RC4036(E) Rev. 21

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Unless otherwise stated, all legislative references are to the Excise Tax Act and the GST/HST Regulations.

This guide uses plain language to explain the most common tax situations. It is provided for information only and does not replace the law.

La version française de ce guide est intitulée Renseignements sur la TPS/TVH pour l’industrie du tourisme et des congrès.

Table of contents

• Is this guide for you?
  • GST/HST and Quebec
• What's New?
• Definitions
• What is the GST/HST?
• How does the GST/HST work?
  • Who charges the GST/HST?
  • Who pays the GST/HST?
• Taxable supplies
  • Taxable supplies (other than zero-rated)
  • Zero-rated supplies
• Exempt supplies
• Should you register?
  • Voluntary registration
  • Reporting the GST/HST
• Accommodation and hospitality supplies
  • Accommodation
    • Are long stays at my hotel taxable?
    • Is my establishment a residential complex?
  • Accommodation – related supplies
  • Parking
  • Food and beverages
  • Banquet and catering services
  • Gratuities
• Deposits
• Coupons, gift certificates, and discounts
  • Reimbursable coupons
  • Non-reimbursable coupons
  • Other coupons
  • Gift certificates
  • Discounts
  • Third-party transactions
• Passenger transportation services
  • Terms used in this section
    • Passenger transportation service
    • Continuous journey
    • Taxation area
  • Domestic passenger transportation services
    • Which rate of tax applies – GST or HST?
    • Sales of domestic passenger transportation services to travel providers
  • International passenger transportation services
    • Continuous journey that includes air travel
    • Continuous journey that does not include air travel
  • Other services provided with a transportation service
  • Sales of taxable property and services on board conveyances in Canada
  • Sales of goods and services on board conveyances in international travel
• Travel agencies
  • What is a travel provider?
  • When do I charge tax on commissions?
    • When are my services zero‑rated?
    • Which rate of tax applies – GST or HST?
  • Collecting and reporting the GST/HST
• Tour packages
  • What is a tour package?
  • How does the GST/HST apply to tour packages?
    • Domestic tour packages
    • Tour packages combining supplies that are taxable, exempt, and made outside of Canada
    • Foreign tour packages
• Non-resident rebate for eligible tour packages
  • What is an eligible tour package?
    • What qualifies as short‑term or camping accommodation?
    • What qualifies as a service?
    • What is an all‑inclusive price?
    • Examples of eligible tour packages
    • Examples of non‑eligible tour packages
  • Rebate for non-resident tour operators
    • Who is a tour operator?
    • When is a rebate available to non‑resident tour operators?
  • Rebate for non-resident individuals, organizations, or businesses (other than tour operators)
    • When is a FCTIP rebate available?
  • How to claim a rebate for an eligible tour package
  • Paying or crediting the rebate amount
    • Non‑resident tour operators
    • Non‑resident individuals, organizations, or businesses (other than tour operators)
    • How do I pay or credit a rebate amount for an eligible tour package?
    • Reporting requirements
    • Examples where a supplier pays or credits the rebate amount
  • Joint liability
  • Are you filling out and filing a rebate application for a non-resident?
• Conventions
  • What is a related convention supply?
• Domestic conventions
  • Is GST/HST registration required?
    • Sponsors
    • Organizers
    • Exhibitors
  • Charging tax for domestic conventions
    • Convention facilities
    • Admissions
    • Related convention supplies
    • Exhibition space
• Foreign conventions
  • Is GST/HST registration required?
    • Sponsors
    • Organizers
    • Exhibitors
  • Charging tax for foreign conventions
    • Convention facilities
    • Admissions
    • Related convention supplies
    • Exhibition space
  • Rebate for foreign conventions
    • Who can claim a rebate?
    • What expenses are eligible for the rebate?
    • Can I pay or credit a rebate amount?
    • How to pay or credit a rebate amount
• Rebate for non-resident exhibitors
• Digital services
• For more information

Is this guide for you?

This guide gives information on how to charge the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) on
accommodation, tour packages, passenger transportation services, conventions, meeting facilities, and related convention supplies. It explains rebates for foreign conventions and non-resident exhibitors and includes information on how Canadian suppliers can pay or credit certain rebate amounts to non-residents. It also explains rebates regarding eligible tour packages, and short-term and/or camping accommodation resold in tour packages that may be available under limited circumstances.

