move to Seattle, except my hubby is there.

[Carlawarla 1]

I was making approximately 50% higher salary in Canada than I would to have a comparable job here in the U.S. as well. I retired in Canada when I left, and I'm volunteering now. Housing in St. Louis is comparable to Saskatoon. Our employer pays 80% of our health care costs here, and we have no "extras". No dental, vision, etc. My employer in Canada paid for my extras. Here in the U.S. Even with my co-pays, with my dental, vision, Dr.'s visits, blood work, and prescription medication, our costs were $6,000.00! Property taxes here are much cheaper, and of course food is.