Ontario Tax Harmonization

[northern_wind5]

So I'm sure a lot of people have heard about Mr. McGuinty deciding that the GST and PST in Ontario need to be harmonized. So this means everything will have both taxes instead of just some and it will just look like 13% total instead of the GST at 5 and PST at 8 on your bill

Comments

[siobhan63]

I moved to Ontario from Quebec just over a year ago and didn't know that Ontario PST wasn't applied to some things. I assumed i was paying PST on just about everything - just like in Quebec, and figured i was already paying more tax since PST in Ontario is a bit higher than the PST in Quebec (altho Quebec will be raising its PST) so i don't see this as a big deal. And if the NDP make one more reference to how much more expensive coffee and donuts will be at Timmy's, i'm going to scream.

[sun_tzu]

The continued existance of the NDP (and their constant stream of junkmail to me) makes me scream, but coffee and donuts tax? Yeah, I'm a little stunned by the fact that that's what they're clutching.

[sun_tzu]

Actually, it will. I don't remember the exact wording of the rules for exemptions but meals under a certain price are PST exempt. The threshold is $4 I think. Under harmonization that will disappear.

[sun_tzu]

It would catch things like McDonalds Happy Meals, Tim Hortons stuff like a bagel and coffee, etc. It works very strangely. Some time go buy a bagel and a coffee. Then buy two together and note the price increase attributable solely to the tax.

As for Toronto, when I worked downtown I liked Lee Garden on Yonge north of Dundas (can't remember which side street, but about due east of the south side of the Delta Chelsea. Its lunch specials were always less than four bucks and generally quite good.

[sun_tzu]

Sounds like a capital idea. They still have time to vote themselves another raise before the election too. And if you get good at graft you can create some excellent secondary income streams too.

[harry_beast]

Become the Privacy Commissioner. You can claim hundreds of dollars per meal for "business lunches" at gourmet restaurants. Of course with the GST harmonization, your restaurant dollar won't go as far. Bummer.

[trinib]

me to, but how do we escape being branded COMMIES!!!!!!!!!!

some people get picky about their food options