Comments on: Submission to the Ontario Government on Bill 218

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:23:55 +0000

My apology to the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction for my previous comment:
I have sent the following email to my MPP:
Further to my email I sent to you earlier:
Please accept my apology. I am just concerned about what I believe to be happening to our economy. I am seeing an increase in the number of people around me that are suffering from financial hardship I am truly and deeply concerned for them.
With regard to the 2010 tax return,I had made an error in the tax preparation program that I am using. Provincial Sales Tax was not eliminated in 2010 as I had thought.
When it come to the elimination of the lump sum payment/credit, in my opinion, my concerns are realistic and will be there again next year when it comes time to file the 2011 Income Tax Return. It is my hope that the Liberal government will reconsider bringing back the lump sum payment for this credit on our income tax returns instead of giving it out by piece meal spreading it over a year with 4 payments. Piece meal will not work for most people who are strapped for money who need to purchase big ticket items such as new furniture, appliances, tires for their vehicle the list goes on. Ask your constituents what they want. I personally would accept a lesser amount of credit as a lump sum payment on my tax return than receive it in 4 installments.
In my previous email, I just wanted you to understand that lower income people have become accustom to receiving a refund or paying out less tax mainly due to the Provincial and Sales Tax Credit that they were allowed.
PS There is no need for you to reply to either one of my emails. Thank you for listening.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:06:49 +0000

What is wrong with you people? What are you thinking? No lump sum payment obviously your living the dream.
I just prepared my mother’s 2010 tax return. She is a senior, who is disabled, lives on a fixed income. Every cent that she gets is spent on her accommodation and care there is nothing left. In previous years, pre 2010, thanks to the lump sum payment payment resulting from her claim for Property Tax and Sales Tax Credit she has always received a refund. This year I have to tell her she has to pay. I know there will be no extra money to do that.
I have a son who is disabled because of his needs I have to be self employed I cannot hold down a full time job I can only work when I can. Because of the elimination of this lump sum credit included in my tax return to apply to the amount I have to pay for my portion of CPP and the employer portion of CPP combined I now have to pay on or before April 30th. I am cash strapped and I know that I can’t make that payment. The Government is creating new jobs alright, new collection department jobs. Those people hunting down low income earners that can’t pay. Everyone knows what happens to little bits of money coming into households it just goes.
Many people receive those lump sum payments after they file their tax returns they spend it on their kids, fixing their homes, fixing their cars the list goes on. With your help and advocating for no lump sum payment is insane. The effects of this decision are far reaching, unfortunately, one that is helping to kill our economy. It is in the best interest of the government to hang on to as much of our money as long as they can it is not helping the poor. Don’t talk about people should do a better job of spending their money. You have to have the money to spend in order to do that. Tell that to people who are behind on their utilities bills this winter tell them how they will have to wait for that partial payment in month May for something that they would have received in a lump sum payment between now and April 30th. Do you think that the companies who deliver utilities will wait until month of May not likely. I am sorry but I am very angry right now and disappointed I believe your decision to advocate no lump sum payment to be insane. This ON-BEN credit needs to be a lump sum payment and I can’t phantom why you wouldn’t understand this. Just look at the number of people that will have to pay taxes this year or will receive little or no refund from their income tax return. Tell them how you made the right choice.

By: George Keeming

George Keeming — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:40:09 +0000

No one believes that Ontario will emerge from this recession the same as it went in. We need to become more competitive.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives issued a report looking at low-income, middleclass and wealthy families and found that the HST is going to be revenue neutral.

A report by TD Bank estimates the HST will reduce cost of doing business in Ontario by roughly $5.3 billion and that the majority of these savings will be passed on to customers within the first year. In fact, the majority of items you purchase – 80 percent – will see no tax change at all.

A recent report by economist Jack Mintz confirms that Ontario needs to reform its tax system to create jobs and put Ontario back on its feet. It says, as a result of the HST, within 10 years Ontario would see:
o An estimated 591,000 additional new jobs
o Increased capital investment of $47 billion
o Increased overall annual worker incomes of up to 8.8 per cent, or $29.4billion

We have a choice: we can refuse to fix what’s broken, resign ourselves to the idea that Ontario will be less competitive or we can move forward and get the jobs Ontario needs.

Please visit: http://sites.google.com/site/thetruthaboutthehst/

By: The Ontario HST: a counter-intuitive remedy? « Belonging Community: Being at home in an urban neighbourhood

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:22:12 +0000

[...] in 5 has posted its budget submission on the HST, made on December 7, 2009, by Co-chairs of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction: [...]