Press Release
Ontario’s Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth means there are more reasons to file a tax return this year.
Even for those with little or no income, or who haven’t filed in recent years, filing a tax return is the only way to qualify for a range of tax benefits, including:
•up to $260 a year for each member of your family from the new Ontario Sales Tax Credit;
•up to $1,000 ($1,125 for seniors) a year from the Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credit;
•up to an additional $500 a year to help senior homeowners pay their property taxes with the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant; and
•up to $1,000 for families (including single parents), or up to $300 for single people, in new Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit payments.
In addition, the tax rate on the first personal income tax bracket was reduced starting Jan. 1, benefiting 93 percent of Ontario personal income tax payers.
The tax plan also includes the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax and tax cuts for business.
“Our government’s tax changes will put more people to work and put more money in many people’s pockets, particularly those in most need,” said Revenue minister John Wilkinson.
“But it’s important to remember, you need to file your taxes to get the money back,” he stressed.
“We’re urging people receiving social assistance or welfare to file a tax return this year so that they can qualify for additional tax credits and benefits, including the new HST credit,” echoed Maureen Fair, executive director of St. Christopher House.
By filing a 2009 tax return, a single mother with a four-year-old child, earning $15,000 annually and paying $700 in rent monthly, could get more than $2,800 in tax-free income from Ontario’s tax credits and benefits.
This family also would receive federal tax credits and benefits.
