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B.C. ringing in new year with home-flipping tax, with income tax rebate on the way

91ƵThe focus will be on growing our economy,91Ƶ Premier David Eby says
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A 20 per cent home-flipping tax tops the list of a number of new regulations coming into effect in British Columbia starting Jan. 1. A for sale sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, June, 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

A maximum 20-per-cent home-flipping tax is among new regulations taking effect in British Columbia as of Jan. 1, with a promised middle-income tax cut arriving in the coming months as well as a spring carbon tax increase.

Premier David Eby said Tuesday the middle-income tax cut he promised during last fall91Ƶs election campaign would help form the New Democrat government91Ƶs agenda in the new year.

91ƵI have heard that you want our government to work harder to tackle the issues that you and your family are talking about around the kitchen table,91Ƶ he said in a statement. 91ƵThat is our focus for 2025 and beyond.91Ƶ

Eby had promised economic development and the tax cut in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press earlier in December.

91ƵThe focus will be on growing our economy,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵAnd, of course, affordability. British Columbians are going to see that middle-class tax cut.91Ƶ

Eby had said he expected the newly created Ministry of Infrastructure to help drive economic development in 2025.

91ƵYou91Ƶre going to see an approach from us about streamlining projects to get them approved and ensure people are working,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵAround building the province, we91Ƶve got a new infrastructure ministry that is focused on streamlining and expediting things like schools, hospitals and transit systems.91Ƶ

Eby said during the election campaign the tax cut of up to $1,000 would initially come as a rebate in 2025, followed by the exemption of an additional $10,000 of individual income from provincial tax every year after that. That would represent a tax cut of $1,000 for households and $500 for individuals.

Opposition B.C. Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar said Eby promised immediate tax relief during the election, but people are still waiting.

91ƵDavid Eby could have recalled the legislature last November to deliver the 91Ƶimmediate91Ƶ relief,91Ƶ said Milobar in a statement. 91ƵWill Eby finally deliver next February? We still don91Ƶt know.91Ƶ

Eby has promised tax relief and affordability measures, but the New Democrat government is poised to implement a carbon tax increase on April 1, Milobar said.

91ƵDavid Eby and Finance Minister Brenda Bailey are touting temporary cost-of-living relief while families are facing more permanent carbon tax pain in just three months,91Ƶ Milobar said. 91ƵIt91Ƶs tough to see how the NDP are serious about the cost of living, when they plan to add 3.3 cents a litre to the price of gas on April 1st.91Ƶ

B.C.91Ƶs Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said the government is committed to helping people cope with the high living costs driven by global inflation.

91ƵWhile the federal government continues to require the carbon tax, we will continue to ensure the cost for people in B.C. is offset by our climate action tax credits, worth $600 a year for the average family,91Ƶ said Bailey. 91ƵWe have been clear there is more to come.91Ƶ

The current carbon tax on a litre of gasoline in B.C. is almost 18 cents. That is scheduled to increase above 20 cents in April.

The government91Ƶs previously announced 20-per-cent home-flipping tax, to be levied against non-exempt people who sell homes within two years of purchase, is aimed at discouraging investors 91Ƶfrom buying housing to turn a quick profit,91Ƶ said the provincial government.

Exemptions to the new tax include cases involving divorce, job loss or other changes in household membership.

B.C. has estimated that about 4,000 properties will be subject to the tax in the new year, with the revenue going toward 91Ƶstrengthening housing programs and building new affordable homes.91Ƶ

The Ministry of Finance said in a statement a new maximum annual allowable rent increase rate of three per cent also takes effect Wednesday, down from 202491Ƶs rate of 3.5 per cent.

Other new year regulations include new rules to cut methane emissions in B.C.91Ƶs oil and gas sector, as well as a possible general property tax exemption for buyers of qualifying purpose-built rental housing.

Later in January, the province says qualifying residents should also receive payments from the quarterly climate action tax credit as well as income support that will include a temporary 25 per cent cost-of-living bonus.





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