In a means to offset the Carbon Tax Levy for lower and middle income Albertans, the Alberta government has released its first installment of Carbon Tax Rebates, January 5.

The idea of the rebate is to protect Albertans who spend a higher income percentage on energy costs and don't have the extra funds to invest in energy efficient products

Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier, says the rebate doesn’t just off-set the carbon tax, if used wisely, can save Albertans money.

"The best part is that this rebate, while not only covers the carbon tax levy costs for most families, it will actually put some money in their pocket books. By taking some simple steps to increase energy efficiency, things like using energy efficient light bulbs, low flow shower heads, you're not only helping your environment, you’re saving yourself some money."

 An eligible family with four children can receive the maximum of $420.00 this year.

Two thirds of Albertans will be receiving some rebate with sixty percent of them getting the full payout.

The eligibility and amounts you'll receive is based on your filed 2015 taxes.

Hoffman explains the government wanted to make it easy and so that families don't have to do anything if they are eligible.

"The easiest way to do this for families is to go on the last years filing of the tax cycle. We didn't want people to have to apply. We want it to be easy and seamless and to help them by, if you've done direct deposit, it's in your bank account today."

Albertans who have lost their jobs in 2016 may, depending on their income in 2015, have to wait until the 2016 income tax filing to be eligible.

Natalie Thirsk, Local Cochranite who lost her job in April 2016 says the carbon tax rebate doesn't outweigh the costs of everything going up.

"Not at all. Not for a family of 5, 3 of those being kids under 6. I think the whole carbon tax is a money grab for the government and it's quite disappointing with how our economy is right now to see the prices on things jump up even more. I've been looking for work since last April and I am still unemployed and we've been struggling with just my husband’s income. This is only going to make things worse and harder for people to survive financially."

Hoffman adds she understands the issue around people who have lost their jobs after the 2015 taxes were completed.

"That's one of the reasons we're working hard to diversify the economy, to make sure we can have jobs, renewables and supporting Alberta families as well as building pipelines."

 For more information about the Carbon Tax Rebate go here.

 

 https://www.alberta.ca/climate-carbon-pricing.aspx#p184s3