Death tax hard to live with

Nepean-Carleton PC MPP Lisa MacLeod
News Release

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We've all heard that death and taxes are inevitable, but thanks to the McGuinty Liberal's HST plan the government will be putting a 13% death tax costs on all funeral services from caskets to tombstones.

"This government is taxing us to the grave, and now you want to tax us in death," stated MacLeod after questioning the Consumer Services Minister today. "Minister, will you exempt the bereaved and dying from this 13% death tax?" Harinder Takhar did not reply with an answer.

MacLeod continued to the press the Minister for a commitment to Ontarians to grandfather existing funeral home contracts that have been sold and are sold up to July 1, 2010. Again, Harinder Takhar did not reply with an answer.

Starting on July 1, 2010, funeral services will be subjected to the harmonized sales tax. When passed, this budget will mean additional costs to families dealing with a loss of a loved one. Lawyer's fees to administer a last will and testament, accounting fees to settle the estate, floral arrangements, catering services and other funeral-related costs will all be subjected to McGuinty's new harmonized sales tax.

According to the Board of Funeral Services, the average cost of a funeral in Ontario is around $5,500 - but when you add up the flowers, reception, and casket that cost goes up to $9-$10,000.

MacLeod concluded; "this government is taxing us to the grave, and now they want to tax us in death."

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