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Corporate income tax rates and business limits

Publication date: March 1, 2021

Corporate income tax rates are expressed as a percentage of taxable income earned in the province.

B.C. has two rates of corporation income tax – the general rate and the lower small business rate.

The lower small business rate is applicable to Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) with active business income eligible for the federal small business deduction.

Generally, active business income is income earned by a corporation from a business other than a specified investment business or a personal service business.

The lower small business rate applies to active business income up to the B.C. business limit of:

  • $500,000 effective January 1, 2010
  • $400,000 effective January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009 
  • $300,000 from April 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004

The general rate applies to income over $500,000 and any income that is not eligible for the lower small business rate (e.g. investment income).

When the rate or the business limit changes during the tax year, you have to base your calculation on the number of days in the year that each rate or limit is in effect.

General corporate income tax rate

 Effective January 1, 2018  12.0%
 April 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017  11.0%
 January 1, 2011 - March 31, 2013  10.0%
 January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010  10.5%
 July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009  11.0%
 July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2008  12.0%
 January 1, 2002 - June 30, 2005  13.5%
 July 1, 1993 - December 31, 2001  16.5%

Small business corporate income tax rate

 Effective April 1, 2017  2.0%
 December 1, 2008 - March 31, 2017  2.5%
 July 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008  3.5%
 January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2008  4.5%
 July 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000  4.75%
 July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000  5.5%
 January 1, 1999 - June 30, 1999  8.5%

Get answers to your questions about the preferential tax treatment available for credit unions.

Contact information

Contact Canada Revenue Agency with your questions about corporate income tax.

In Canada Toll Free
1-800-959-5525