GST/HST and Quebec

In Quebec, Revenu Québec generally administers the GST/HST. If the physical location of your business is in Quebec, you have to file your returns with Revenu Québec using its forms, unless you are a person that is a selected listed financial institution (SLFI) for GST/HST or Quebec sales tax (QST) purposes or both. For more information, see the Revenu Québec publication IN‑203‑V, General Information Concerning the QST and the GST/HST. If you are an SLFI, go to GST/HST and QST – Financial institutions, including selected listed financial institutions.

What's New?

We list the major changes below.

GST/HST Covid-19 – Deferring GST/HST remittances and payments until June 30th, 2020

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced measures on March 27, 2020, to help businesses manage certain GST/HST
payments, remittances and returns.

Online services for representatives

Authorized representatives can now register for online mail on behalf of their business clients by entering an email address when filing a GST/HST NETFILE return. For more information, go to Represent a Client.

GST/HST for digital economy businesses

As of July 1, 2021, digital economy businesses, including digital platform operators, may have potential goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) obligations under three new measures. This means you may have new obligations, including registering for, and charging and collecting the GST/HST.

Where the affected businesses and platform operators show that they have taken reasonable measures but are unable to
meet their new obligations for operational reasons, the CRA takes a practical approach to compliance and exercises
discretion in administering these new measures during a 12-month transition period, starting July 1, 2021.

Before the CRA exercises its discretion in the administration of the new measures, an affected business or platform operator must first obtain the CRA’s written approval that such discretion will be exercised. Submissions may be made to the CRA after July 1, 2021, until further notice.

A number of publications may be revised at a later date to reflect the new GST/HST digital economy measures. For more
information on these new measures and the definitions for the digital economy, go to GST/HST for digital economy businesses: Overview.

Definitions

Commercial activity means any business or adventure or concern in the nature of trade carried on by a person, but does not include:

• the making of exempt supplies
• any business or adventure or concern in the nature of trade carried on without a reasonable expectation of profit by an individual, a personal trust, or a partnership where all the members are individuals

Commercial activity also includes a supply of real property, other than an exempt supply, made by any person, whether or not there is a reasonable expectation of profit, and anything done in the course of making the supply or in connection with the making of the supply.

Consumer refers to a particular individual who acquires or imports property or services for personal consumption, use, or enjoyment or the personal consumption, use, or enjoyment by another individual at the particular individual's expense. It does not include individuals who acquire or import property or services for their commercial activities or to make an exempt supply.

Coupon is a document or other device, such as a voucher, receipt, or ticket that can be redeemed for a product or service or can be used to buy a product or service, but does not include a gift certificate or a barter unit.

Exempt supplies are supplies of property and services that are not subject to the GST/HST. GST/HST registrants generally cannot claim input tax credits to recover the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to make exempt supplies.

Input tax credit (ITC) means a credit that GST/HST registrants can claim to recover the GST/HST paid or payable for property or services they acquired, imported into Canada, or brought into a participating province for use, consumption, or supply in the course of their commercial activities.

Participating province means a province that has harmonized its provincial sales tax with the GST to implement the harmonized sales tax (HST). Participating provinces include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island, but do not include the Nova Scotia offshore area or the Newfoundland offshore area except to the extent that offshore activities, as defined in subsection 123(1) of the Excise Tax Act, are carried on in that area.

Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, the estate of a deceased individual, a trust, or any organization such as a society, a union, a club, an association, or a commission.

Property includes goods, real property, and intangible personal property such as trademarks, rights to use a patent, and admissions to a place of amusement, but does not include money.

Registrant means a person that is registered or has to be registered for the GST/HST.

Supply means the provision of property or a service in any way, including sale, transfer, barter, exchange, licence, rental, lease, gift, or disposition.

Taxable supplies are supplies of property and services that are made in the course of a commercial activity and are subject to the GST/HST (including zero-rated supplies).

Zero-rated supplies are supplies of property and services that are taxable at the rate of 0%. This means there is no GST/HST charged on these supplies, but GST/HST registrants (other than charities using the net tax calculation
for charities) may be eligible to claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to provide these supplies.

What is the GST/HST?

The goods and services tax (GST) is a tax that applies to many supplies of goods and services made in Canada. The GST also applies to many supplies of real property (for example, land, buildings and interests in such property) and intangible personal property such as trademarks, rights to use a patent, and digitized products downloaded from the Internet and paid for individually.

