Independent budget calculator shows cost of tax hikes, fee increases

A freelance technology consultant has constructed an independent budget calculator to help taxpayersfigure out just how much thechanges in the Newfoundland and Labrador budget will cost them.

"I quickly realized that it wasn't as easy as all that," saidBradleyRussell, describing how he set to work on building a tool that provincial government said was too complicated to make.

"A lot of the information that was provided for this budget wasn't really provided in an accessible format, so it provided difficult to see exactly where you stood."

Russell, whobuilds online tools for customers, realized there was a lot of interest in building a tool that others could use.

He said it tookabout threeweeks to put the calculator together.

The calculator doesn't just figure out larger increases, like the increases to personal income tax and the addition of thedeficit reduction levy.

It includes hundreds of smaller increases to ferry rates, provincial park entrance fees and other certificates and applications.

Last month, the province released itsbudget calculator that shows lower income earnershow much they will receivefrom the new income and seniors supplement.

However,it doesn't account for any of the tax and fee increases.

Finance Minister Cathy Bennett told reporters it would be too complicated for the provincial government to build a full calculator.

'Wasn'toverly complicated'

"It certainly was a challenge," said Russell. "It wasn't overly complicated, it was just very time consuming."

The NDP has put out its own calculator that covers many of the increases but doesn't account for the new income supplement or fee increases.

• Cathy Bennett announces online budget tool to offset 'misinformation' spread by opposition
• N.L. NDP launch tax hike calculator

Russell saidhis calculator gives people a more accurate reflection of the true cost based on individual circumstances.

"For example, if I commute to Bell Island every day and I figure I'm going to take about 100 trips a year, I can account for what my increase is going to be," saidRussell.

Russell saidhe's not taking a stand for or against the budget, and hiscalculator advertises "no spin, no BS."

Russell has been involved with the PC Party. He served on the executive in 2013.

The budget calculatoris good exposure for Russell'sfreelance work,but he said that's notthe main reason why he createdit.

Russell addedit's also open-sourceso anyone can look at how the calculations are done, and if he made a mistake he's happy to fix it.