Fedeli calls for reversal on tax payment changes

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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QUEEN’S PARK – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is calling for the McGuinty government to do an about-face on planned changes to tax refund payments.

Recently constituents, frequently seniors, have expressed concerns about a change to their tax refund under the new Ontario Trillium Benefit. In response, Fedeli read the following petition in the Ontario Legislature Tuesday:

“Whereas many Ontario residents have come to rely on receiving their full Ontario tax credit early in the year; and

“Whereas changes to the tax credit payment schedule were not widely publicized;

“We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the government of Ontario to reinstate the Ontario tax credit payment schedule utilized during 2011.”

In the 2010/2011 budget, Government of Ontario announced that three tax credits, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC), Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) and the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) will be combined into a single Ontario Trillium Benefit.

The Ontario Trillium Benefit will be paid out monthly, with the first payment made on July 10, 2012. Before 2011, the returns from the three tax credits were paid out in one lump sum. In 2011, the returns were paid out quarterly. Effective July 2012, the return from the Ontario Trillium Benefit will be paid out monthly.

“The McGuinty government left seniors and other low income Ontarians who are depending on their tax returns to cover essential expenses stranded as a result of the monthly payout,” Fedeli said.

“With a $16 billion deficit, the McGuinty government has lost all credibility and has no right telling Ontarians how they should manage their finances.”

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