Here is the complete list of all goods and services which prices have been increased due to the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) introduction in British Columbia. Before all the products from this list were not subject to 7% PST (or 5% GST for some of them). Almost all of them are used on daily basis by us, and the new reform causes extra spend of thousands of dollars per year. Many products are first-necessity or essential goods!
Price increase for some of the products and services is ridiculous, as they are the part of healthy living. For example, bicycles, gym memberships, camping, sport lessons (karate, swimming, ballet, etc.), skiing accessories, massage, and others. They just fall in the same list with cigarettes!
Some products which are mandatory also affected: First Aid Kits, Helmets, Smoke Detectors.
Veterinarian services also affected. And many, many, many other goods and services:
- Energy Star Refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers – up by 7% since March 31, 2010
- Newspapers – up by 7% since July 1, 2010
- School Supplies – up 7%
- Magazines – up 7%
- Energy Star Windows – up 7%
- Thermal insulation, Weather Stripping and Caulking – up 7%
- First Aid Kits – up 7%
- Smoke Detectors valued less than $250 – up 7%
- Food Producing Plants and Trees (Cherry Tree, Tomato Plants, Plum Tree) – up 7%
- Household Moving Services – up 7%
- Adult Sized Clothing for Children – up 7%
- Shoe Repair – up 7%
- Tailoring Services – up 7%
- Dry Cleaning – up 7%
- Used Adult Clothing for less than $100 – up 7%
- Snack Foods (Chips, Pop, etc.) – up 7%
- Restaurant Meals – up 7%
- Catering and Event Planning Services – up 7%
- Basic Cable Television – up 7%
- Local Residential Phone – up 7%
- Repair to Household Appliances (Stoves, Ovens, Fridges, Washers, Dryers, etc.) – up 7%
- Repair or Maintenance for Real Property (Plumbing, Electrical, etc.) – up 7%
- Home Renovations – up 7%
- Landscaping – up 7%
- Lawn-Care – up 7%
- Private Snow Removal – up 7%
- House Cleaning – up 7%
- Computer Software Repair Services (virus removal, software installation, etc.) – up 7%
- Taxis – up 7%
- Camping Sites – up 7%
- Air, Rail and Bus Travel originating in British Columbia – up 7%
- Private Purchase of Car – up 5% (it was not 5% GST before July 1)
- Private Purchase of Boat or Aircraft – up 5%
- Motor Vehicle Parking – up 7%
- New Homes over $525000 – up to 7%
- Real Estate Commissions – up 7%
- Massage Therapy Services – up 7%
- Over-the-Counter Medications – up 7%
- Vitamins – up 7%
- Sport Events (Soccer, Hockey, Football, etc.) – up 7%
- Movie Tickets – up 7%
- Safety Helmets for Sports (Bike Helmets, Hockey, Snowboard, etc.) – up 7%
- Golf Memberships – up 7%
- Driving Range Fees – 7%
- Gym and Athletic Membership – up 7%
- Ballet, Karate, Hockey, Soccer and many other Lessons – up 7%
- Theatre Tickets – up 7%
- Bicycles – up 7%
- Museums and Art Galleries Admission – up 7%
- Music Concerts – up 7%
- Ski Lift Passes – up 7%
- Adult Sized Ski Gloves for Children – up 7%
- Ski Boots for Children (all sizes!) – up 7%
- Hockey Rink and Hall Rentals – up 7%
- Music or Video MP#s Downloaded Electronically – up 7%
- Funeral Services – up 7%
- Fitness Trainer – up 7%
- Hair Stylist/Barber – up 7%
- Manicure, Pedicures, Facials, Spa, etc. – up 7%
- Accounting Services – up 7%
- Interior Design Services – up 7%
- Wedding Planning Services – up 7%
- Veterinarian Services – up 7%
- Cigarettes – up 7%
- Cigars – up 7%
- Chewing Tobacco – up 7%
- Nicotine Replacement Products – up 7%
Given information has been taken from the broshure “What’s Taxable under the HST and What’s Not?” which the Government sent to British Columbians.