PF1 Questions and Answers

For employees whose province of employment is outside Quebec (including Saskatchewan), EI premiums are calculated by multiplying the employee’s insurable earnings by the employee EI premium rate for the year, up to the annual maximum insurable earnings. For 2026, the employee EI premium rate outside Quebec is $1.63 per $100 of insurable earnings (which is 1.63%).

Jasmine earns $500.00 weekly and (based on the question) we assume all earnings are insurable and she has not reached the annual maximum. Her EI premium is:

$500.00 × 1.63% = $500.00 × 0.0163 = $8.15.

This amount is deducted from the employee’s pay and later remitted to the CRA as part of the employer’s regular payroll remittance. The maximum insurable earnings for 2026 is $68,900, but at $500 per week she would only hit the maximum later in the year (if at all), so the weekly premium calculation above applies.

Step 1 — Gross Taxable Earnings (GTE)

Salary per pay: 49,500 ÷ 24 = $2,062.50

Taxable car allowance: $50.00

Group term life taxable benefit:

Coverage = 2 × 49,500 = 99,000

Monthly premium = (99,000 ÷ 1,000) × 0.62 = 99 × 0.62 = 61.38

Semi-monthly benefit = 61.38 ÷ 2 = $30.69

GTE = $2,143.19

Step 2 — Pensionable Earnings (PE)

PE = $2,112.50 (2,062.50 + 50.00)

Step 3 — Insurable Earnings (IE)

IE = $2,112.50

Step 4 — Net Taxable Income (CRA) (NTI)

RPP = 5% × 2,062.50 = $103.13

Union dues = 2% × 2,062.50 = $41.25

NTI (CRA) = 2,143.19 − 103.13 − 41.25 = $1,998.81

Step 5 — Net Taxable Income (RQ)

$0.00

Step 6 — CPP (base CPP)

Period exemption = 3,500 ÷ 24 = $145.83

Contributory = 2,112.50 − 145.83 = $1,966.67

CPP = 1,966.67 × 5.95% = $117.02

CPP = $117.02

Step 6B — 2nd CPP (CPP2)

CPP2 = $0.00

Step 7 — EI premium

EI = 2,112.50 × 1.63% = $34.43

EI = $34.43

Step 8 — QPIP

$0.00

Step 9 — Federal income tax (CC1, semi-monthly)

$156.10

Step 10 — Alberta income tax (CC1, semi-monthly)

$73.20

Step 11 — Total deductions

Statutory: 117.02 + 34.43 + 156.10 + 73.20 = $380.75

Other: RPP 103.13 + Union 41.25 + United Way 20.00 + Social club 5.00 = $169.38

Total deductions = $550.13

Step 12 — Net pay

Cash pay (salary + car allowance) = 2,062.50 + 50.00 = $2,112.50

Net pay = 2,112.50 − 550.13 = $1,562.37

This is a benefit because the employer is providing access to an automobile (leased by the employer) that the employee can use for personal driving as well as business. The CRA explains that when an employer-owned or employer-leased automobile is made available for personal use, the employee receives a taxable automobile benefit, generally made up of a standby charge (availability of the vehicle) and potentially an operating expense benefit (if the employer pays operating costs and the employee has personal kilometres).

It is not an allowance (which is typically a cash amount given to the employee), and it is not an expense reimbursement (repayment of employee-incurred business expenses). It is also not an earning (pay for work performed). Payroll’s role is to track availability days/months, business vs personal kilometres, any employee reimbursements, apply the CRA calculation methods, and report the taxable benefit on the employee’s information slip with the correct taxable benefit treatment.

Net pay (often called “take-home pay”) is what the employee actually receives after all withholdings and other deductions are taken from their earnings. In Canadian payroll practice, the starting point is gross earnings (regular wages plus any taxable amounts that must be included in income). From gross earnings, payroll subtracts total deductions, which include statutory deductions (such as CPP/QPP, EI, and income tax) and any authorized non-statutory deductions (for example, union dues, benefits premiums, pension contributions, or garnishments where applicable). This is why the most accurate generic formula is gross earnings − total deductions. CRA payroll guidance reflects this structure by requiring employers to calculate gross pay, determine the correct statutory deductions, and then arrive at the amount paid to the employee after those deductions are withheld and remitted.

