Ontario HST rebate cheques are on their way, just in time for the Holidays! The second wave of Ontario HST cheques, promised by the Ontario government, will begin going out today, HST Ontario has learned.

From today through December 17th qualifying Ontario residents will begin receiving their 2nd HST rebate in the mail or by direct deposit.

It’s been 79 days since harmonized sales tax was implemented in Ontario Canada and the conversation seems to have died.

The Ontario HST tax reform is around the corner. HST launches on July 1st. Many goods & services will see no tax change, a few will actually see HST lower sales tax and some will see an HST tax increase.

HST Ontario has put together a list of all the major upcoming tax changes in Ontario. Here is: A Detailed Guide to HST Changes in Ontario

• Domestic Airfare – Any domestic air travel that originates from Ontario will see a tax increase. Airfare in Ontario is presently taxed GST only, after July 1 all flights leaving Ontario will be subject to HST.
• Domestic Rail – Traveling along the rails will cost you more sales tax. Rail fare originating from Ontario will increase to thirteen percent when harmonized sales tax starts in July.

When HST begins you will pay more sales tax on many goods and services in Ontario. That is a fact.

Here is another fact: Some purchases will see a tax decrease when HST launches in Ontario. Surprised? So were we.

Ontario’s upcoming HST is a hot topic right now with many strong opinions pushing against both sides of the HST fence.

As always its important to remember that HST Ontario is not affiliated with any government, HST body or agency related to HST. Our role on the internet is to provide news, facts and information on harmonized sales tax and tax reform in Ontario.

HST Ontario is dedicated to sharing a range of HST opinions and perspectives in the HST debate.

Our always expanding coverage of the HST debate begins here with a brief glimpse at the two opposing sides in the HST argument:

PST or provincial sales tax is a sales tax that is active in almost all Canadian provinces. The only provinces in Canada that do not have PST are Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland have already replaced their PST with a harmonized sales tax. A similar HST is coming to Ontario and British Columbia in July 2010.

In Canada the goods and services tax, commonly called GST, is a sales tax introduced by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in January 1991. It was created to replace an existing but hidden tax in Canada called MST or manufacturers sale tax.

GST in Canada is a value added sales tax that is considered a multi level tax. Like the upcoming harmonized sales tax, there are occasional exemptions from GST. If you’re looking for a list of HST exemptions please read our Ontario HST exemptions article.

On July 1st 2010 the Ontario government will launch their new harmonized sales tax. HST will be replacing Ontario’s provincial sales tax and the goods & services tax with a single “value added” tax. When the new tax reform launches there will be noticeable changes to how we buy and sell in Ontario.

HST will be extended to many purchases that were once exempt from PST or GST and as a result we will see a tax increase on these goods and services.

While the list of items subject to HST and services subject to HST might be longer than everyone would like, there is some comfort in knowing that many purchases will remain HST exempt!

While there is a very heated HST debate happening in Ontario, the reality is – HST is coming to Ontario. While the majority of goods and services in Ontario will not see a tax increase from HST, some will.

Here is a list of common services that will be affected by harmonized sales tax in Ontario.

• Internet access will increase from 5% GST to the full 13% HST
• Airfare, bus & taxi travel origination from Ontario will be taxed HST
• Hairstyling and hair cuts will be taxed HST in Ontario
• Hotel accommodations
• Legal services will be taxed HST (legal aid is HST exempt)
• Natural gas will be subject to harmonized sales tax
• Electricity in Ontario is subject to HST
• Gym memberships will be subject to HST (sports and athletic memberships included)
• Accountants will have to tax you HST in Ontario
• Real estate commission is now taxed HST
• Lawn care, landscaping and snow removal services
• More (This is not a complete list of services subject to HST)

Introducing HST Ontario,

Harmonized sales tax is coming to Ontario Canada and HST Ontario is here to prepare you. Get ready for HST in Ontario with our guide for all things HST.

Explore HSTOntario.com and you’ll find lists of HST exemptions, items subject to HST, ongoing coverage of the HST debate and much more.

Harmonized Sales Tax is coming to Ontario Canada in July 2010 – Get informed!