All the information you need to calculate your Ontario tax and credits is included on the following pages. You will find two copies of Form ON428, Ontario Tax, and Form ON479, Ontario Credits, in this book. Complete the forms that apply to you, and attach a copy to your return.

What's new for 2001?

Ontario now has its own provincial non-refundable tax credits. The rules for claiming them are the same as the rules for the federal non-refundable tax credits. However, the value and calculation of some Ontario non-refundable tax credits are different from the corresponding federal credits.

The Ontario labour-sponsored investment fund tax credit now provides an additional credit for the cost of shares of a research-oriented investment fund (ROIF).

A focussed flow-through share tax credit was introduced in October 2000 to encourage mining exploration in Ontario.

Form ON428 and Form ON479 reflect these changes.

Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families

The Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families (OCCS) is a tax-free monthly payment to qualifying Ontario families to help with the cost of raising children. For each child under age seven, the monthly supplement is up to $91.67 in a two-parent family and up to $109.17 in a single-parent family.

This is not an automatic payment. Each year, the Ontario Ministry of Finance sends out preprinted applications to qualifying families. Families must complete and return the application to the Ontario Ministry of Finance.

You (and your spouse or common-law partner) should file your 2001 tax return(s) as soon as possible. The amount of your OCCS payment, starting in July 2002, will be based on the information from the return(s) and on your OCCS application.

Ontario Opportunities Fund

The Ontario Opportunities Fund has been set up to give Ontarians a chance to reduce the province's debt. If you want to make a monetary contribution to the Ontario Opportunities Fund from your 2001 tax refund, complete the "Ontario Opportunities Fund" area on page 4 of your return.

You will be issued a receipt that can be used with your 2002 return. For more information about gifts to government, see line 349 in the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide.

Your donation will not be processed if it is less than $2.00, or if the refund you have calculated is reduced by $2.00 or more when your return is assessed.

If you prefer to make a separate monetary contribution to this fund, please make your cheque or money order payable to the "Minister of Finance - Ontario Opportunities Fund" and mail it to the Ministry of Finance, Government of Ontario, 14th floor, 1 Dundas Street West, Toronto ON M7A 1Y7.

Research Employees with Stock Option Benefits

If you have employee stock option benefits and/or taxable capital gains arising from the sale of shares relating to employee stock options, and are an eligible research employee resident in Ontario, you may be eligible for a tax credit for Ontario income tax purposes.

If you think you may be eligible, you should enquire at the Ontario Ministry of Finance regarding eligibility and the application process.

If you have questions…

If you have questions about Ontario tax and credits, or one of the above programs, contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance Information Centre at the following address and toll-free numbers:

Income Tax Related Programs Branch
Ontario Ministry of Finance
P.O. Box 624, 33 King Street West
Oshawa ON L1H 8H8

English: 1-800-263-7965

French: 1-800-668-5821

Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-263-7776

Facsimile number: 1-905-433-6777

Tax Fax Service: 1-877-4-TAX-FAX (1-877-482-9329)

Web site: www.rev.gov.on.ca

If you have other questions, contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) at 1-800-959-8281. The address and telephone numbers of your tax services office are listed in the federal government section of your telephone book and on the CCRA's Web site at www.ccra.gc.ca/tso/ .