Options C and D are incomplete or incorrect because “total tax” is only one part of deductions, and “net taxable income” is not a payroll calculation base in the way the question frames it. Option A is also incorrect because “pensionable earnings” is only relevant to CPP/QPP calculations, not the overall net pay formula.

Even though the question uses the word “reimbursed,” the key fact isno receipts. In CRA terms, when an employee is paid a set amount or is not required to substantiate the expense, the payment functions like anallowance, not an accountable reimbursement. CRA’s guidance on uniforms/special or protective clothing states these amounts aregenerally taxable, and only in specific circumstances under CRA administrative policy would they be non-taxable.

CRA interpretations also reinforce that where employeesdo not have to provide receipts, a clothing allowance is generally ataxable employment benefit; non-taxable treatment is linked to substantiation and meeting strict conditions (for example, safety footwear with receipts).

So, because Helen’s payment isnot supported by receipts, it is best classified as ataxable allowance(option A). Payroll should include the amount in taxable income, apply required withholdings as applicable, and ensure policy/records support whatever treatment is used.

The special$1,500transfer eligibility connected to retiring allowances is based specifically onyears (or part-years) of service before 1989where the employee hadno vested employer pension/DPSP benefitsfor those years. CRA explains that, in addition to the $2,000-per-year pre-1996 rule, you can also transfer an additional$1,500 for each year or part-year before 1989that meets the vesting condition.

Phan’s employment began in1992, which isafter 1989. Because he haszeroservice before 1989, there arenoyears that can qualify for the $1,500 portion—regardless of whether he belonged to a pension plan.

Therefore, the number of eligible years for the$1,500component is0(option A). Payroll must base this calculation on actual service dates, including any related-employer service if applicable, but here the start date alone makes the $1,500 portion ineligible.

Step 1 — Mara’s gross earnings / taxable earnings components

Semi-monthly salary = $54,500.00 ÷ 24 = $2,270.83

Life insurance coverage = 2 × $54,500 = $109,000

Monthly premium (excl. tax) = 109 × $0.57 = $62.13

9% insurance premium tax = $62.13 × 1.09 = $67.72

Semi-monthly taxable benefit = $67.72 ÷ 2 = $33.86

Health premium (excl. tax) = $260.00

9% insurance premium tax = $260.00 × 1.09 = $283.40

Semi-monthly taxable benefit (Quebec) = $283.40 ÷ 2 = $141.70

GTE (total taxable in Quebec) = 2,270.83 + 33.86 + 141.70 = $2,446.39

Step 2 — Pensionable earnings (PE)

For this calculation, treat salary + taxable group term life as pensionable for QPP withholding, while EI remains non-insurable for non-cash benefits.

PE = 2,270.83 + 33.86 = $2,304.69

Step 3 — Insurable earnings (IE)

IE = salary only = $2,270.83

Step 4 — Net taxable income (CRA) (NTI)

Federal taxable income uses salary plus taxable benefits used for federal withholding tables here.

NTI (CRA) = $2,304.69

Step 5 — Net taxable income (RQ) (NTI)

NTI (RQ) = $2,446.39

Step 6 — QPP contribution

Use the QPP employee rate (basic + additional) and apply the basic exemption prorated per pay period.

Basic exemption per semi-monthly period = $3,500 ÷ 24 = $145.83

Contributory earnings = PE − 145.83 = 2,304.69 − 145.83 = $2,158.86

QPP = 2,158.86 × 6.4% = $138.17

QPP = $138.17

Step 7 — EI premium

Quebec EI employee rate for 2026: 1.30%.

EI = 2,270.83 × 0.0130 = $29.52

Step 8 — QPIP premium

Use the Revenu Québec employee QPIP rate shown for 2026.

