Maternity Leave Question(s)? Advice....

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

There is a maximum that you get, i cant remember the exact amount but I think that you get $435 a week or something. It doesnt matter if you make $200,000 or $60,000 you will get the same amount. And yes you do pay income tax on top of that.

I guess you didn't finish reading my post. And NO there isn't any Tax taken off.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

I guess you didn't finish reading my post. And NO there isn't any Tax taken off.

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...lnk&cd=1&gl=ca

How much will you receive?

The basic benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a yearly maximum insurable amount of $42,300. This means you can receive a maximum payment of $447 per week. Your EI payment is a taxable income, meaning federal and provincial or territorial, if it applies, taxes will be deducted. To find out how we calculate the amount you will receive...
You could receive a higher benefit rate if you are in a low-income family — an income of less than $25,921— with children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) , you are entitled to the Family Supplement.
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[gildo]

They base the calculation it on unemployment rate in your region....so does this mean now that the unemployment rate is higher is a person to receive more money or less than if the unemployment rate is low?

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by Nancy

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...lnk&cd=1&gl=ca

How much will you receive?

The basic benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a yearly maximum insurable amount of $42,300. This means you can receive a maximum payment of $447 per week. Your EI payment is a taxable income, meaning federal and provincial or territorial, if it applies, taxes will be deducted. To find out how we calculate the amount you will receive...
You could receive a higher benefit rate if you are in a low-income family — an income of less than $25,921— with children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) , you are entitled to the Family Supplement.
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Sigh, if you like i will scan and show you any of our paystubs from Mat/Pat leave. No taxes have been taken off whatsoever. End of argument.

[Rathji]

Our stubs showed no taxes taken off as well.

[SportsJunky]

It is definitely taxed from what I've been reading at the gov.ab site. I wonder if they don't show the taxes deducted on the stubs?

[ken0042]

Or could mat leave be different WRT taxes? Like I know when I was off for a medical leave last summer, the amount I was paid by my company's insurance was non-taxable.

[tete]

From what I've heard, you have to request taxes being taken off or else it's likely you won't have any taken off. But rest assured, Revenue Canada will be taking their share come tax time. If taxes aren't being taken off, I'd be setting aside about 25% for the next income tax season.

[Eagle Eye]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Sigh, if you like i will scan and show you any of our paystubs from Mat/Pat leave. No taxes have been taken off whatsoever. End of argument.

Cant remember if they took it off each pay peroid or if my wife paid it in the end, but I do know she had to pay taxes on it (twice)

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Sigh, if you like i will scan and show you any of our paystubs from Mat/Pat leave. No taxes have been taken off whatsoever. End of argument.

Be prepared for CRA to collect those taxes at tax time then. So make sure you have some money set aside. All EI payments whether job loss, disability or maternity leave is taxable.

[csnarpy]

I called EI today, so i guess we got the maximum after taxes. They assured us that the taxes were taken off so no worries.

So i guess the maximum of 447/week is after taxes.

[Clarkey]

So how does one max out on this? My wife does ok financially.

[Rathji]

The basic benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a yearly maximum insurable amount of $42,300. This means you can receive a maximum payment of $447 per week. Your EI payment is a taxable income, meaning federal and provincial or territorial, if it applies, taxes will be deducted.

How it is calculated

Originally Posted by ken0042

At my previous job we had about a dozen women leave on mat leave, and they all talked about it being 1 year. Do you recall where you heard 2 years?

I did some digging at EI and I can't find anything other than they can extend your mat leave for up to 2 years if there is medical reasons. I called them and they said that Employment Standards covered the amount of time your employer has to hold your job.

Additionally, the only way you can use straight EI over Mat leave ( Which increases payment amount while shortening time off) is to be willing to work, but be medically unable to work. However having a child does not constitute medically unable to work for this purpose.

[Peanut]

I don't know if this is a government thing or just a policy at my company, but I know that with the "parental leave" (i.e. the 35 week portion), you are allowed to start that leave up to 17 weeks before expected due date. The "maternity leave" portion makes up the rest of the leave to come to 52 weeks total.

No matter when you start the leave though, you only get 52 weeks (split between yourself and your spouse if you choose). So if you leave early, they're only holding the job for 52 weeks from the date you start the "parental leave".

At least that's how I understand it where I'm working but I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere in Alberta. Hopefully I explained it okay!!