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Starting next month, Canadians could get a temporary “tax holiday” on dozens of items as a Liberal bill inches closer to becoming law.
Bill C-78, titled the “Tax Break for All Canadians Act,” passed in the House of Commons Thursday night, with the help of support from the New Democratic Party.
It will now be considered by the Senate and if passed there, will go on to receive royal assent.
A two-month break on the goods and services tax or harmonized sales tax will apply on certain groceries, alcoholic beverages and children’s clothing, among other items.
This change would take effect on Dec. 14 and end on Feb. 15, 2025.
The federal government says the measure is meant to provide relief to Canadians as the cost of living remains high and save taxpayers an estimated $1.6 billion over two months.
A family spending $2,000 on qualifying goods would realize GST savings of $100 over that period, according to the Department of Finance.
Here’s a list of all the items that the tax break will and will not cover.
Under Canadian tax law, items classified as basic groceries are already not subject to the GST/HST.
According to the federal legislation, that includes “fresh, frozen, canned and vacuum sealed fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, most milk products, fresh meat, poultry and fish, eggs and coffee beans.”
The following food and beverage items are included in the “GST holiday.”
However, these items will not get a tax break:
Parents could see some tax relief with the following kids’ items covered by the “GST holiday:”
However, these items are not covered:
The two-month tax break will apply to diapers for children and babies, including:
Children’s diapers that are provided as part of a diaper service and adult diapers are excluded.
Kid’s car seats, including restraint systems or booster cushions that conform to the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards qualify for the tax break.
However, travel systems, which are a combination of stroller, carrier and car seat sold as a single package, don’t qualify.
The following toys for children under the age of 14 years are eligible for a tax break:
These items are not eligible:
The following are included:
These items are not included:
These books are included:
The following are not included:
Printed newspapers are eligible for the tax break, including those:
These items are not eligible:
Christmas trees and similar decorative trees — both natural and artificial — are covered by the “tax holiday.”