Fitness Tax Credit

[fredr123]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...d-17f8df016aca

A Calgary MLA has proposed a $1,500 fitness tax credit for all Albertans. Good idea? Have you ever been reluctant to exercise or be active because of the costs involved? I'm grossly out of shape but, for the most part, it's not because I can't afford to exercise.

Dave Rodney, representing Calgary-Lougheed, has introduced a private member's bill that would offer tax relief for annual fees of up to $1,500 per person. If passed, the province would draft a list of qualifying activities, such as hockey, soccer and clubs such as running and hiking groups.

Rodney said Monday he believes his proposal will push people to be more active and save Alberta's ailing medical system money in the long run.

[Ozy_Flame]

Interesting idea for sure, although the cost-benefit analysis would require much, MUCH more research, and would almost call for a Royal Commission on a national level, IMO.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Interesting idea for sure, although the cost-benefit analysis would require much, MUCH more research, and would almost call for a Royal Commission on a national level, IMO.

The Feds rolled out a $500 fitness credit for children last year. This proposal would be open for all Albertans regardless of age.

[FireFly]

Will my beer league baseball fees count?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Will my beer league baseball fees count?

We'll have to lobby to have Bush League Softball fees added to the list of approved activities. Anyone have Dave Rodney's number?

[Sylvanfan]

How many people have joined a gym, paid the fee's.....and than didn't go? Really this gives the people who don't actually go or who pay fee's and don't get their money's worth a way of recovering costs if you ask me. If anything subsidize healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, skim milk than this.

[The Goon]

Good, good...that membership at Westside Rec Centre isn't getting any cheaper.

[Eric Vail]

I'd rather go for a bike ride than join a gym. Would the cost of my bike be tax deductable?

[Dion]

It's about time us old farts got a tax credit!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by The Goon

Good, good...that membership at Westside Rec Centre isn't getting any cheaper.

Out here in High River i pay $90 for 3 months.

[Got Miikka?]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

How many people have joined a gym, paid the fee's.....and than didn't go? Really this gives the people who don't actually go or who pay fee's and don't get their money's worth a way of recovering costs if you ask me

This would be the unfortunate drawback to the idea... for me personally I pay my fees and I go - I'd be all over a tax credit because those fees ain't cheap.

[Azure]

Can I get a credit to buy my own equipment?

[worth]

i'm healthy and work out at home. give me my tax credit in the form of a cheque i can cash.

[Locke]

I dont know, I spend almost a $1000 a year in sports fees and equipment, so I'd definitely use it, but whether this is a good idea or not really depends on the ultimate goal.

If its to entice people to exercise then I dont think tax breaks is the way to go.

People could just pay the money and not do any activity but still qualify.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

This would be the unfortunate drawback to the idea... for me personally I pay my fees and I go - I'd be all over a tax credit because those fees ain't cheap.

Technically you're being subsidized by all these people who don't go. Plus these places would all up their fees to $1500 a year and claim it costs you nothing since you can get a tax credit.

[Phaneuf3]

Interesting - something I would make good use of. Definitely an incentive to look into more stuff.

[Muta]

The very notion that this type of idea is being thrown around is a step in the right direction for society in general; no matter how logistically flawed it may appear to be on the surface.

If this tax rebate encompasses gym memberships, I would run to the first gym and sign up, premium package, with a trainer. I think gym memberships and fees are what's holding alot of Albertans back from committing to these places. I know that if I had a personal trainer on a consistent basis, and the government was in some way funding me to have one, I would do it WITHOUT hesitation.

This is the kind of forward thinking our government needs to do more of.

[Muta]

I also don't think gym membership fees would skyrocket; there's always entrepreneurs looking to capitalize in on an opportunity, and an explosion of gym customers would justr mean that more gyms pop up; thus, ramping up competition and keeps prices and fees relatively in check.

[fredr123]

I don't agree with the idea of similar tax breaks for fruits and vegetables. I don't want my tax dollars going towards subsidizing vegetarians. My diet consists mostly of meat and complex carbohydrates. It would be unfair for vegetarians to gain a greater benefit from such a program than I would. Plus, there's going to be a lot of people buying carrots or apples and then not eating them. I know lot's of people who have decaying vegetables in their fridges right now.

[Locke]

People understand how tax credits work right? This isnt an enormous sum of money by any stretch of the imagination.

The cash difference on a tax return wouldnt even pay for my soccer fees for one season let alone the year, forget Gym memberships.