Toronto Ontario Traveller Facts

GST Information

GST Facts

The Goods and Services Tax was implemented in the 1980s and is similar in scope to VAT (Value Added Tax) in the UK.

Canadians don't like having tax hidden and most of the times you will find on invoices and receipts the various taxes shown and added to the price of what you are buying.

TravelInOntario.com is pleased to work with Global Refund Canada Ltd. and help visitors to Canada recover taxes paid on goods and services.

Did you know that tourists to Canada are eligible for a tax refund?

Global Refund assists visitors to Canada with mail-in GST Refund applications & Downtown, Airport Cash Refund Locations for the refund of sales taxes paid while in Canada.

In using this service, you have access to Global Refund's expertise gained in processing thousands of claims. With Global Refund's enhanced knowledge of the eligibility criteria and their ability to maximize your claim amount, the processing procedure is much quicker

Let the experts take care of the paperwork and the administrative formalities. You simply complete, print and mail the Tax Refund Form to Global Refund along with your eligible receipts. Alternatively, you may visit one of Global Refund's Cash Refund locations within Canada. Global Refund does the rest!

Select from the following methods for payment of your tax refund		Taxes on goods and accommodation which are eligible for a tax refund
- Bank drafts in multiple currencies		7% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Credit to your credit card		8% Ontario Sales Tax (PST) - See Note **
- Cash or credit at one of Global Refund's offices		15% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
** Ontario Provincial Sales Tax of 8% for Goods only. (Certain Conditions Apply)
The applicant must meet both of the conditions below:
1) Each individual receipt must show a minimum PST of $50
2) The goods must be exported within 30 days of the date of purchase shown.

Eligibility

You qualify for a tax refund if you meet ALL of these conditions:

You are not a resident of Canada
You are not an employee of the federal or provincial government living abroad (for example, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, consulates, etc.)
You submit original receipts only (copies, credit or debit card receipts will be rejected)
All Goods Receipts must be validated stamped by a customs officer upon your departure from Canada for proof of export. If you leave by air, car or cruise ship, follow the Canada Customs signs or signs that read 'Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada'. Accommodation receipts do not need to be stamped.
Each receipt shows a minimum $50 pre-tax and min $3.50 in GST
Your pre-tax purchases for eligible goods and accommodation (before taxes) total a minimum of $200 and min $14 in GST
Your claim is submitted within 10 months from the date of purchase

Eligible Expenses

Accommodation:

You can claim a refund on taxes paid on campground fees and eligible accommodation (room charge only) if both of these conditions apply:

You have paid taxes on the price of a hotel stay for less than 1 month (maximum 1 day less than 1 month)
Each receipt shows the number of nights of accommodation

In the case of travel tour packages, you can claim 50 % of the total amount of taxes paid (for example, if meals, transportation, guided tours and recreational fees were included in the price of the room).

Goods:

You can receive a refund for taxes paid on goods you take home with you. These goods must leave Canada within 60 days from the date of purchase (proof may be required).

For the purchase of a vehicle, you must enclose the following documents with your claim:

Original Bill of Purchase
Proof that the vehicle was exported out of Canada
Copy of the vehicle's registration from your country of residence
Copy of your driver's license

Goods and services NOT ELIGIBLE for a tax refund:

Meals and beverages (alcoholic or not)
Tobacco products
Fuel
Transportation (air, train, or bus tickets, and car rentals, etc.)
Services (dry cleaning, shoe repairs, auto repairs, entertainment, parking, etc.)
Professional services (wedding or funeral services)
Rental of travel trailers and all other recreational vehicles
Cruise ship cabins or train berths
Purchase of an interest in a time-share arrangement
Goods consumed or left in Canada Etc.

The rules and conditions are subject to changes without notice.

GST Refund FAQ

What expenditure can I claim?

Campground fees and accommodation expenses (room charges only) and goods purchased in Canada (that are removed from the country) are eligible for a tax refund.

May I send in a claim if I have several receipts that are less than $50, before taxes, but the total of those receipts is more than $200 before taxes?

NO. To be eligible, EACH receipt must be at least $50 before taxes, and the TOTAL of all those receipts must be at least $200 before taxes.

I stayed at a friend's place, and have therefore have not paid for any accommodation. May I still be reimbursed for taxes paid on goods?

YES. You may claim a tax refund on qualifying goods you take home with you (goods must be removed from Canada within 60 days of delivery to you), even if you do not submit any accommodation receipts.

I have noticed that provincial taxes vary from province to province. Which taxes are refundable?

In addition to the federal goods and services tax (GST), the provincial sales tax from Quebec (TVQ) and Manitoba (PST) are refundable. The 15% HST paid in the Maritime Provinces is also refundable on qualifying goods. Your claim can include taxes paid in more than one province.

How long do typical claims take?

Mail claims will take approximately 12 weeks before you receive your refund. Cash & Credit card refunds processing takes only a few minutes at one of Global Refund's Cash Refund offices

What if I submit wrong items?

Global Refund Canada completes the necessary government form on your behalf, ensuring that non-eligible items are not included in the refund claim. Claims that include non-eligible items are often either rejected or delayed by the government.

Why must I mail this form outside the country?

Claim forms bearing Canadian stamps are automatically rejected by the government, to ensure that you are a non-resident and that the goods have left Canada. Payment must also be sent to an address outside of Canada.

May I use only one form to claim for several visits?

Yes. If you are claiming for more than one visit to Canada, enclose a list of all arrival and departure dates.

May I claim a refund on behalf of a group of persons?

If you wish to claim a refund on behalf of a group, you must attach a list of the names and addresses of all persons on behalf of whom you are claiming the tax refund.