New HST tax now in effect
July 2, 2010 - YorkRegion.com
Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman said Wednesday the HST is "unbalanced, unfair and unjustified".
"The HST is coming at a time when Ontarians need their government to support them and not hit them with another tax. Unfortunately, the McGuinty Liberals have been so hush hush on this new tax that it is impossible to understand their misguided strategy."
New HST tax now in effect
July 2, 2010 - YorkRegion.com
Ontario's controversial new harmonized sales tax took effect July 1, but according to Ontario Revenue Minister John Wilkinson, most purchases will not see a change.
In a statement released this week, Mr. Wilkinson said 83 per cent of items, from coffee and newspapers to public transit and cable, will be unaffected by the HST.
Most changes, he said, relate to energy and services.
"While some things will change as a result of our tax package, most things people buy won't see any change. The HST is all about eliminating hidden taxes and making businesses more competitive so that our economy grows stronger and creates more jobs," he said.
Movies and professional sports tickets will actually see less tax, he said, and Ontarians will not pay the provincial portion of the HST on items like children's clothing, children's footwear, diapers and books.
However, critics are calling the new tax, which combines the 8 per cent provincial sales tax and the five per cent federal GST, a massive tax grab.
Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman said Wednesday the HST is "unbalanced, unfair and unjustified".
"The HST is coming at a time when Ontarians need their government to support them and not hit them with another tax. Unfortunately, the McGuinty Liberals have been so hush hush on this new tax that it is impossible to understand their misguided strategy."
The province has mailed a brochure to households in Ontario listing those items that will and won't change under the tax. An online app (application) can also be bookmarked on most mobile devices such as a Blackberry or iPhone.