Authentic National Payroll Institute Certification Exam PF1 Questions Answers

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.

“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.

Because the plan is for the president only, it is a non-group insurance plan (a plan offered to an individual employee). The CRA states that when an employer pays premiums or makes contributions to a non-group insurance plan, the amounts paid are a taxable benefit. The CRA explicitly includes sickness or accident, disability, and income maintenance plans in this non-group category.

This benefit is generally treated as a non-cash taxable benefit because the employer is paying the premium directly to the insurer (the employee receives the coverage, not cash). CRA guidance distinguishes cash benefits (paid as money, reimbursements, or allowances) from benefits provided in a manner other than cash.

Payroll must therefore include the value of the employer-paid premium in the employee’s taxable income and report it on the appropriate slip (commonly T4 code 40 for current employees, as noted in CRA instructions for insurance premiums).