QPIP = 2,270.83 × 0.00430 = $9.76

Step 9 — Federal income tax

From the CRA Quebec federal tax deductions table (24 pay periods), at pay $2,304.69 (range 2288–2306) and claim code 3, the federal tax is:

Federal tax = $139.95

Step 10 — Quebec provincial income tax

From TP-1015.TI.24 (24 pay periods) at remuneration $2,446.39 (range 2445.00–2464.99) and deduction code C, the tax is:

Quebec tax = $214.81

Step 11 — Total deductions

QPP 138.17

EI 29.52

QPIP 9.76

Federal 139.95

Quebec 214.81

= $532.21

Total deductions = $532.21

Step 12 — Net pay

Net pay is based on cash pay (salary) minus deductions (tax still applies even when part of taxable income is a benefit).

Net pay = 2,270.83 − 532.21 = $1,738.62

The CRA sets out that the “eligible” portion of a retiring allowance that may be transferred directly to an RRSP/RPP under special rules is based on years of service before 1996 (and potentially an additional amount for certain pre-1989 years if specific pension/DPSP conditions are met). The CRA explains the eligible part is $2,000 for each year (or part-year) of service before 1996, plus you may be able to transfer an additional $1,500 for each year (or part-year) of service before 1989 where no employer pension/DPSP benefit was vested (or previously paid) for those years.

This is why the correct basis in the answer choices is the employee’s years of service prior to 1996, not wages, age, or average earnings. Payroll needs this service history (including related employers where applicable) to correctly identify the eligible/non-eligible split and apply the right withholding and transfer reporting.

Commission employees have a specific ROE rule. Service Canada’s ROE Guide explains that for employees whose earnings consist mainly of commissions, an interruption of earnings occurs only when the employment contract is terminated—unless the employee stops working due to specified EI-related reasons such as illness/injury/quarantine, maternity/pregnancy, parental leave, or compassionate care/family caregiver leaves.

This means the usual 7-day rule (7 consecutive days with no work and no insurable earnings) generally does not trigger an interruption of earnings for mainly-commission employees as long as the contract continues. In other words, if the employee stops working for reasons like vacation or a leave of absence but remains under contract, Service Canada indicates there is no interruption of earnings and therefore no ROE is issued just because of time without commissions/work.

So the correct choice is when the employment relationship/contract is terminated (option C).

Block 11 on the ROE is the “Last day for which paid,” meaning the last day the employee received insurable earnings. In most terminations, this is the employee’s last day of work. Service Canada notes Block 11 only moves beyond the last day worked when the employee continues to receive insurable earnings after the last day of work due to paid leave (such as vacation leave or sick leave) or salary continuance.

In this question, Charmaine’s employment ended April 13, and she received a lump-sum final pay that included wages in lieu of notice and vacation pay. These amounts are typically reported as special payments (for example, pay in lieu of notice is reported as such), but they do not automatically change Block 11 unless they are paid as an actual paid-leave period or as salary continuance (where regular pay continues and the ROE is not issued until the continuance ends).

A SIN that begins with “9” (often called a 900-series SIN) is issued to temporary workers—people who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents—and who are authorized to work in Canada. Service Canada’s employer guidance explicitly states that SINs beginning with “9” are issued to temporary workers who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents, and these SINs are valid only until the expiry date shown on the immigration document that authorizes the person to work in Canada.

Service Canada also advises employers to confirm that employees with a SIN starting with “9” remain authorized to work and that their immigration document has not expired.

So, options A–C are incorrect because a 900-series SIN is not for permanent residents (“landed immigrants”), not for Canadians whose SIN “expires,” and not based on working outside Canada. It specifically signals temporary status tied to work authorization in Canada.

An ROE is required when an employee experiences an interruption of earnings, such as 7 consecutive calendar days with no work and no insurable earnings (the “7-day rule”), or when earnings fall below 60% of regular weekly earnings for specific reasons (the “60% rule”). That means a 6-week unpaid leave (A) typically triggers an interruption of earnings, and a drop to 40% of normal earnings (B) meets the “below 60%” threshold (when due to the listed leave reasons). A layoff with no recall (D) also triggers an interruption of earnings under the 7-day rule.