The participating provinces harmonized their provincial sales tax with the GST to implement the harmonized sales tax (HST) in those provinces. Generally, the HST applies to the same base of property (for example, goods) and services as the GST. In some participating provinces, there are point-of-sale rebates equivalent to the provincial part of the HST on certain qualifying items. For more information, see Guide RC4022, General Information for GST/HST Registrants.

GST/HST registrants who make taxable supplies (other than zero‑rated supplies) in the participating provinces collect tax at the applicable HST rate. GST/HST registrants collect tax at the 5% GST rate on taxable supplies they make in the rest of Canada (other than zero-rated supplies). Special rules apply for determining the place of supply. For more information on the HST and the place-of-supply rules, see GST/HST Technical Information Bulletin B-103, Harmonized Sales Tax – Place of supply rules for determining whether a supply is made in a province.

The HST rate can vary from one participating province to another. For the list of all applicable GST/HST rates, go to GST/HST calculator (and rates).

How does the GST/HST work?

If you are a GST/HST registrant, you generally have to charge and collect the GST/HST on taxable supplies (other than zero-rated supplies) you make in Canada and file regular GST/HST returns to report that tax.

You can generally claim an ITC on your GST/HST return to recover the GST/HST paid or payable on purchases and expenses to the extent you use, consume, or supply them in your commercial activities.

For the consumer, there is no difference between zero-rated and exempt supplies of property and services because tax is not collected in either case. However, one of the differences for you, as the registrant, is that although you do not collect the GST/HST on zero-rated or exempt supplies of property and services, you can only claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on purchases acquired to make zero-rated supplies of property and services.

When you fill out your GST/HST return, deduct your ITCs from the GST/HST you charged your customers. The result is your net tax.

If the total amount of tax you charged is more than the amount of your ITCs, send the CRA the difference. If the total amount of tax you charged is less than the amount of your ITCs, you can claim a refund.

For more information, see Guide RC4022, General Information for GST/HST Registrants. If you are a non‑resident, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non‑Residents.

Who charges the GST/HST?

Generally, GST/HST registrants have to collect the GST/HST on all taxable (other than zero-rated) supplies of property and services they provide to their customers.

Who pays the GST/HST?

Almost everyone has to pay the GST/HST on purchases of taxable supplies of property and services (other than zero-rated supplies). However, Indians and some groups and organizations, such as certain provincial and territorial governments, do not always pay the GST/HST on their purchases. For more information, go to GST/HST for businesses.

Taxable supplies

Most property and services supplied in or imported into Canada are subject to the GST/HST.

Taxable supplies (other than zero-rated)

The following are examples of taxable, other than zero-rated, supplies (for the list of all applicable GST/HST rates, go to GST/HST calculator (and rates):

• hotel and other short-term accommodation in Canada
• convention space and meeting rooms
• services provided by travel agents (with some exceptions)
• domestic tour packages
• most domestic passenger transportation by bus, train, ship, or aircraft
• trans–border air travel to the continental United States and the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon
• international day trips by road or rail
• car rentals in Canada
• a service of ticket cancellation for domestic travel services
• taxi rides and commercial ride-sharing services
• restaurant meals
• most admissions to theatres, museums, and other places of amusement

Zero-rated supplies

Some supplies are zero-rated under the GST/HST – that is, GST/HST applies at a rate of 0%. This means that you do not charge GST/HST on these supplies, but you may be eligible to claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to provide these supplies. The following are examples of supplies taxable at 0% (zero-rated):

• basic groceries such as milk, bread, and vegetables
• prescription drugs and drug-dispensing services
• certain medical devices such as hearing aids, and artificial teeth
• feminine hygiene products
• international passenger air travel, except to the continental United States and the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon
• international passenger transportation by road and rail, except day trips
• most property and services supplied in Canada when exported under certain circumstances

For more information, see GST/HST Memoranda Series, Chapter 4, Zero-Rated Supplies.

Exempt supplies

Some supplies are exempt from the GST/HST – that is, no GST/HST applies to them. This means that you do not charge the GST/HST on these supplies of property and services, and you are generally not entitled to claim ITCs on property and services acquired to provide these supplies. Generally, you cannot register for the GST/HST if your business provides only exempt supplies; one exception is if you are a listed financial institution resident in Canada.

