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.

Most families who grow their own produce in their backyard gardens have already purchased the plants they need for the year, but post HST you will be taxed an additional 7% for food producing plants and trees – items that are currently subject to only 5% GST.
Typical ornamental household plants are already taxed with both 7% PST and 5% GST, so the 12% HST you will pay when you purchase a bouquet of flowers is nothing new. But broccoli plants, tomato plants, apples trees and cherry trees all experience a …

Ontario families may be eligible to receive HST transition cheques (Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit) from the government to help them cope with the implementation of Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1st, 2010.
Eligible individuals and families will receive 3 tax free payments in June 2010, December 2010 and June 2011. Individuals will receive a maximum of $300 paid in $100 amounts on the dates listed here. Eligible single parents and couples will receive up to a maximum of $1000 spread out over those sames dates. Single individuals earning more than $82,000/year …