KathyWdrf

Any recent experience on getting the Canadian GST (goods and services tax) refunded on lodging and/or tours?

I was just in Canada (vacation, not business) and was pleasantly surprised to learn that lodging and tours that include lodging are eligible for the refund.

Of course, I have already printed out the official Canadian government brochure and form at:

CCRA Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada

(I know better than to use the rip-off agencies that take a cut for themselves.)

Post your tips here. (The deadline is a year away, so there's plenty of time for me to send in the form.) Thanks!


Kathy

ALadyNCal

I always forget to send mine in

My friend was in Vancouver a few months ago and turned hers in. I think she got her refund very quickly -- a couple of weeks.

cattle

I live here but would love to get my GST back

Hope you enjoyed your trip

CanuckFlyer

I've submitted several over the past couple of years and they are always processed quickly. Keep in mind that if your travel destination is the province of Ontario, you may also be eligible for a refund of provincial retail sales tax on all goods purchased, provided you spent at last $50 on each item and took the item with you when you left the country. Photocopies of receipts are acceptable for the provincial submission, but possibly not the federal GST refund application, as I recall.

CanuckFlyer

The link to the form:

http://www.trd.fin.gov.on.ca/userfil...Rsie_f0298.pdf

BTW, the only time I filed for a refund of the Ontario provincial tax, I had to follow up with a reminder that I hadn't been paid after several months. After the reminder, the payment came within a week or two.

B747-437B

GST refunds are quick and painless. Just fill out the form, enclose copies of the receipts and shoot it off to the given address.

KathyWdrf

I didn't purchase much in the way of goods, and no single purchase even close to $50 CAN.

But the refund on lodging GST will be nice.

One question: can I get a refund of the provincial (Ontario) tax on lodging as well?


Kathy

shuuy

I live in a province with no sales tax, so I can't comment on the Ontario refund, but I believe that the minimum price in order to qualify for the GST rebate is $125 / night...

B747-437B

Absolutely not. I have obtained GST rebates on rates as low as C$65/night.

CanuckFlyer

Sadly no. The provincial tax reimbursement only covers goods, not accommodations.

squeakr

having donehtis many a time


the rules are

you have to have spent total of $200 CDN AT LEAST on accomodations to be eligible - there is no per night requirement.

you have to sned in the ORIGINAL receipts, not copies, but keep copies. As thjis makes it probematic if it's lost, I always send my forms in global priority mail. It's * or so but it's been worth it,

Takes about 2 months, but after that time you can call and the summerside tax office will usually have you in their system. The good thing is one you're in the system subsequent trips take much less time.

if you do buy goods you want to request a rebate for, you;re supposed to havew them inspected at the airport before you leave. We haven't and have not (to this point) had a problem.

KathyWdrf

Yes, the requirement for a minimum expenditure of CDN $200 on lodging is clearly stated on the "do you qualify for a tax refund" page.

Also, I find the requirement for "original" receipts somewhat laughable. The original receipt from the hotel is always computer-printed. A photocopy looks identical to the original. So how do they tell what's an "original" and what isn't? (This requirement must date back a few decades!)


Kathy

B747-437B

I've never sent in originals and I've always had my check processed within 3 weeks.

CanuckFlyer

I have always had my goods stamped by Canada customs before I leave the country. Technically they can refuse to refund you the tax if you do not take this step. Depending on your departure time, it can be difficult to get your receipts stamped. Canada Customs offices are located in Canadian airports that have flights to US destinations, but sometimes they don't open early enough for very early departing flights. In that case, I've sometimes had my receipts stamped the day before, but only if I'm staying at an airport hotel anyway. I've never tried submitting non-stamped receipts for goods. (Hotel receipts definitely do not need stamping by customs.)

beergut

First time I bothered to claim it back it took about 6 months, just remembered coming up to 12 months for the last lot. !

Never did get mine back from Cyprus despite putting it in the box at customs.

Nigel