Categories: Tax AppealsTax Returns

Ontario Trillium Benefit and tips

Ontario Sales Tax credit (OSTC), Ontario Energy and Property Tax credit (OEPT) and Northern Ontario energy credit (NOEC) are credits for Ontarians earning low and moderate income. These programs will be combined as Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) from July 2012. These benefits are now paid quarterly and will be paid monthly from July 2012.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit

You could get up to $265 for 2011 for each adult and child in your family to help with the sales tax you pay on goods and services. This amount is adjusted for inflation each year.

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

If you pay rent or property tax, you could get up to $917 for 2011 to help with the sales tax you pay on energy and the property taxes you paid and qualifying seniors can get up to $1,044 for 2011.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

Families living in Northern Ontario can get up to $204 for 2011 to help with their home energy costs, as it is often higher in the North due to more severe winters. If you are single, you can get up to $132.

These amounts will be adjusted for inflation each year.

Eligibility:

You must be eligible to at least one of the benefits (OSTC, OEPT or NOEC) to eligible to receive OTB.

Application:

You must complete Ontario Form ON-BEN which is part of the 2011 T1 General Income Tax and Benefit Return package and file it with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If file your individual tax returns later than April 30th may result in delay in receiving OTB payments.

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