All the information you need to calculate your British Columbia tax and credits is on the following pages. We have included two copies of Form T1C (B.C.) TC, British Columbia Tax, and Form T1C (B.C.), British Columbia Tax Credits. These forms and the Information Sheet About British Columbia Tax Credits are also available on the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency web site at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/1999-T1package/ . Complete the forms that apply to you, and attach a copy to your return.

What's new for 1999?

The basic British Columbia income tax has been reduced to 49.5% of basic federal tax. In addition, if your adjusted British Columbia income tax is more than $8,660, the surtax rate on the excess amount is 19%.

Questions about British Columbia tax and credits

If you have questions about British Columbia tax and credits, contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (formerly Revenue Canada). You can find the address and telephone numbers of your tax services office in the government section of your telephone book.

BC Family Bonus

The BC Family Bonus program includes the Basic BC Family Bonus (BCFB) and the BC Earned Income Benefit (BCEIB).

You and your family may be entitled to tax-free monthly payments under one or both parts of the BC Family Bonus program. These are initiatives of the Government of British Columbia and are designed to help low- and modest-income families with the cost of raising their children. Benefits are combined with the Canada Child Tax Benefit into a single monthly payment.

Basic BC Family Bonus

You may be entitled to receive a BCFB of up to $105 each month for each child under the age of 18. This amount will be reduced by the amount, if any, of National Child Benefit Supplement received. In addition, for a one-child family, the amount of the bonus is reduced by 8% of the amount that family net income exceeds $18,000; for families with two or more children, the bonus is reduced by 16%.

BC Earned Income Benefit

You may also be entitled to an earned income benefit of up to $50.41 per month for one child, $33.75 per month for a second child, and $27.50 for a third and each additional child. The benefit begins to be phased in once family earned income exceeds $3,750. The maximum benefit is reached for families with earned income of $10,000. For a one-child family, the amount of the benefit is reduced by 12.1% of the amount that family net income exceeds $20,921; for families with two children, the benefit is reduced by 20.2%; for families with three or more children, the benefit is reduced by 26.8%.

There is no need to apply separately to receive payments under the BC Family Bonus. We will use the information from the Canada Child Tax Benefit application to determine your eligibility for the program. You (and your spouse) should file your 1999 return(s) as soon as possible. The information you (and your spouse) give on your return(s) will determine how much you will get starting in July 2000. For more information, call toll free 1-800-387-1193.