Yes, Virginia, that HST cheque actually is in the mail
Ontario is now sending out the second of three Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit cheques to those who qualify.
The temporary relief plan was introduced by the McGuinty government to help take some of the sting out of the HST, a controversial tax change that took effect last July, and win back the hearts and minds of Ontario voters.
The benefit goes out in three instalments with a total maximum of $300 for individuals and $1,000 for families, including those headed up by single parents. Most consumers can expect their current cheque to be $100, whereas families will get $335.
To qualify for the current payout – which is not a taxable benefit and doesn’t count as income either – you must have been a resident of Ontario at the end of November and have filed income tax returns for the past two years.
You’re out of luck, however, if you’re under the age of 18 (unless you’re supporting a child), have been in jail for more than 90 days this year or are behind in your child support payments.
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Rick | Dec 15, 2021 8:21:36 AM
So !!!! where is it ????????? I can tell that to the creditors and not get away with it, but the gov't CAN, LOL
Posted by: hst troubles | Dec 15, 2021 8:43:42 AM
Thank you Mr. McGuinty. Although you could have saved that particular dept some trouble and just lowered the rates for everyone. Oh, that wouldn't work. You would have to lay off some of your friends, and that would be a drag. They might have to find real jobs.
Posted by: HST stressed | Dec 15, 2021 9:04:53 AM
HST Cheque? Oh yeah according to my e-pass I don't get one. Of course there's no explanation as to why on the e-pass. Not like I could use the money as a single mom.
Posted by: clifford homer | Dec 15, 2021 9:17:52 AM
cannot wait to vote this sneaky s. o. b out he has done nothing to help ontario just another self serving lying politician
Posted by: Small Business | Dec 15, 2021 10:24:35 AM
By the way, let me explain the HST a little better so people understand it since the liberals have not done so properly. Dalton said the HST will be better for Ontario because it would create many more jobs for the econony. His reasoning? As a Business Entrepreneur, whenever I had a staff that traveled in Ontario, I would pay travel expenses such as hotels, food..... Let's say it was $200 + tax (8% Prov Tax and 5% GST). I was able to write off the 5% as a business expense but not the 8% or $16. Now that the amount is all in HST, that 8% portion can now be written off. That means I can now write off that $16 which equates to about $4 (25% business tax bracket) in my pocket. The government suspects that all these $4 x all the expenses for many larger companies will allow them to hire more people with the extra cash. In my small company, the HST will net me about $1400. The small business person will have more to either pay bills or spend in the economy. I certainly won't be hiring. If the larger companies don't hire extra staff, the HST premise is flawed. Most larger companies have excellent profits/cash flow but they are hoarding their cash for Merger and Acquisitions. In the end, the reasoning was a smoke screen. The government wanted extra cash to pay for their lack of proper budgeting/spending. The average person will be paying more. We will continue to pay more because of deficits. I am a Liberal but agree the Liberals will lose the next election. They continue to give us BS reasons and they are not worthy of my vote to lead this country.
Posted by: To "Small Business" | Dec 15, 2021 10:42:15 AM
I am conservative and always have been, simply because of their basic policies. I would like to ask you why you are liberal most of the time. I have never been able to figure out why anyone is liberal, except the person who wants the free ride (social services and free money at tax time). Therefore, the low income earner who doesn't have much ambition.
You are a small business employer, you have stated. Did you know that Mr. McGuinty announced the HST was good because employers such as yourself would be hiring more employees? However, I haven't stated this to get your feathers up. I just thought it was funny, after reading what you wrote. I agree with you fully that the liberals did a "smoke screen."
Posted by: Redz76 | Dec 15, 2021 11:31:30 AM
If B.C. can rid of the HST - why can't Ontario?
The extra tax on Gasoline is hurting everyone - especially the increased food cost due to extra delivery expense - HST on gas and HST on delivery.
Posted by: Buy my vote??? | Dec 15, 2021 1:18:17 PM
The HST refund was simply an attempt to appease the HST implementation buying it with taxpayers own money, a typical liberal ploy.
