The old saying says nothing is certain except death and taxes, but some Nova Scotians are frustrated with the surprise cost taxed on their recycling fees.

Warren Morash said he has no problem paying the environmental handling fees on the laptop and television he recently purchased.

The money is designated to properly recycle electronics, ranging from 40 cents for iPods to $40 for big screen TVs. The same fee is applied to tires and can add up to $3 or $9 each, depending on the size.

"We have to rid of that stuff somehow, so I don't mind paying," said Morash.

How much is the fee? Desktop Computers: $10.50

Laptop computers: $2.10

Televisions and monitors: $11.50-$40, depending on size

Keyboards: $0.90

Mouse: $0.90

Landline phones: $0.85

But what he does have a problem with is the province charging HST on both the purchase and the recycling fee.

"I totally disagree with that. The government charging tax on tax," Morash said.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation agrees.

"A fee is just another name for a tax. So when you paying these fees it’s just another tax on top of all the other taxes you already have to pay," said Atlantic director Kevin Lacey.

"All of those fees they should have only one amount that you pay and you shouldn't have to pay a fee and then another tax on top of that."

The Nova Scotia Electronic Products Recycling Association maintains that the fee is not a tax. It said the handling cost is not a refundable deposit either.

The Nova Scotia government said the federal Excise Act requires it to charge HST on recycling fees.

Premier Darrell said the province has removed taxes on items they feel benefit Nova Scotians the most, including the HST on home heating bills.

He said while there are a lot of other taxes his government would like to eliminate, they need to keep a balanced budget in mind.