New List Of Items Impacted By Harmonized Sales Tax Contains Some Surprises
Posted April 13, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hailing a taxi, calling a family member long distance or buying your daily vitamins are just a few examples of things that will soon cost you more as a result of Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax.
The new levy will tag eight per cent onto several items and services that were once exempt and while the increase has already stirred more than its fair share of controversy, a new, expanded list of what will be hit includes a few additional surprises.
And while some might balk at the list, the single tax was Ontario’s budget hallmark, aimed at reducing administrative costs and designed to free up cash so companies can free up more people.
But even as the government touts the combination tax as a competitive solution for an economy in freefall, Premier Dalton McGuinty has acknowledged the single tax carries with it some serious political risks.
The tax will come into effect in July 2010.
