GST rebate
 

Hi guys,not sure wether this may be pushing our luck a bit but if anyone knows the answer or has any info it would be helpful.

We've been in Calgary for 3 weeks now but only on an a visitors visa(passports stamped until May 07),following a call to HRSDC today they said that OH's LMO should be sorted within next couple of days after Christmas.So then we're gonna drive across the border and back to get work permit issued there.We've bought a house and consequently bits of furniture ie sofa,beds,refrigerator,washer,dryer also smaller essentials like bedding,small electricals etc.Have racked up a few thousand dollars worth already.

So,my question is, when we leave the country even though it will only be for a few hours(or mins even)would we be able to fill in a tax rebate form to claim the GST back on our purchases? We've always done so when we came over on hols but that was always for touristy stuff.Will they ask questions or is it worth a punt anyway?

Tracie

Re: GST rebate
 

I think this was stopped, or is scheduled to be stopped??

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresi...tors/qa-e.html

Edit:Still ok until Apr 1 07

Re: GST rebate
 

Hi,

Wouldn't the payment have to be sent to an address outside of Canada?? Also, how would you explain applying for a GST rebate on such large household items. Wouldn't you have to prove they're being removed from the country?? Doesn't the application also ask for proof of departure from Canada?

D...

Re: GST rebate
 

Sometimes I can't believe the brass neck of some people - unbelievable

Re: GST rebate
 

Incredible, isn't it? Not to mention foolish. The word 'deportation'springs to mind.

Re: GST rebate
 

Good to see I'm not the only one who thought that.

Re: GST rebate
 

You know what sometimes I can't believe the pettiness of some people-unbelievable.My mother always taught me 'if you can't say something nice then say nothing atall'.I have read some really stupid/pointless posts on here but wouldn't dream of taking the trouble and more importantly my time to reply to them.


It was a simple question,and actually I did wonder at the time of posting if I was going to recieve comments such as yours,but I thought to myself 'no it's a simple question and the people on this forum are generally helpful' so i'll ask.

FYI,we're here as visitors,are entitled to nothing ,and have taken nothing.So actually all we've done is contributed tax into the pot.

At the risk of upsetting my mother,get your head out of your a**e and go f**k yourself!

Re: GST rebate
 

Unbelievable gall. :mad::mad::mad:

You do understand the BASIC premise behind the GST rebate don't you? :confused:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresi...ividual-e.html

PROOF OF EXPORT REQUIRED!!!!!

Are you planning on shipping all of your purchases including the house back to the UK.

Re: GST rebate
 

Do you people not understand the meaning of the word 'question'? it's when you ask something you don't know the answer to!.

You know what,I know I'm gonna get the usual toys out of the pram comments that the clicky little bunch on here like to use but truly, honestly I can't be bothered with this.

Re: GST rebate
 

I think the point is that you were asking if you could avoid a tax that you are legally obligated tgo pay..just like the rest of us....and it would be illegal for you to defraud the government of that tax. That is bound to raise a few eyebrows from those of us who would not even consider such an illegal action. And the point was well made that taking such action, if discovered, could result in your status in Canada being unpleasently altered. Defrauding a nations tax system is not the way to begin your life there. I have to believe that you know full well that you cannot legally avoid that tax, and are only wondering if you would get caught.

Re: GST rebate
 

Perhaps instead of asking the question here you could have used any number of search engines, Google being the most popular.

See link in my edited response, it was found using Google and the phrase "GST rebates".

Re: GST rebate
 

I didn't realise I had to 'vet' my questions so to speak, before posting and risk upsetting people.It does just feel on here,especially to newbies such as myself that a lot of the senior members(not all,before I offend someone else)are lying in wait,biding their time waiting to bite someones head off for what is deemed by them to be a pointless/ill informed/repetitive question.

I'm a nice person who manages to hold their tongue for the most part.I wouldn't have minded constructive criticism or a simple 'no thats not allowed' but it's the personal comments that p**s me off.

I genuinely don't know how people manage to make it to the ranks of senior member without being upset,or realising just how very.very clicky this site is.I for one cannot be bothered walking on eggshells for complete strangers.

Re: GST rebate
 

See the response from Dakota44.

Re: GST rebate
 

I have thankyou.

Re: GST rebate
 

Hi Tracie,

I'm not offended by your question but, as others have said, you have to have proof of export when you claim a rebate of the GST on durable goods that you've purchased in Canada.

On the previous occasion(s) on which you claimed a GST refund, you most likely went to a kiosk at the airport and had your receipts stamped. You also would have had to have your suitcases with you so that the customs officer could have inspected the relevant goods if he/she had wanted to do so. You then would have submitted those stamped receipts along with the GST refund claim form.

Then, as others also have pointed out, the Canadian tax authorities would have sent a cheque to your UK address, and the cheque would have been denominated in British pounds.

Something that you may not have been aware of on your previous visit(s) was the fact that the GST refund claim forms that are available in racks of tourist brochures are published by private companies and not be the Canadian government. The address on the claim form is that of the private company. The claim goes to the private company that submits the claim to the government on your behalf. The company then skims off a commission before forwarding the balance of the refund to you.

The GST claim refund form that one can print off the Internet does go directly to the Canadian government. The government does not charge any kind of fee or commission for processing the claim.

But, as others also have pointed out, the GST rebate scheme will come to an end on April 1, 2006, so there probably is no point in trying to alert travellers to what I consider to be a scam on the part of private companies that process GST refund claims.

Just for the record, hotel receipts do not have to be stamped by Canadian customs officials in order to accompany a GST refund claim. The accommodation portion of your hotel bill, before GST, has to be a minimum of $200 before you can claim. But, even if you did stay in a hotel on your initial arrival and even if you still have the receipt, you would need to quote an overseas address on the claim form. In addition to that, you may not claim a GST refund if you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes. Actions that make you a resident of Canada for tax purposes include the purchase of furniture, a car, and/or a house. Since you now have performed some of those actions, you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes, and no longer are eligible for a GST rebate. You probably could get away with it if you were able to provide a foreign address, say a relative's address in the UK. But, considering that you would get back about $5 for each night you'd spent in a Canadian hotel, it probably is not worth the trouble and the risk of doing something illegal.

Hope that answers your questions.