Ontario Sales Tax Credit
If you pay rent or property tax, you could get up to $917 for 2011 to help with the sales tax you pay on energy and the property taxes you paid. Qualifying seniors can get up to $1,044 for 2011. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation each year.
The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and the new Ontario Trillium Benefit
Effective July 2012, payments of the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and Northern Ontario Energy Credit will be combined into a single benefit payment called the Ontario Trillium Benefit and delivered on a monthly basis.
Am I eligible?
To qualify, you must:
- be 18 years or older
- pay rent or property taxes for a principal residence in Ontario
How much will I receive?
Qualifying non-senior single people and families can receive up to $917 for 2011 – up to $713 in property tax relief and up to $204 in relief for the sales tax on energy. Qualifying seniors, 65 years of age or older on December 31, can receive up to $1,044 for 2011 – up to $840 in property tax relief and up to $204 in relief for the sales tax on energy. If you live on a reserve, are over 18, and pay home energy costs, you could qualify for the energy portion of this credit. If you live in a public long-term care home, you could also qualify for the energy portion of this credit.
How is the amount I get calculated?
The amount you receive is based on your adjusted net income and the amount of rent or property tax you paid for your principal residence for 2010. It will be reduced if your adjusted family net income is higher than certain amounts, depending on your family type: the credit will be reduced by two per cent of any income over $20,360 for single non-seniors, $25,450 for single seniors and non-senior families, including single parents, and $30,540 for senior couples. For example, for a single senior with income of $27,000, the maximum credit will be $1,044 − [0.02 × ($27,000 − $25,450)] = $1,013.
Use the Ontario Tax Credit Calculator to calculate the amount you may be eligible to receive. http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxcredits/CalculatorQuestions.asp
How do I apply?
You must file a 2010 personal income tax return and report the amount of property tax or rent you paid to receive this credit.
When will I receive my credit?
For 2011, the credit will be combined with the Northern Ontario Energy Credit for eligible Ontarians living in designated northern districts, and paid in four instalments. The payments will be issued in July 2011, December 2011, March 2012 and June 2012. Effective July 2012 and for subsequent years, payments of the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit will be combined into a single benefit payment called the Ontario Trillium Benefit and delivered on a monthly basis.
For more information
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/oeptc/
Due to regular changes in government programs, OMDREB doesn't guarantee that this is the most recent data. Please see individual websites for the most up-to-date information.
