Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA report, Mar 11

Budgets are about making tough choices, but what ‘tough choices’ did the BC Liberals make?

We all know that budgeting is about choices. Whether it is for your household or your business, you have to make choices about revenue and about expenditures. [Read more]

Electricity rate increase is ‘hidden tax’ — Macdonald

29 per cent BC Hydro rate increase a hidden tax on consumers: Macdonald.

Tuesday’s BC Liberal budget contains an unfair and hidden tax on consumers by forcing at 29 per cent increase on BC Hydro ratepayers, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“The BC Liberals have found a new way to tax the average citizen that they hope you will never notice,” said Macdonald. “Buried deep in this week’s provincial budget is a requirement for BC Hydro, a crown corporation, to provide an extra $254 million to government this year alone, and the only way for BC Hyrdo to do that is to increase hydro rates.” [Read more]

Renovation tax credit deadline Jan 31

Home reno tax credit deadline coming soon.

A reminder to all homeowners doing renovations or improvements to their homes, that the Home Renovation Tax Credit(HRTC) deadline is coming up very shortly.

The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a non-refundable credit for work performed on or goods purchased for the renovation of owned personal dwellings. A homeowner must spend at least $1,000, up to a maximum of $10,000, on an enduring renovation, integral to the dwelling. [Read more]

BC reduces income tax

Income tax savings for families, businesses start Jan. 1.

Ministry of Finance.

Individual British Columbians earning up to $118,000 will pay the lowest provincial personal income taxes in Canada as a result of new personal income tax measures that come into effect on Jan. 1, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

“Hard working British Columbians and their families will welcome the new year with roughly $173 million back in their pockets,” said Hansen. “We know families are trying hard to save during these challenging times. That’s why we’re increasing the basic personal income tax credit to $11,000, saving a single person up to $72 a year, and up to $147 for taxpayers with dependents.” [Read more]

Taft: tax liquor for policing and social programs

At the Tuesday, October 27, 2009 meeting of the District of Invermere Council, Mayor Gerry Taft put forth a recommendation “that the District of Invermere encourage the provincial government to pass legislation to create a new 3% tax on liquor so that the current tax rate of 15% is maintained and that the revenues from the new tax go directly into police funding and social programs, not general revenue”. [Read more]

Why the HST and why now?

Message from Honourable Minister Colin Hansen on HST.

Dear friends,

I know many of you have questions about how the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) works and why our government made the decisions it did. I would like to address some of the questions I have been receiving from you.

The leading economists and think tanks tell us that the introduction of the HST is the single biggest thing we can do to improve our economy by making our businesses more competitive and encouraging billions in new investment. This will result in higher productivity, higher wages and lower consumer costs. [Read more]

BC restaurants against sales tax increase

Restaurant owners say the HST will significantly hurt their business.

The vast majority of restaurant owners — 91% — say a harmonized sales tax in British Columbia will have a negative impact on their business, according to a survey of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s 4,000 B.C. members.

Eighty-five per cent of respondents said the HST will have a “significantly negative” impact and 6% said it would have a “slightly negative” impact. Only 9% responded that it will have no impact or a positive impact on business. [Read more]

Financial hardship property tax deferment begins

Press release –

VICTORIA – Government is now accepting applications for the Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program announced by Premier Gordon Campbell on Nov. 1, 2008, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said today.

The Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program allows eligible homeowners who are facing financial hardship due to current economic conditions to defer the 2009 and 2010 property taxes on their home. Homeowners may apply once they receive their annual property tax notice.

“This new program will be of significant benefit to many British Columbians,” said Hansen. “We are fully aware of the difficulties some homeowners are experiencing right now and this program gives new options to homeowners who are facing financial hardship.” [Read more]