Less than six weeks before British Columbia residents mail in their votes on the HST referendum, Premier Christy Clark is promising to make changes to the controversial tax. Rising to power on a “family friendly” platform, Clark is vowing to make changes to the tax that will promote family life and help everyday citizens in the province.
According to Clark the changes the party is proposing are “bold” and “smart” modifications that will be made public within the next two weeks. These changes however, may prove to be too little too …

The newly implemented harmonized sales tax will increase the amount of tax charged to the British Columbian consumers for a variety of services. Mobile phone services and long distance services are already charged a 5% GST and a 7% PST, meaning the new 12% HST that is now charged doesn’t change the overall cost. However, local phone services and basic cable television will now have the additional HST applied, effectively increasing the amount of tax paid on these items from 5% to 12%.
Maintenance services home-owners often take advantage of, such …

The harmonized sales tax is now in effect in British Columbia and Ontario, immediately increasing the prices for select goods and services. There is still much confusion over exactly what impact the HST will have. For example, in a recent survey of BC residents, only one-third correctly identified the exemption for basic groceries, about the same number are aware that residential rent, children’s items such as clothing, footwear and diapers and prescription drugs will be exempt from HST.