However, Service Canada lists a special situation for a change in ownership: the former employer does not have to issue ROEs if (1) there is no actual break in the employee receiving earnings, and (2) payroll records are available to the new owner and the new owner agrees to issue a single ROE covering both periods if needed. That is exactly option C, so no ROE is required in that scenario.

Overtime premiums and piece-rate pay are forms of earnings because they are amounts paid for work performed. CRA’s payroll guidance confirms overtime pay is remuneration from which you must deduct statutory deductions (CPP, EI, and income tax), reflecting that overtime is treated as employment earnings.

Similarly, piecework (piece-rate pay) is a method of paying wages based on units produced rather than time. It is still compensation for labour and therefore part of gross earnings used to calculate payroll deductions and net pay. This is fundamentally different from:

Expense reimbursements, which repay employee-incurred business costs (not pay for work).

Allowances, which are predetermined amounts to help cover anticipated expenses without receipts.

Benefits, which are the value of goods/services provided by the employer or paid on the employee’s behalf.

So a premium paid for overtime hours or a piece-rate per unit produced is classified as earnings (option A).

QPIP premiums are calculated on an employee’s insurable earnings in Quebec (up to the annual maximum insurable earnings). For 2026, Revenu Québec shows the employee QPIP premium rate is 0.430% (0.00430) and the maximum insurable earnings are $103,000.

Step 1: Determine Evangeline’s weekly insurable earnings (assuming all earnings are QPIP-insurable and the annual maximum will not be exceeded, as the question implies):

Regular earnings $1,075.00 + overtime $154.00 = $1,229.00.

Step 2: Apply the employee QPIP rate:

$1,229.00 × 0.430% = $1,229.00 × 0.00430 = $5.2847.

Step 3: Round to cents (standard payroll practice): $5.28.

Payroll would deduct $5.28 from Evangeline’s pay for QPIP for that week and remit it along with other source deductions as required. The deduction continues until the employee reaches the annual QPIP maximum premium (based on the annual insurable earnings limit).

“Net taxable income” for payroll withholding purposes is the amount of income on which income tax is calculated for the pay period. It generally starts with the employee’s gross taxable earnings for the period (regular wages plus any taxable benefits/allowances that must be included in income), then subtracts only those deductions that are deductible for tax at source (for example, certain registered pension plan contributions, union dues, etc., if applicable). A cash taxable benefit is treated like additional remuneration and is included in taxable income. (canada.ca)

Here, Anthony’s weekly taxable earnings are:

$750.00 wages + $25.00 cash taxable benefit = $775.00.

Being exempt from CPP contributions affects whether CPP is deducted, but CPP is not a “net taxable income” subtraction in this question (and in any case, no CPP is being deducted). The question also does not mention any other tax-deductible payroll deductions (like RPP contributions), so there is nothing to subtract from taxable earnings.

Therefore, Anthony’s net taxable income for the week is $775.00.

Regular earnings for an hourly employee are calculated as hourly rate × hours worked. Because “bi-weekly” means two weeks of work paid together, you calculate one week’s regular earnings and then multiply by two (assuming the hours are the same each week and there is no overtime premium indicated).

Step 1: Weekly regular earnings:

$10.10 × 37.5 hours = $10.10 × 37 + $10.10 × 0.5

= $373.70 + $5.05

= $378.75.

Step 2: Bi-weekly regular earnings (2 weeks):

$378.75 × 2 = $757.50.

So Matt’s regular bi-weekly earnings are $757.50.

In payroll documentation, “regular earnings” are the employee’s base wages before statutory deductions (CPP/QPP, EI, income tax) and before other deductions, and they exclude any separately calculated earnings like overtime premiums or taxable benefits unless stated. This approach (rate × hours, then adjust for pay period) is the standard method used to compute gross/regular pay for hourly employees before moving on to deductions and net pay.