What has tax and what doesn't?

[yadayada]

I have often bought things like microwave popcorn thinking there will definitely be tax on it and there isn't. If I buy nestea or lipton iced tea in a 12/18 pack there is no tax on that but most other drinks in a can will have tax. I guess if it has corn or tea in the product name then it doesn't have tax? I thought microwave popcorn would fall under snack foods and thus be required to have the tax on it according to the gov't website.

I tried contacting Ottawa to find a detailed listing of what does and doesn't have tax. I just got the run around and I didn't want to spend hours/days trying to find this out. I don't want some vague short list open to interpretation. If anyone knows of a website with a detailed listing to explain the tax and no tax situation on products please let me know.

Thank you

[KrazE]

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

[yadayada]

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

I have seen that website but it really isn't detailed enough.

[KrazE]

That's pretty detailed to me - if you want a list of what's taxed or not for what you personally buy, then it's best to make a list and check your own receipts - most stores have letter beside items that have tax or not.

[yadayada]

That's pretty detailed to me - if you want a list of what's taxed or not for what you personally buy, then it's best to make a list and check your own receipts - most stores have letter beside items that have tax or not.

It still doesn't explain why microwave popcorn and iced tea in a can doesn't have tax. According to the chart microwave popcorn would fall under snack and require tax.

[abbasgirl]

Here are some more detailed lists:
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/500.html
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/501.html
They are archived because they were from pre-HST days, but the same things are still taxable. I've seen even more detailed lists, but I can't find them back.
Popping corn seems to be on both the taxable and non-taxable lists. I think if it's in a package, like a microwavable one, it's supposed to be taxed. But I find that sometimes the stores don't even know. Zellers charged me tax on plain, raw nuts once. They are only supposed to be taxed if they are seasoned or part of a snack mix.

[yadayada]

Here are some more detailed lists:
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/500.html
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/501.html
They are archived because they were from pre-HST days, but the same things are still taxable. I've seen even more detailed lists, but I can't find them back.
Popping corn seems to be on both the taxable and non-taxable lists. I think if it's in a package, like a microwavable one, it's supposed to be taxed. But I find that sometimes the stores don't even know. Zellers charged me tax on plain, raw nuts once. They are only supposed to be taxed if they are seasoned or part of a snack mix.

Thanks. You said it, sometimes it seems like even the stores don't know!!!