The following are examples of exempt supplies:

• most long-term residential accommodation (of one month or more) and residential condominium fees
• accommodation rented for $20 or less for each day of occupancy
• travel insurance provided by an insurance company
• ferry services (other than zero-rated) and the use of toll highways and toll bridges
• municipal transit services
• child care services where the primary purpose is to provide care and supervision to children 14 years of age or under for periods less than 24 hours per day. This does not include a service of supervising an unaccompanied child made by persons who provide taxable passenger transportation services.

Should you register?

You have to register for the GST/HST if both of the following apply:

• you provide taxable supplies in Canada (other than as a non-resident who does not carry on business in Canada)
• you are not a small supplier

Generally, you are a small supplier if the total amount of all revenues (before expenses) from your worldwide taxable supplies from all your businesses and those of your associates, is CAN$30,000 or less (CAN$50,000 for public service bodies) over the last four consecutive calendar quarters and in any one calendar quarter.

In determining the total amount of revenues from taxable supplies (including zero-rated supplies) of property and services made inside and outside Canada by you and your associates, do not include revenues from supplies of financial services, sales of capital property, and goodwill from the sale of a business. For examples of supplies that need to be included in this calculation, see Taxable supplies.

Voluntary registration

Although you generally do not have to register if you are a small supplier, you may be able to register voluntarily. If you register, you must charge the GST/HST on your taxable supplies of property and services and report that amount on your GST/HST return. You can also claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on purchases related to these supplies. You have to stay registered for at least one year before you can ask to cancel your registration.

If you choose not to register, you cannot charge the GST/HST, and you cannot claim ITCs.

For more information, go to GST/HST for businesses or see Guide RC4022, General Information for GST/HST Registrants, or Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.

Reporting the GST/HST

If you are a GST/HST registrant, you have to file a GST/HST return for each reporting period (either monthly, quarterly, or annually) to report the total amount of the GST/HST you charged your customers during the reporting period. The GST/HST you report has to include amounts you billed or invoiced, even if the amounts have not yet been paid.

As a registrant, you can also claim ITCs on your return to recover the GST/HST paid or payable on purchases and expenses you use in your commercial activities.

When you fill out your return, you can deduct your ITCs from the GST/HST charged. If the tax you charged your customers is more than the tax paid or payable on your purchases, remit the difference to the CRA with your return. If the tax you charged your customers is less than the tax paid or payable, you can claim a refund on your return.

For more information, go to GST/HST for businesses or see Guide RC4022.

Accommodation and hospitality supplies

Accommodation

Generally, you have to charge the GST/HST when you rent out a suite or room in a hotel, motel, inn, boarding house, lodging house or other similar premises (collectively referred to as a hotel).

However, you do not have to charge the GST/HST if you rent a residential unit for $20 or less per day of occupancy, regardless of the rental period. A residential unit includes a house, an apartment and a suite or room in a hotel that is occupied by an individual as a place of residence or lodging under a lease, license or similar arrangement.

In addition, you do not have to charge the GST/HST if you rent a residential complex or a residential unit in a residential complex for occupancy as a place of residence or lodging by the same individual for a continuous period of one month or more.

When monthly room rentals are exempt from the GST/HST, how often the room charge is billed (for example, daily, weekly or monthly) does not change the exempt status, as long as the arrangement gives the individual or individuals continuous use or possesson of the same room for at least one month.

Are long term stays at my hotel taxable?

A long term stay (a stay for continuous occupancy by the same individual for one month or longer) in a hotel is generally taxable because, in most cases, a hotel is not a residential complex.

However, under limited circumstances, a hotel could be a residential complex for GST/HST purposes and long term stays would not be taxable.

A hotel is considered to be a residential complex if more than 10% of all of the residential units in the hotel are, or are expected to be, rented for continuous possession or use of 60 days or more.

Calculation methods to determine status as a residential complex

If your hotel has rentals for less than 60 days and rentals for 60 days or more, use either the revenue method or the room supply method to determine if your hotel qualifies as a residential complex.

You can choose the method that is appropriate for your specific circumstances. Both methods are described in the example below.

The time period you can use to determine whether your hotel qualifies as a residential complex is flexible. However, the period must be reasonable for the particular rentals in question and you must use it consistently. We consider a one-year period appropriate. However, the period could differ depending on the nature of your operation, for example, a seasonal operation.

