Hiring credit for small business (HCSB)

The 2011 federal budget created a hiring credit for small business (HCSB), a credit intended to stimulate new employment and support small businesses. The latest federal budget proposes to extend the HCSB for 2012.

The HCSB gives small businesses relief from the employer’s share of employment insurance (EI) premiums paid in a year. It does this by crediting up to $1,000 on the payroll account, based on the increase in an employer’s EI premiums paid in one year over those paid in the year before.

For more information and the 2012 HCSB rules visit the CRA website.