HST starts MAY 1!!!

[TaraF]

I know that it's been discussed on here about the HST going into effect on July 1 in Ontario, and I am one of the many who is less than impressed with this. HOWEVER, I was just reading the star online and guess what? While the HST doesn't "officially" take effect until July 1, businesses can start charging HST as of May 1 for services that would be used after July 1.

As per The Star:

"Because of the lack of media coverage on the phase-in, many Ontarians are likely unaware that as of Saturday, they will begin being charged the full 13 per cent HST on anything to be used after July 1.

That means, for example, that a flight from Toronto to Vancouver booked within the next two days for travel anytime after Canada Day would be taxed at a lower rate than one purchased this weekend or later. Theatre tickets bought after this Saturday for an August performance of, say, As You Like It at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival would be more expensive than those picked up beforehand.
The same goes for one-year gym memberships – as of May 1, the HST will be charged on any portion billed after July 1 – and contracts for services such as landscaping."


http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/a...st-bite-begins

[NancyM]

yup just heard this on the news this am i am not impressed and am not looking forward to July 1st but that's mcguinty for you in a recession so let's tax the heck out of people

[KK7]

I don't mind it being poor I qualify for the transition payments lol. So I will be loooking forward to those. Also being poor lol we don't travel and go to thetres ect HST will only affect me clothing wise and grocery's.

[TaraF]

yup just heard this on the news this am i am not impressed and am not looking forward to July 1st but that's mcguinty for you in a recession so let's tax the heck out of people

Well I live close to the border and I'm thinking with the dollar up maybe a $100 investment in a Passport would be worth it! I would just like to make it clear that I did NOT Vote these punks into office lol

I don't mind it being poor I qualify for the transition payments lol. So I will be loooking forward to those. Also being poor lol we don't travel and go to thetres ect HST will only affect me clothing wise and grocery's.

I'm not poor but I'm not rich and I still qualify for the "transition" payment of $1000 over the course of 1 year. But it means nothing to me because now my heat, hydro, insurance, water, internet, cable etc go up. And even if I set that $1000 aside specifically to pay the extra now added to my bills, it won't last long and once it runs out, again my rates are just higher. And for those that don't own but rent, don't think your rent won't go up! While the Government has said that Landlords can not demand more money to cover their costs, they will surely slip it in somewhere you can be sure of that.

[Haleine]

Transition payments are minimal (in my opinion) compared to the additional hidden taxes individuals and families will be paying.

Individuals max transition payment - $300.00
Family max transition payment - $1,000.00

[KK7]

Well to me in my opinion the transition may not be alot to some people but would you rather have nothing? That could of been an option to. Of course I am not really excited about prices rising but I also choose not to focus on all the negative. Going through rough patchs and it just means cutting corners here and there. Hydro turn off more lights to balance out, cable go down one package to balance out. As I once heard on a finiacial show internet cable and some other bills are a want not a need. So if you feel like you can't keep up with the HST added to the bills then we as people need to make choices what to cut down or not have anymore.

[NancyM]

lol tara me niether

[TaraF]

Well to me in my opinion the transition may not be alot to some people but would you rather have nothing? That could of been an option to. Of course I am not really excited about prices rising but I also choose not to focus on all the negative. Going through rough patchs and it just means cutting corners here and there. Hydro turn off more lights to balance out, cable go down one package to balance out. As I once heard on a finiacial show internet cable and some other bills are a want not a need. So if you feel like you can't keep up with the HST added to the bills then we as people need to make choices what to cut down or not have anymore.

There are people who are struggling to keep a roof over their head and food on the table and not "indulging" in extras such as cable, internet, etc. Those are the people who will be effected the most by this. Seniors that are living on nothing but CPP and just getting by are the ones that will be really hurting by this. And I'd rather have no Transition payment and leave the taxes as they are now or lower them.

I do agree that people can "downgrade" their "extras", but the point is why should we have to? Why should we have to just take what the government throws at us and learn to adapt? We pay their salaries shouldn't they try adapting some things to benefit us? That's just my opinion.

[KK7]

I am not saying I agree to it never once said I agree what they are doing. People will get by as tough times but they will get by. I never voted for these people and don't agree with it but I am going to pick the good points not just the bad.

[KK7]

Taxable Status of Goods and Services for Consumers Under the <ACRONYM title="Harmonized Sales Tax">HST</ACRONYM> – Examples

No Change in Taxable/Exempt Status

• Adult Incontinence Products
• Auto Insurance
• Auto Rentals
• Basic Groceries
• Books
• Cable TV Service
• Cell Phone Charges
• Certain Medical Devices
• Child Car Seats and Car Booster Seats
• Child Care Services
• Children's Clothing
• Children's Footwear
• Cleaning Products (e.g., Soaps, Detergents)
• Clothing
• Crafting Supplies (Scissors, Yarn)
• Diapers
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Furniture
• Home Insurance
• Home Maintenance Equipment (Lawnmowers, Snow Blowers, Sprinklers)
• Home Phone Services
• Luggage, Briefcases, Bags, etc.
• Mortgage Interest Costs
• Most Educational Services
• Most Health Care Services
• Movie Tickets
• Municipal Public Transportation
• Municipal Water
• Music Lessons
• Newspapers
• Over-the-Counter Medication
• Pharmacist Dispensing Fees
• Prepackaged Computer Software
• Prepared Foods Sold for $4 or Less
• Prescription Drugs
• Radios, Stereos, CD Equipment and Accessories
• Refrigerators and Freezers
• Residential Rent
• Restaurant Meals
• Tailoring
• Toys
• TVs, DVDs and Accessories
• Vehicle Repairs (Parts and Labour)

These are things that won't effect the HST

[KK7]

<TABLE style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="98%"><THEAD><TR vAlign=top><TH class=t-shadedlight scope=col></TH><TH class=t-shadedlight scope=col><ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>-taxable before July 1, 2010</TH><TH class=t-shadedlight scope=col><ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM>-taxable before July 1,2010</TH><TH class=t-shadedlight scope=col>Is there a change to the amount of tax payable under the <ACRONYM title="Harmonized Sales Tax">HST</ACRONYM>?</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Cable Television Services</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Cell Phone Services</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Municipal Water</TH><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Harmonized Sales Tax">HST</ACRONYM></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Home Maintenance Equipment</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Home Phone Services</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Home Service Calls to Repair Free-Standing Appliances such as Stoves, Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, and Televisions</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Home Insurance</TH><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>8%</TD><TD class=t>No (remains 8%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Electricity and Heating (e.g., Natural Gas/Oil for Home)</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>Yes (changes to 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Internet Access Services</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>Yes (changes to 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Home Service Calls by Electrician/Plumber/Carpenter to Maintain or Repair Furnace, Leaky Faucets, Bathtub, Toilet, Electrical Wiring, etc.</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>Yes (changes to 13%)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TH style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class=t scope=row>Landscaping, Lawn-Care and Private Snow Removal</TH><TD class=t>5%</TD><TD class=t>No <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM></TD><TD class=t>Yes (changes to 13%)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[KK7]

I didn't want to say anything till I found the facts but water as metioned cable as metioned will remain the same

[KK7]

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/taxable.html

[NancyM]

my water prices are so bloody expensive here it's insane if they added the hst to the water that would just kill us

[KK7]

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/calculators.html

This is a calculator for anyone interested in seeing what benfits you are elgible for transition tax, sales tax credit and property