Putting More Money In Families' Hands
August 4, 2010 10:30 AM
McGuinty Government Begins Ontario Sales Tax Credit Payments
About 3.1 million Ontario families and individuals will soon benefit from Ontario Sales Tax Credit payments.
Starting next week, eligible low- to middle-income Ontarians will receive the first of quarterly payments that will provide them with up to $260 annually for each adult and child. This is in addition to the existing federal GST credit.
Ontario has modernized an outdated, 50-year-old tax system. Ontario's tax plan includes permanent income tax cuts for families and businesses, the new permanent Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
The tax plan also benefits Ontarians by providing:
- A permanent income tax cut on the first personal income tax bracket, benefiting 93 per cent of income tax payers as of January 1, 2010.
- Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit payments, providing up to $1,000 to most families or up to $300 for most single people.
About 83 per cent of consumer spending will see no change in tax as a result of the HST. This tax package is a key component of the five-year Open Ontario plan, which supports job creation and enhances the programs and services, including education, health care and skills training, that Ontarians value.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is providing a total of $11.8 billion over three years in direct payments and permanent personal tax relief to help Ontarians adjust to the HST.
- Ontario now has the lowest income tax rate of all provinces on the first $37,106 of taxable income.
- A study by taxation expert Jack Mintz estimated that Ontario's tax plan, together with other recent tax changes, will help create almost 600,000 net new jobs over the next decade.
LEARN MORE
- Tax Cuts for People and Families
- Tax Cuts for People and Families - Benefit Payment Schedule - June 2010 to June 2011
- Read Ontario's Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth: Technical Paper on How the Tax Changes Affect People
- Get the full list of what's taxable under the HST and what's not
- Get the online application for mobile devices
- Learn more about the HST and Ontario's Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth at www.ontario.ca/taxchange
CONTACTS
- Grahame Rivers
Minister's Office
416-314-4805
grahame.rivers@ontario.ca - Anna Giannini
Ministry of Revenue
416-314-0767
anna.giannini@ontario.ca - Public inquiries:
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
1-800-337-7222
ontario.ca/revenue
"These Sales Tax Credit payments are designed to put more money back into the pockets of Ontario families as part of our comprehensive tax plan. But the most important benefit will be a stronger economy and more jobs."
– John Wilkinson
Minister of Revenue
"We are very pleased to be providing help to those who need it the most. For those who use our services the Ontario Sales Tax Credit will make a noticeable difference."
– Perry Davidson
Executive Director of Furniture Bank
Communities