Accommodation – related supplies

The GST/HST applies to other supplies made to customers during their stay, regardless of the length of the stay or cost of the accommodation. These include:

• room service
• pay-per-view movies
• telephone, photocopies, and faxes
• laundry and dry cleaning

Parking

Generally, parking is taxable. However, parking is exempt if it is supplied for a period of at least one month to a guest in a residential complex and either of the following applies:

• the parking space is part of the residential complex (regardless of who supplies the parking space)
• the parking space is not part of the residential complex but is supplied by the accommodation provider and the use of the space is incidental to the use and enjoyment of the accommodation as a place of residence for individuals

Food and beverages

You charge the GST/HST on food and beverages sold in dining rooms, coffee shops, bars, lounges, and convention facilities and on food and beverages sold through room service.

However, the following supplies of food are zero-rated:

• food consisting of sweetened baked goods such as pies and cakes, muffins, tarts, doughnuts, cookies, and similar sweetened goods, not sold for consumption at the outlet and that is either:
  • pre-packaged for sale to consumers in quantities of six or more single servings
  • not pre-packaged for sale to consumers, and a consumer purchases six or more single servings at a time

Banquet and catering services

The GST/HST applies to most supplies of food and beverages catered in banquet and meeting rooms, or at on-site locations. This means that you charge and collect the GST/HST on such things as prepared platters, hot meals, and beverages. Wine-corking and any other supplies made to cater a banquet or meeting function are also taxable at the applicable GST/HST rate.

Gratuities

Gratuities that customers voluntarily give to employees are not taxable for GST/HST purposes. However, if you include a gratuity as part of the charge for a taxable service on an invoice to your customer, the GST/HST applies to the service charge.

Deposits

Do not collect the GST/HST when a customer gives you a deposit towards a taxable purchase. Collect the GST/HST on the deposit when you apply it to the purchase price.

If the customer does not make the purchase and loses the deposit, the forfeited deposit is subject to the GST/HST. If the customer is a GST/HST registrant, the customer can claim an ITC for the GST/HST paid on the forfeited deposit.

Calculate the GST/HST on the forfeited deposit as follows:

• The GST is equal to the forfeited amount multiplied by 5/105
• The HST is equal to the forfeited amount multiplied by:
  • 13/113 where the rate of 13% applies
  • 15/115 where the rate of 15% applies

If the customer who forfeited the deposit is a GST/HST registrant, the customer may be entitled to claim an ITC for the GST/HST included in the forfeited amount when all of the other conditions for claiming an ITC are met because the customer is considered to have paid that tax.

Coupons, gift certificates, and discounts

Reimbursable coupons

Reimbursable coupons are usually called manufacturers’ coupons. They entitle the customer to a reduction of a fixed dollar amount on the purchase price. Vendors can expect to be reimbursed an amount by the manufacturer or another third party for accepting these coupons from customers. The value of the coupons includes the GST/HST, when used to purchase taxable supplies (other than zero-rated supplies). For example, a chain of hotels (franchisor) may reimburse a franchisee that redeems coupons that entitle a guest to a reduction of a fixed dollar amount for a night's stay at one of the chain's hotels.

When you, as a vendor, accept a reimbursable coupon from a customer, you treat the coupon the same as cash. If the purchase is subject to tax, you charge the GST/HST on the full price of the item and then deduct the value of the coupon. We consider you to have collected a portion of the GST/HST equal to the tax fraction of the value of the coupon.

Report the GST/HST charged on your sales when you prepare your GST/HST return. The value of the coupon does not have to be reported separately.

The tax fractions are as follows:

• 5/105 for the GST
• 13/113 for the HST where the rate of 13% applies
• 15/115 for the HST where the rate of 15% applies

The manufacturer who reimburses you can also claim an ITC (other than for zero-rated supplies) for the tax fraction of the coupon value. However, you, as the vendor who accepts the reimbursable coupons from the customer, cannot claim any ITCs for these coupons since you are reimbursed the tax by the manufacturer.

Non-reimbursable coupons

These are coupons that you, as the vendor, issue and accept, and for which no one reimburses you. They entitle the customer to a reduction in the price for a fixed dollar amount or a fixed percentage amount. As the issuer, you have the option to include the GST/HST in the value of the coupons when the coupons are used to purchase taxable goods or services (other than zero-rated goods or services).

