Ontario accountants or tax JUBBERS. OEPTC question.

[gsdx]

The info booklet and the government website are contradictory in the OEPTC qualifications. I know I qualify for the 'Property Tax Component', but the 'Energy Component' is ambiguous and confusing. According to the booklet, I qualify for the Energy Component. According to the website, I don't.

Does the Energy Component of the OEPTC apply ONLY to First Nations on reserves and to people in long-term care?

Qualifications according to the booklet:

- Resident of Ontario on Dec. 31, 2010
- 18 years or older

AND at least one of the following conditions apply:

- Rent or property tax paid
- Lived on a reserve in Ontario and paid energy costs
- Lived in a public long term care home and paid for accommodation

Qualifications according to the website:

'In general, people with low- to middle-incomes who pay rent or property tax for their principal residence in Ontario may be eligible for the credit. People living on reserves or in public long-term care homes may also be eligible for the energy portion of the credit.'

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The difference in my refund is rather enormous if I can apply for both credits (they're calculated separately on the ON479 form). What's the verdict? Anyone know for sure?

 

[puka-pride]

i'd go with what the booklet says because its written in plain english... and french...

if you are wrong they will most likey adjust it themselves... the worst thing that could happen is you would be audited... but i doubt even that would happen if you have never had issues with your taxes before

if you are really unsure about it there is probably a phone number u could call. I personally would rather call and find out than get my answer from a forum.

 

[shainski]

I'm not from Canada, so pardon me for answering. But let me ask:

I don't see any contradiction. The two things you cite seem to say the same thing to me. But the first one is more specific.

The website doesn't say it is only available to "First Nations". It says they MAY also be eligible.

 

[gsdx]

^ I've always done my own taxes and have never had problems, never had any corrections, and never had an audit. It's always been self-explanatory, but this new OEPTC thing is confusing and ambiguous. I was hoping someone here would sort me out on it. It would certainly be easier than trying to wade through the governmental red tape just to get a 'yes' or a 'no'.

 

[gsdx]

The website doesn't say it is only available to "First Nations". It says they MAY also be eligible.

That's just the wording. Depending upon their income, they MAY be eligible for the credit. The contradiction is that, in the booklet, I am eligible to apply. In the website, I'm not.

If you read the website quote carefully, low- and middle-income people are eligible for the Property Tax Component. However, low- and middle-income Natives and people living in long term care facilities are also eligible for the Energy Component. The qualifications between the booklet and the website differ.

 

[rareboy]

Don't pay attention to the website.

It was probably put together by some 22 year old who uses apostrophe's (snic) for plurals.

The book on the other hand went through legal.

So go by the book.

And whatever. Apply for both. The worst that can happen is that they disallow it.

And then go out and spend the bucks on something you'd enjoy.

Treat yourself.

 

[gsdx]

Don't pay attention to the website.

It was probably put together by some 22 year old who uses apostrophe's (snic) for plurals.

It's a government website: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/oeptc/index.html