Please note that the following document, although correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the Canada Revenue Agency. / Veuillez prendre note que ce document, bien qu'exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la position actuelle de l'Agence du revenu du Canada.
[Addressee]
Excise and GST/HST Rulings Directorate
Place de Ville, Tower A, 15th floor
320 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0L5
Case Number: 134463
Business Number: [...]
May 18, 2011
Dear [Client]:
Subject:
GST/HST RULING
Application of GST/HST to [...] [Crackers]
Thank you for your letter of March 25, 2011, concerning the application of the Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to [...] (the Product).
HST applies at the rate of 15% in Nova Scotia, 13% in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and 12% in British Columbia. GST applies at the rate of 5% in the remaining provinces and territories.
All legislative references are to the Excise Tax Act (ETA) unless otherwise specified.
Statement of Facts
Our understanding of the facts is as follows:
1. The Product comes in the form of [...] that are approximately [...] and are brittle and crispy in texture.
2. The Product is sold in [...] weighing [...] grams.
3. The Product is available in [...] varieties: [...]
4. The ingredients [...]
5. The ingredients [...]
6. Labelling on the Product packaging states: [...] CRACKERS; Nutrition Facts
Per [...] Crackers ([...]g) [...]
Ruling Requested
You would like to know how the GST/HST applies to supplies of the Product.
Ruling Given
Based on the facts set out above, we rule that supplies of the Product are zero-rated pursuant to section 1 of Part III of Schedule VI.
This ruling is subject to the qualifications in GST/HST Memorandum 1.4, Excise and GST/HST Rulings and Interpretations Service. We are bound by this ruling provided that none of the above issues are currently under audit, objection, or appeal, that no future changes to the ETA, regulations or our interpretative policy affect its validity, and all relevant facts and transactions have been fully disclosed.
Explanation
Generally, every recipient of a taxable supply made in Canada shall pay tax calculated at the rate of 5% on the value of the consideration for the supply (15% in Nova Scotia, 13% in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and 12% in British Columbia) unless the supply is zero-rated. The tax rate in respect of a zero-rated supply is 0%. A zero-rated supply is a supply that is included in Schedule VI.
Under Part III of Schedule VI, certain supplies of basic groceries are zero-rated. Section 1 of Part III of Schedule VI, zero-rates supplies of food or beverages for human consumption, including sweetening agents, seasonings and other ingredients mixed with or used in the preparation of such food or beverages, other than supplies included in paragraphs (a) to (r) of that section.
The terms "food" and "beverage" are not defined in the ETA. However, the Canada Revenue Agency considers a product to be a food or beverage if an average consumer would recognize and purchase the product as such in the ordinary course of buying basic groceries. Consumers usually consume food and beverages to allay hunger or quench thirst, or for enjoyment rather than for therapeutic or preventative effects.
As none of the exclusions under section 1 of Part III of Schedule VI apply, supplies of the Product are zero-rated.
If you require clarification with respect to any of the issues discussed in this letter, please call me directly at 613-952-9585. Should you have additional questions on the interpretation and application of GST/HST, please contact a GST/HST Rulings officer at 1-800-959-8287.
Yours truly,
Ben Boboski
Goods Unit
General Operations and Border Issues Division
Excise and GST/HST Rulings Directorate
UNCLASSIFIED
Email this Content