The "harmonized sales tax" is coming to Ontario in July 2010.

So, instead of just paying the federal GST of 5% on some things, we'll be forced to pay the 8% Ontario PST on top of that for a grand total of 13%.

Some things, like tampons and "meals under $4"* will be exempt. But most everything else will see an increase in price.

But our out of touch Premier Dolton McGuinty says it's good for us so we should sit down and shut up.


*I'm not sure if a few items from the Wendy's Value Meal menus "counts" as a meal though.

three things.

1) why tampons? does it go for baby diapers too? i don't get it.

2) can i get a link for this?

3) its likely FOOD under $4. same with right now, if you buy under $4 at tim's you don't get charged the tax, but if its over 4 then you do.

Who elected this guy anyway?

I support HST, it will actually lower prices after the initial adjustment period. It has worked in other provinces and will work in Ontario.

I do not support Dalton as our leader, but the HST is one of the only good moves he has made.

Posted by olive 1) why tampons? does it go for baby diapers too? i don't get it.

Seriously? Do you think these should be taxed at a higher rate? They are not a luxury item.

Posted by olive 2) can i get a link for this?

It is all over the news and has been for awhile.

Required items such as toiletries are not taxed.

They tried that in the 80's and failed. You cannot tax required items.

Posted by atomx Required items such as toiletries are not taxed. They tried that in the 80's and failed. You cannot tax required items.

Why is food taxed then?
Why are clothes taxed?
Why are houses taxed?

Don't know. They're not necessary I guess.

Sorry, they're not GST'd. The items that are not gst'd should have a tax to them selves. Or they can just leave it all alone and just raise/lower the taxes as they need.

Look on your grocery bills. Food/Necessities should have a GP or a P beside it.

Posted by Nvr2loud Why is food taxed then? Why are clothes taxed? Why are houses taxed?

Most states I've lived in only tax processed foods- raw foods remain tax free.

Oh well, you'll still be 1% below us.

I thought this thread was about Raoul Duke.

Posted by atomx Required items such as toiletries are not taxed. They tried that in the 80's and failed. You cannot tax required items.

Posted by Nvr2loud Why is food taxed then? Why are clothes taxed? Why are houses taxed?

Not to mention fuel for vehicles. Not everyone has the luxury of a transit system to go to work.

Also, what about heating fuel for our homes? That's also a required item.

Posted by rainman8889 Not to mention fuel for vehicles. Not everyone has the luxury of a transit system to go to work.

Driving in not a right. It's a privilege.
Farm fuel (coloured diesel) is not taxed, or is taxed much less.

Also, what about heating fuel for our homes? That's also a required item.

Never check my bills for tax on our home heating fuel, however it being at 75/l it looks like it's not taxed.

Right now when I purchase items to sell to my customers (items that are PST exempt to the customer) I have to pay the PST at point of sale, I'm considered the end user and PST is a consumption tax.

So this is how it works....

$100.00 Purchase Part from supplier
5.00 GST (recovered later from customer)
8.00 PST (can not be recovered from customer directly)
Therefore cost is $108.00 since I'll recover GST
Markup 25% of 108.00 is $27.00 = $135.00
$135.00 plus GST (now recovered from customer)
$141.75


Now with the HST

$100.00 Purchase Part from supplier
13.00 HST (recovered later from customer)
Therefore cost is $100.00 since I'll recover HST
Markup 25% of $100.00 is $25.00 = $125.00
$125.00 plus HST (now recovered from customer)
$141.25

My administrative costs of dealing with two taxes will also be reduced, so as an honest business owner, I should reduce my markup and save the customer a little bit more money. This tax should make everything more competitive. You already pay the PST on exempt items, you just don't see the tax buried in the retail price. The seller had to pay the PST when they bought the product.

Ok, now I'm confused.

I just pulled my oil bill.

Last fill:

391.1L @0.729

Before taxes 285.11
GST/HST(13%) 37.06
PST -22.81
Total 299.36

Why did PST take the cost down? (I'm not complaining)

Oh, and yeah, what about the prov that already have HST?

Posted by atomx Driving in not a right. It's a privilege. Farm fuel (coloured diesel) is not taxed, or is taxed much less.

Agreed on the privilege part. However, in order to get to work, I have to drive as our transit system is a pathetic joke and will remain like that for years to come.

What pisses me off though is that the people who have earned that privilege through being safe courteous drivers, may just see that privilege taken away when they can't afford fuel anymore while those who are wealthy and haven't earned that privilege through safe driving habits are able to keep that privilege. And I've seen a lot of wealthy assholes who shouldn't have the privilege of driving but have it anyway because they can purchase it instead of earning it.

Posted by atomx Never check my bills for tax on our home heating fuel, however it being at 75/l it looks like it's not taxed.

Give it time. Those asswipes will find a way to tax that too and insist we be happy they are doing it.

So I talked to the nice order lady.

They charge 13% and the gov gives us back 8%. So we're just paying 5% in tax. Not bad.