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| GST/PST Refunds for Canadian Purchases
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September 9, 2002
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Under certain circumstances tax on visitors' purchases in Canada is refundable. This letter from a reader and our reply explain more.
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Hello,
I need help locating an office where I can obtain a form to request a refund of GST taxes I paid on a recent vacation in Canada.
I thought I could obtain the form at Nanaimo, B.C. customs but they didn't have any, and I didn't think to ask at Friday Harbor where we cleared customs coming back into the U.S. Nothing in my CanPass papers suggest an address to write to. I am hoping you can help me.
I read with great interest your web site reports on clearing customs. Thanks for the great information you put out. LOVE THE WAGGONER! It has saved us from getting into trouble more than once while cruising.
Sincerely,
Shirley Wilson
Gig Harbor, Washington
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Response
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As to getting the correct form for refund, the quick answer is to go to www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/visitors. Once at that web site, click on Pamphlet RC4031 Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada. This will tell you the general kinds of things that qualify for GST/PST tax refunds and also what doesn't. If you decide you can jump through the hoops, click on Form GST176 Application for Visitor Tax Refund. Print out the form, fill in the blanks, attach documentation and send it in.
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Forms also are available in Canada, usually at hotels, since they qualify for refunds.
The instructions call for the receipts to be stamped by a Canada Customs agent, but for boaters that's not viable. To learn what boaters should do, I called the Visitor Rebate Enquiry number 1-902-432-5608. To my wonder and relief a real live person, a very pleasant lady, not only answered the phone, but answered my questions -- all by herself!
She said that in addition to original receipts, boaters should enclose with their application the following:
- Copy of vessel registration
- Canada Customs clearance number
- U.S. Customs clearance number
Fuel, food, meals and liquor do not qualify for refunds. Short-term lodging of less than 30 days does qualify, as do campsite fees. I presume that vessel moorage would be the same as a campsite fee, but note that each receipt must be for more than $50 Canadian.
I'm sure that most visitors don't apply for refunds, which helps Canada's tax revenues considerably.
--Bob Hale
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