Starting July 1, 2010 Ontarians can expect to pay a harmonized sales tax (HST) rate of 13 per cent on a long list goods and services that were previously exempt from the eight per cent Provincial Sales Tax. While the impact of the tax will be felt by all Ontarians, the province’s three million homeowners and the thousands who buy and sell a home every year will be hit particularly hard by this latest tax grab.

As real estate professionals, realtors know how important the dream of home ownership is to Ontario families. Unfortunately, thanks to the forthcoming HST, that dream is going to become much more expensive as home buyers and sellers can expect to pay eight per cent more on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, condo fees, home inspection fees, and moving costs. According to the Ontario Real Estate Association, Ontarians will pay, on average, an additional $1,449 in new taxes on their next residential real estate transaction.

If the new taxes on real estate transactions are not bad enough, a harmonized sales tax will add eight per cent more tax on a series of home related costs. Specifically, a harmonized sales tax will add hundreds, potentially thousands of dollars in additional tax on utility bills, such as gas, electricity and home heating fuel, on home renovation labour, the cost of lawn upkeep and snow removal. Moreover, the HST will increase the cost of living with eight per cent more tax on gasoline, personal and professional services, meals under $4, dry cleaning, cab fares, vitamins and more.

When added together, the impact of the HST on Ontario family’s disposable income will be considerable. In short, a harmonized sales tax will reduce the people of Ontario’s quality of life by taking more of their hard earned money to fund government initiatives.

While the government of Ontario plans to compensate homeowners by offering sales tax transition cheques and modest income tax reductions, these measures will in no way offset this new tax.

Help our profession oppose this latest tax grab. Write to your MPP and tell them that Ontarians do not need higher taxes on home ownership.