Claiming tax back
Jan 2nd 2010, 5:18 pm
#16
Analyst for hire
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,698
Re: Claiming tax back
This so called refund is not all that useful. Ontario is not doing the tourist any favours. For the PST to be 50 dollars per item would mean the purchase was in the vicinity of 600 dollars or more.
An expensive fur coat? a diamond ring?
If one can afford that sort of purchase then claiming back PST is the least of one's problems.
An expensive fur coat? a diamond ring?
If one can afford that sort of purchase then claiming back PST is the least of one's problems.
Jan 2nd 2010, 7:09 pm
#17
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Claiming tax back
You can claim a VAT refund from sellers that participate in the retail export scheme.
Jan 2nd 2010, 8:28 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,378
Re: Claiming tax back
You can claim a VAT refund from sellers that participate in the retail export scheme.
All noted. I find it curious that any such exemption is/was available. I doubt very much that tourists would balk at visiting a country unless they were treated differently to residents. While accepting that any such "refunds" are not going to make a huge difference to the tax receipts of a country, any reduction in those receipts will have to be paid for by the residents. To my way of thinking, any government that acts in such a way to protect the residents' interests, is fine with me. But then I am obviously a right wing neanderthal
Jan 2nd 2010, 9:10 pm
#19
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Claiming tax back
In the US, WA state gives sales tax exemptions to any state or provincial residents that don't have a local sales tax. AB residents that can show a AB license get an exemption, BC residents don't. So for BC residents shopping in WA, there is the WA state tax of around 8%, plus 13% Canadian tax when you cross back, hardly makes it worth going down there anymore. Don't know what they'll do when we have HST in BC. HST is a federal tax, so no more provincial tax, maybe we'll get the exemption.
Jan 3rd 2010, 2:02 am
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Windsor, ON
Posts: 3,374
Re: Claiming tax back
In the US, WA state gives sales tax exemptions to any state or provincial residents that don't have a local sales tax. AB residents that can show a AB license get an exemption, BC residents don't. So for BC residents shopping in WA, there is the WA state tax of around 8%, plus 13% Canadian tax when you cross back, hardly makes it worth going down there anymore. Don't know what they'll do when we have HST in BC. HST is a federal tax, so no more provincial tax, maybe we'll get the exemption.
Jan 3rd 2010, 9:20 pm
#22
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1,830
Re: Claiming tax back
Thanks for all the replies.
I am not too bothered tbh. I have never done it before, it was only because the family suggested I do so.
I do think tourists have more of a right to claim the tax back due to the fact that we do not receive anything from the government like health care for example. PR's pay taxes and gain from it. What do the tourists gain?
Thanks for all the info
I am not too bothered tbh. I have never done it before, it was only because the family suggested I do so.
I do think tourists have more of a right to claim the tax back due to the fact that we do not receive anything from the government like health care for example. PR's pay taxes and gain from it. What do the tourists gain?
Thanks for all the info
Jan 3rd 2010, 9:45 pm
#23
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Claiming tax back
Use of the infrastructure, protection from the emergency services, access to public transit at the same rates as taxpayers, protection by government in regards to building safety, food safety and sanitation. Aside from paid healthcare tourists get access to pretty much the same as residents.
Jan 4th 2010, 1:55 am
#24
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Claiming tax back
Use of the infrastructure, protection from the emergency services, access to public transit at the same rates as taxpayers, protection by government in regards to building safety, food safety and sanitation. Aside from paid healthcare tourists get access to pretty much the same as residents.
