Problem
PolicyEngine Canada does not model the secondary-earner exemption used in the
2025 Canada Workers Benefit calculation. A repository search for
secondary_earner and equivalent terms returns no implementation.
CRA Schedule 6 Step 2 allows an eligible-spouse family to deduct up to $16,386
of the lower earner's qualifying amount from adjusted family net income. Without
this step, the final CWB amount is not comparable to the 2025 CRA calculation.
The older general CWB implementation issue was #9.
Scope
- Add the 2025 secondary-earner exemption parameter.
- Identify the secondary earner from claimant and eligible-spouse working
income.
- Cap the exemption by the secondary earner's working income, adjusted net
income, and the published maximum.
- Subtract the exemption from adjusted family net income before applying the
basic CWB and disability-supplement reductions.
- Preserve an explicit pre-exemption AFNI variable or otherwise expose both
legal calculation boundaries.
Acceptance criteria
- No eligible spouse produces a zero exemption.
- The lower earner is selected correctly when claimant and spouse incomes
differ.
- The exemption respects the working-income, adjusted-net-income, and $16,386
caps.
- End-to-end tests cover the standard schedule and the Alberta, Quebec, and
Nunavut variants.
Official source:
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/cra-arc/formspubs/pbg/5000-s6/5000-s6-25e.pdf
Problem
PolicyEngine Canada does not model the secondary-earner exemption used in the
2025 Canada Workers Benefit calculation. A repository search for
secondary_earnerand equivalent terms returns no implementation.CRA Schedule 6 Step 2 allows an eligible-spouse family to deduct up to $16,386
of the lower earner's qualifying amount from adjusted family net income. Without
this step, the final CWB amount is not comparable to the 2025 CRA calculation.
The older general CWB implementation issue was #9.
Scope
income.
income, and the published maximum.
basic CWB and disability-supplement reductions.
legal calculation boundaries.
Acceptance criteria
differ.
caps.
Nunavut variants.
Official source:
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/cra-arc/formspubs/pbg/5000-s6/5000-s6-25e.pdf