Why won't Ontarians repeal the HST? They love taxes and have no b...s
Posted by: Brain Trepaning | Dec 15, 2021 1:18:25 PM
I guess BC HST checks are heading to Vanoc and the BC Place roof builders...?
Posted by: Janet Eliason | Dec 15, 2021 2:52:36 PM
Get reed of this govement for good. Your time is up liberal bye bye in 2011
Posted by: Rick | Dec 15, 2021 4:09:31 PM
So the second check is in the mail wow, the little money they send will never be enough for the extra taxes we will pay now and in the future,and what about the debt retirement charge we pay on our hydro bills, they have already collected the full amount of 7,8 billion yet we are still paying it too,and what about the sneaky echo tax coming, and they claim the 5,4 billon the federal government gave them to implement this, that slowly started in Feb. of 2009, then changed later to the HST, is all going out in these checks to family's, ya right, vote this guy out of office in 2011, and do all Ontarians a favour.
Posted by: Debra Delaplante | Dec 15, 2021 5:28:34 PM
Everyone should get out and vote We need a 80% vote not a 40% . And this Govermentwill have to do what the people want.
Posted by: Rachel | Dec 15, 2021 5:53:41 PM
Why is it that a single person receives $100.00, but a married couples, without children, receives $330.00 per session?
Posted by: Terry LeClair | Dec 15, 2021 6:12:13 PM
theses cheques does not make up for car insurance scandal.This governmentcampaign promise was to roll back the dedcutable on the settlement the p c government increased to thirty thousand instead they told the courts they are being too generous on settlements.Put a cap of 3100.00 on accident benifits .Now also we pay extra for items included in our care.This government is by the people for big buisness.You lost my vote.I voting N.D.P.,the peoples party.Why do they not broadcast in the media what other pro company and anti middle class.It is a sad time in Ontario.
Posted by: John | Dec 15, 2021 6:12:59 PM
What are we waiting for, lets get out and protest the injustice! COME ON PEOPLE NO MORE TALKING.
SORRY I FORGOT THAT CANADIANS ARE GOOD LITTLE SHEEP. BEST NOT PISS OFF THE WOLVES IN POLITICS OR THEY MAY FIND ANOTHER WAY OF PUNISHING US.
Posted by: Karley | Dec 15, 2021 6:14:17 PM
I agree Rachel..was sort of wondering the same thing..shouldn't everyone be getting the same amount? why do married couples-2 people-receive $130 more than I do? Shouldn't each person get $100 so it equals $200?? Why the extra???
Posted by: Terry LeClair | Dec 15, 2021 6:24:42 PM
Why does the Liberal government tell the people in Ontario how they are raising our taxes and exempting big buisnesses,what cut backs to health care.Soon we will be worse off then Mexico with our four year Majority government dictatorship.
Posted by: david park | Dec 15, 2021 6:49:02 PM
you people have have good complaints but you dont say if you are from bc our ont im.m from bc we have a shtty gov its all about big buisness f k the average joe the rich get ritcher the average joe is screwed icbc runs the police force they dont have time to catch the bad guys to busy kissing icbc ass we have extra charge on everthing them sob librals are going down were going to kick ass next election
Posted by: harry | Dec 15, 2021 7:42:50 PM
There very few liberals today, the the majority of so called liberal politicians are so right wing you may as well call them conservatives, what you have to remember is the H.S.T.was Harpers baby, to swell the Govt. coffers and create more big money positions for the federal fat cats.In BC and Ontario he did it thankfully other provinces saw through his scheme and did,nt fall for the scam even the rabid right wingers in the Saskatchewan government turned HST down.
Posted by: Unhappy Tax payer | Dec 15, 2021 7:53:21 PM
Premier Dalton McGuinty had promised in the very first instance that he will neither increase nor reduce any taxes. But his books compelled him to impose health fee and cut OHIP services. Due to HST element, prices of all commodities have gone up. People pay from their nose for already sky-rocketing gas prices after 8% additional tax levied by this government. Petroleum products should have been exempt from HST. Many countries supply subsidized gas even below cost to its citizens, why not here? The main purpose of HST was to improve infrastructure but so far I don't see new or better roads or transits. Don't worry, time will heal wounds.