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XIIITBN' FREE PRIESS. WLDNliSDAN', AUGLIST 20, I1980, PAGE 13 Report from Queeii's Park L~JU By GEORGE ASHE NIPP (C-DURHAM WEST) j In recognition of the lifelong contribution that Ontario senior citizens have made to their communities and the Province, the Government of Ontario this year introduced two new tax grants for seniors. First, most seniors have paid municipal and school taxes throughout their working years, and continue to do so. Ontario's new Property Tax Grant will help homeowners and tenants 65 years of age and older pay all or a large part of these taxes to a maximum of $500. These grants will be paid directly to seniors in the Spring and Fall of each year, shortly after municipal tax bills arrive. The second part of the program is the new Sales Tax Grant paid once a year to help offset retail sales tax for Ontario seniors. If you are an Ontario resident, 65 years of ago or over and you pay property tax on your residence or rent for your ac- commodation, you are eligible for the property tax grant regardless of your income. Depending upon the amount of property tax or rent paid, you may receive annually a proper- ty tax grant of up to $500 per household. For tenants, the grant is 20% of the rent on your principle residence, or $500 whichever is less. Only one property tax grant will be paid to a married couple or unmarried seniors who share accom- modations. An application for the property tax grant will be automatically mailed to any seniors who receive the federal Old Age Security pension in late August of this year. If you do not receive the Old Age Security pensions, call the Ministry of Revenue information centre for details at 965-8470. If you rent, you must attach receipts to your application form. Contact your landlord now to arrange for receipts if you don't normally receive them. If you own your home, you should enter the Assessment Roll Number on the application. This number appears on your Notice of Assessment and Municipal Enumeration Notice, which you receive each year. But, if this number is not readilly available this year, just complete the rest of your application form and return it to us. However, next year, please remember to keep your Notice of Assessment since you will need the Assessment Roll Number for your next application in 1981. The Ontario Ministry of Revenue will processyour 1980 ap- New tax grants give seniors lifelong contributions recognition plication for the Property Tax grant as soon as it is received. Complete your application very carefully, and get it in quickly. Detailed instructions will accompany the application form. Starting in 1981, you will receive your Property Tax grant in two installments. Early in 1981, a cheque for one half of your 1980 grant will be automatically mailed to you. Later that year, you will receive an application form, which when processed will make up the balance of your annual grant. No application is necessary for the sales tax grant, if you receive the Old Age Security pension. The $50 grant will be mailed to you automatically in September of 1980. If you do not receive the Old Age Security pension, contact the Ministry of Revenue Information Centre at 965-8470 for complete details on applying. Neither of these grants will be added to your income for Federal and Provincial Income Tax purposes. However, they do replace the previous Ontario Tax credits for seniors. This new program now allows you to receive municipal and school tax assistance directly and quickly, without filling in a special income tax form. For further information on the program, be sure to call the Information Centre at 965-8470. Fi9ht Them Ail Heart Attack, Stroke High Blood Pressure Rheumatic Fever Help your Heart... Help your Heart Fund