Your article (HST cheque in mail . . . not in B.C. June 9, 2010) is incorrect to say the province will not provide rebates following July 1, 2010, when B.C. eliminates the PST and adopts the lowest harmonized sales tax in Canada, at a rate of 12 per cent.
We are in fact providing a B.C. HST credit starting this July that will be paid quarterly to more than 1.1 million low and modest income British Columbians. The annual credit will be $230 per family member for families with incomes up to $25,000 and individuals with incomes up to $20,000. Individuals and families with incomes above these thresholds may be eligible for a partial benefit. For example, a family of four with income between $25,000 and $48,000 will receive a partial credit.
Other measures to help consumers include an immediate rebate for home energy, and point-of-sale rebates on motor fuels and other products such as books, children's-sized clothing and footwear, children's car seats and car booster seats, diapers and feminine hygiene products.
And of course there is no HST on basic groceries, most medical, dental and health services, visits to the doctor or dentist, prescription drugs and the other products and services where GST doesn't apply today.
We are also providing income tax relief by increasing the basic personal amount tax credit to $11,000. This means up to $80 back in the pockets of individuals and up to $160 for those claiming spousal credits. As a result of tax reductions since 2001, British Columbia has the lowest provincial income taxes in Canada for individuals earning up to $118,000, and an additional 325,000 British Columbians pay no provincial income tax, including those earning up to $18,800.
For the facts on HST, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/hst
Colin Hansen
minister of finance
and deputy premier
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