If you choose to include the GST/HST in the value of the coupons, you treat them the same way as reimbursable coupons. This means that you charge and remit the GST/HST on the full price of the good or service and you can claim an ITC calculated on the tax fraction of the coupon value. Your coupon should state that the GST/HST is included in the value.

If you choose not to include the GST/HST in the value of your coupons, deduct the coupon value from the selling price before calculating the GST/HST.

In this case, when you file your GST/HST return, report the GST/HST you charged on the net price, which is the price after you deduct the coupon value. You cannot claim ITCs for coupons you issue that do not include the GST/HST.

Other coupons

Other coupons (whether reimbursable or not) that are not for a fixed dollar amount may do any of the following:

• offer a different percentage off the price of an item (such as 10% off the purchase of 5 or less boxes and 20% off the purchase of 6 or more boxes)
• offer an item for no charge if another item is purchased (such as two-for-one coupons)
• contain more than one monetary discount such as 25¢ off a 750 ml soft drink or 50¢ off a 1.5 litre soft drink

These coupons reduce the selling price of an item before the GST/HST is added. Therefore, deduct the value of the coupons from the selling price before calculating the GST/HST.

Gift certificates

A gift certificate (including gift cards and online gift certificates) is generally a voucher, receipt, or ticket that meets all of the following conditions:

• has a stated monetary value or is for a particular supply of property or a service
• is issued or sold for consideration
• is accepted as payment or partial payment of the consideration for a supply of property or a service
• has only to be presented as a means of payment without any obligation imposed on the holder
• has no intrinsic value

Do not collect the GST/HST on the sale of a gift certificate. When a customer gives you a gift certificate towards a purchase, calculate the GST/HST on the price of the item and deduct the amount of the gift certificate as if it were cash.

For more information about gift certificates, see GST/HST Policy Statement P-202, Gift Certificates.

Discounts

Do not charge the GST/HST on property and services you offer free of charge. Generally, if you offer a discount, the GST/HST applies on the price after the discount. For example, if a room rate is regularly $99 and you offer a weekend special rate of $79, charge the GST/HST on $79 for that special rate.

Third-party transactions

A hotel may enter into an agreement with other businesses, such as restaurants or parking lots, where the other business agrees to provide property or services to the hotel's guests but the amount payable by the guest is included on the bill issued by the hotel. Depending on the terms of the agreement, the hotel may be purchasing the property or services and selling them to their guests or acting as an agent in making a transaction on behalf of the other business.

Whether a hotel is acting as an agent is a question of fact and depends on the terms of the agreement between the parties involved. For more information, see GST/HST Info Sheet GI-012, Agents.

Passenger transportation services

This section gives information on how the GST/HST applies to domestic and international passenger transportation services. Before explaining whether a passenger transportation service is subject to the 5% GST or the HST at the applicable rate, several terms need to be defined.

Terms used in this section

Passenger transportation service

A passenger transportation service is any mode of transportation available to the public, such as transportation by bus, taxi, train, aircraft, boat or motor vehicle as long as there is all of the following:

• a mode of conveyance
• an operator of the conveyance independent of the traveller
• an itinerary

Generally, an itinerary describes all elements of a journey, including origin, termination, stopovers, dates and times of arrivals and departures, and all modes of conveyance throughout the journey.

Ski lifts, horseback rides, hot-air-balloon rides, and hang gliding are not considered passenger transportation services. Vehicle rentals that the traveller operates and controls, such as automobiles, motor homes, motorcycles, bicycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and other recreational vehicles, are also not considered to be passenger transportation services.

Continuous journey

Generally, a continuous journey of an individual (or group of individuals) means the set of all passenger transportation services provided to the individual or group as part of the same journey. However, certain conditions must be met before a journey is a continuous journey.

To find out if a journey is a continuous journey, first consider whether all of the passenger transportation services in the journey are provided on one ticket or on two or more tickets.

One ticket

If you provide one or more passenger transportation services for which you issue one ticket or voucher, all of the passenger transportation services on that ticket or voucher are part of one continuous journey.

Two or more tickets

If you provide more than one passenger transportation service and you issue separate tickets or vouchers for the different legs of the journey, all of the legs may be part of one continuous journey if all of the following conditions are met:

• All of the tickets or vouchers are issued by the same supplier or by two or more suppliers through one agent acting on behalf of all the suppliers.
• All tickets are supplied at the same time and the supplier or agent keeps documentation to show that there is no stopover between any legs of the journey.
• If the tickets or vouchers are issued at different times, the supplier or agent keeps documentation showing that there is no stopover between any legs of the journey.

