GST rebate program

[SFMIKE]

I read on here several months ago about the impending elimination of this program. For me, it has meant an annual check around 150USD when I submit my receipts. I alway send the receipts to an address on PEI, hence I get the full amount. Is this Revenue Canada headquarters?

However, like all good thing it is coming to an end.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/qa-e.html

So, if any other Yanks are sitting on receipts like I am, you have less than 3 months to act.

 

[jjinvan]

It was never a good thing... The office in PEI was a special office set up just to handle this particular service.

Probably safe to say that the whole thing was set up so they could hire a bunch of friends and relatives of the local elected official and spread around more of our tax dollars.

Since when does ANY other country refund sales taxes to visitors except for specifically things being shipped elsewhere?

 

[anonanon]

That was stupid. As mentioned earlier, no other country offers this, except for certain products (duty free).

It costs the Canadian tax payers millions a year. They are going to cancel it? Good.

 

[jjinvan]

Well the cancelation of the GST rebate for non Canadian residences certainly got the hospitality industry up in arms.

What a joke. Of course, they'll bitch and moan but they should be a LOT more concerned about the whole passport to cross the border thing. Or what about the high canadian dollar? What about the insanely high taxes on gas? What about the hotel 'room tax' ?????

This change will make no difference whatsoever to tourism.

 

[SFMIKE]

JJinvan:

Don't get all upset with me. I am only taking advantage of a program that exists. I chose to not criticize it one way or another.

Iwannarocu: If you think your hospitality industry is up in arms about this, you ain't seen nuttin' yet. Watch to see what happens if the State Department follows through on the requirement for a passport for anyone re-entering the US. As it stands now, only people leaving and re-entering the US by air are required to have passports. (As of Jan 23, 2007)

 

[Buntoss]

It just means a tiny bit less in taxes we have to pay.

 

[summerbreeze]

the brits have the same thing, it is called VAT

you can use a private service and reclaim the tax you paid in country or stand in line at a government border/customs office and reclaim the VAT you paid in country

VAT is a bit higher and worth claiming back, no sense in being charged a tax which only the residents benifit from

 

[jjinvan]

Don't get all upset with me. I am only taking advantage of a program that exists. I chose to not criticize it one way or another.

Iwannarocu: If you think your hospitality industry is up in arms about this, you ain't seen nuttin' yet. Watch to see what happens if the State Department follows through on the requirement for a passport for anyone re-entering the US. As it stands now, only people leaving and re-entering the US by air are required to have passports. (As of Jan 23, 2007)

I wasn't upset with you, trust me, you'll know if I am

And I fully agree on the passport thing. It's going to make a huge mess and totally screw up many industries that are dependant on illegal immigrant workers etc...

Not quite sure what exactly is the reason they are giving to sell the whole passport idea, after all, if they're saying it is about 'national security' they better do something more effective because as I recall, all the terrorist types who've been caught or done anything so far have had passports (and visas where applicable).

 

[Ottawa-22]

An independent auditor has confirmed that while they will gain $85 million a year, we will lose $258 million (I think) in less tourist dollars, loss of jobs, etc.

 

[jimbo2006]

What a joke. Of course, they'll bitch and moan but they should be a LOT more concerned about the whole passport to cross the border thing. Or what about the high canadian dollar? What about the insanely high taxes on gas? What about the hotel 'room tax' ?????

This change will make no difference whatsoever to tourism.

Agree, passport requirements and the potential loss of the Celebration of light would have much bigger effects on local tourism at least in the short run. I seriously doubt anyone planning a trip to Canada would factor the $20 or $30 GST rebate in their budget

One thing though, if they'll cease paying out those GST refunds, why not pass some of the savings back to Canadians in one form or another?

 

[SFMIKE]

It will hurt Canada's economy, but...

The places it will really be felt are cities like San Diego, El Paso and other border cities to the south. The wealthy there will have to start paying more to the domestics they hire as housekeepers. So sad, eh?

To be in the area of the San Ysidro/Tijuana border crossing late afternoons is an amazing sight. Thousands of people crossing back into Mexico from their day jobs. It is a good thing that Mexico requires no documentation for entry into their country. If they did the lines would stretch for miles at that time.