Seniors could use some vote-buying cash

Re Give child benefit money to us, NDP email

suggests, July 26 This “newly enhanced universal child care benefit” obviously benefits individuals who really do not need any more benefits. This is in keeping with the trend that the older generation (which has spent years depriving itself in order that their offspring have everything they could possibly need and/or want) owes the younger generation a living.

The recipients of this “windfall” are in the workforce and are in a position to receive pay increases, money that is being taken away from the selfless parents of yesteryear, who now have to live hand-to-mouth on a fixed income, while we are taxed for every dollar we remove from our treasured savings to buy the necessities of life, such as food, electricity, income taxes and property taxes. Haven’t we paid enough?

Is it not time that some of those dollars (paid to people with children who are earning in excess of $100,000) are redirected to us pensioners who are living so close to the poverty line? Rosemarie Brugos, Whitby As someone who prepares income taxes, the new child care benefit will make my job much more unpleasant next tax season.

Parents should know that this benefit is taxable, which means that if your family receives an extra $1,500 from the benefit this year, you should expect to pay approximately $500 more (depending on your tax bracket) when you file your taxes next April.

The part that you may not realize is that the Conservatives also removed an existing child tax credit, which was a $2,555 deduction when you filed your taxes. The elimination of this credit means that you can expect to pay approximately $825 more (again, depending on your tax bracket) at tax time than you did last year. So, in total expect a tax bill of over $1,300 next time you file your taxes.

The best thing to do is to keep this government cheque in the bank, because you already owe it back to them. And please don’t get angry at your tax preparer. It isn’t their fault. Brett Hodnett, Gatineau, Que.