Origin

Origin means, for a continuous journey, the place where the first passenger transportation service that is included in the continuous journey begins.

Stopover

A stopover, for a continuous journey, is any place where a traveller, or a group of travellers, boards or exits an aircraft, bus, train, boat, or other mode of passenger transportation for any reason other than to transfer to another conveyance, or for the conveyance to be serviced or refuelled.

A stop of more than 24 hours between two legs of a journey is generally considered a stopover when two or more tickets are issued for the legs of the journey. However, if the supplier or agent can prove that the stop is for servicing or refuelling the conveyance, or for the traveller to transfer to another conveyance, the stop is not considered a stopover. The legs will still be a part of the continuous journey, and the continuous journey status will be unaffected.

A stop between two legs of a journey that is 24 hours or less is not considered a stopover and will not affect whether the legs are part of a continuous journey.

Termination for a continuous journey

The termination, for a continuous journey, is the place where the last passenger transportation service that is included in the continuous journey ends.

Taxation area

Taxation area means Canada, the United States (except Hawaii), and the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Domestic passenger transportation services

Generally, the GST/HST applies to all passenger transportation services provided in Canada. This includes transportation by bus between two Canadian cities.

However, a domestic passenger transportation service may be zero-rated if it is part of a continuous journey that has an international element. For more information, see Sales of domestic passenger transportation services to travel providers and International passenger transportation services.

Which rate of tax applies – GST or HST?

The tax that applies depends on the province in which you supply the domestic passenger transportation service.

If the passenger transportation service is supplied:

• in a participating province, the supply is subject to the HST
• in a non-participating province, the supply is subject to the GST

Place of supply of passenger transportation service that is part of a continuous journey

Generally, a passenger transportation service that is part of a continuous journey is made in the province in which the continuous journey originates if the termination and all stopovers are in Canada. If the termination or a stopover is outside Canada, the passenger transportation service is made in a non-participating province.

Passenger transportation service that is not part of a continuous journey

A passenger transportation service that is not part of a continuous journey is made in the province in which the service originates. However, if the passenger transportation service ends outside Canada, the service is made in a non-participating province.

Sales of domestic passenger transportation services to travel providers

A domestic passenger transportation service supplied to a travel provider, such as a non-resident tour operator, is zero-rated if both of the following conditions are met:

• the travel provider resells the domestic transportation service to an individual as part of a continuous journey under which all transportation services are zero-rated
• the individual uses the transportation as part of a continuous journey under which all transportation services are zero-rated

The supplier must get proof from the travel provider that the transportation service was resold as part of a continuous journey under which all transportation services were zero-rated. Acceptable proof includes a passenger list, a tour itinerary, and a certificate of zero-rated entitlement.

The passenger list must contain the names and addresses of the travellers. However, the supplier can agree that the travel provider can keep the passenger list and provide it on request.

The following certificate of zero-rated entitlement is an example of the information required.

To:_________________________________________________________________
(name and address of registered supplier of transportation service)
We hereby certify that the following passenger transportation services that we have purchased from you, namely:
___________________________________________________________________
(detailed description of the required services the supplier will provide)
will be included in one or more continuous journeys or tour packages, and will qualify for zero-rated status under the Excise Tax Act. We will pay the GST/HST at the applicable rate in respect of any transportation service found to be taxable at the applicable rate during an audit of
___________________________________________________________________
(name of registered supplier)
Dated at________________________this___________day of__________20___
___________________________________________________________________
Signature of authorized officer of recipient
___________________________________________________________________
Name of recipient or authorized representative
___________________________________________________________________
Title of authorized representative

The supplier must determine whether all criteria to zero-rate the transportation services in the continuous journey are met, or whether the GST/HST at the applicable rate has to be charged. If the supplier determines that a domestic passenger transportation service does not meet the zero-rating criteria, the travel provider has to pay the applicable GST/HST to the supplier.

Sometimes the sale of the domestic passenger transportation service happens before the travel provider assembles and sells the continuous journey or tour package containing the transportation services to individual travellers. In this case, the supplier can accept an interim certificate or other declaration of intent from the travel provider. The travel provider must follow up on the interim document with proof that all criteria for zero-rated status have been met.

