2018-19 British Columbia budget summary

February 20, 2018, Finance Minister Carole James tabled British Columbia’s 2018–19 budget. This is the first full budget presented by the province’s new government; it outlines an overall plan to increase affordability for residents of BC, with a primary focus on the need for affordable housing solutions and the demand for more affordable, available childcare. 

Building on the legacy that was set by the previous government, the government has delivered the province’s sixth balanced budget in a row, and continues to project surpluses over the next three years.

Debt levels, however, are expected to increase and are projected to reach $77 billion by the end of 2020–21.

Business tax measures

Corporate tax rates

No changes to the corporate tax rates, or the $500,000 small business limit, are proposed. 

Film incentive BC tax credit

The film incentive BC tax credit is expanded to include scriptwriting expenditures on BC labour incurred by a corporation prior to the completion of the final script stage of the production for expenditures incurred on or after February 21, 2018.

Personal tax measures

Personal income tax rates

No changes to personal income tax rates are proposed. The rates for 2018 are as follows:

• 5.06% on the first tax bracket (up to $39,676)
• 7.70% on the second tax bracket (from $39,677 up to $79,353)
• 10.50% on the third tax bracket (from $79,354 up to $91,107)
• 12.29% on the fourth tax bracket (from $91,108 up to $110,630)
• 14.70% on the fifth tax bracket (from $110,631 up to $150,000)
• 16.80% on the sixth tax bracket (over $150,000)

Download the 2018 British Columbia budget summary  [ 376 kb ]