If later it is determined that the domestic passenger transportation service does not meet the zero-rating criteria, as previously thought, the supplier has to charge and collect the GST/HST on that supply. If the supplier has already filed its return for the reporting period in which it made that supply, it has to ask that the previously filed return be amended to include the GST/HST on that supply. Interest will apply on any amount due as a result of the amendment. To ask for an amendment to a return, write to your tax services office with the details.

If you have charged tax on a domestic passenger transportation service that meets the zero-rating criteria, you can refund the amount charged as tax to the client if all the refund criteria are met.

International passenger transportation services

In many cases, passenger transportation services can be zero-rated if they are part of a continuous journey that meets certain conditions. These conditions are different depending on whether air travel is included in the continuous journey.

Continuous journey that includes air travel

A domestic passenger transportation service is zero-rated if it is provided to an individual (or group of individuals) as part of a continuous journey that includes air travel and any one of the following applies:

• the origin of the continuous journey is outside Canada but inside the taxation area. For example, if the origin of a continuous journey is in the continental United States, all passenger transportation services in that journey are zero-rated because the origin is outside Canada but inside the taxation area
• the origin or termination of the continuous journey or any stopover during the continuous journey is outside the taxation area
• the origin, termination, and all stopovers during the continuous journey are outside Canada
• all places where the individual or group embarks or disembarks an aircraft are outside Canada and the origin or termination of the continuous journey, or any stopover during that journey, is outside Canada.

For a continuous journey that includes air travel, as long as there is an overseas origin, termination, or stopover, all domestic passenger transportation services included in the continuous journey are zero-rated.

Continuous journey that does not include air travel

Generally, the GST/HST applies to trans–border day trips (without air travel) when both the origin and termination are in Canada and the traveller is not scheduled to be outside Canada for more than 24 hours.

A trans-border day trip originating in a non-participating province is generally subject to the GST. Such a trip originating in a participating province is generally subject to the HST. Examples of taxable trans-border day trips taxable at the applicable rate include:

• a bus tour beginning and ending in Canada, which starts in New Brunswick and has a stop in the state of Maine (subject to the HST)
• a one-day, round-trip bus excursion from Alberta to the state of Montana (subject to the GST)
• a one-day fall bus round-trip excursion from Montréal, Quebec, to the state of New Hampshire (subject to the GST)

However, if a passenger transportation service (other than one that is included in most trans-border day trips) is provided to an individual (or group of individuals) as part of a continuous journey that does not include air travel, that domestic passenger transportation service will be zero-rated if one of the following applies:

• the origin or termination of the continuous journey is outside Canada
• there is a stopover outside Canada

This includes transportation by bus or train between Canada and the United States. However, it does not apply when the transportation is included in a trans–border day trip, mentioned earlier in this section.

Other services provided with a transportation service

The following services, if provided by the same supplier of the passenger transportation service, will have the same tax status as that transportation service:

• a service of issuing, delivering, amending, replacing, or cancelling a ticket, voucher, or reservation for a taxable transportation service supplied in Canada
• a service of supervising an unaccompanied child
• a service of transporting an individual's baggage

This means that if you provide one of these other services listed above with a transportation service that you also provide, the GST/HST will apply to the other service as follows:

• if the transportation service is subject to the GST, that other service is subject to the GST
• if the transportation service is subject to the HST, that other service is subject to the HST
• if the transportation service is zero-rated, that other service is also zero-rated

If the passenger transportation services in a continuous journey are zero-rated, a service of supervising an unaccompanied child will also be zero-rated if it is provided during one or more legs of the child's continuous journey.

If the service mentioned above is not supplied with a passenger transportation service, it has to be separately considered to determine which tax rate applies.

Sales of taxable property and services on board conveyances in Canada

If, while providing a passenger transportation service in Canada, you sell taxable property and services on board a conveyance during a leg of a journey, the supply is made in the province in which that leg of the journey begins. Therefore, if that leg begins in a non-participating province, the supply is subject to the GST. If that leg begins in a participating province, the supply is subject to the HST at the rate in effect in that province.

Sales of goods and services on board conveyances in international travel

For GST/HST purposes, an international flight means any flight (other than a flight originating and terminating in Canada) of an aircraft that is operated by a person in the course of a business of supplying passenger transportation
services. Similarly, an international voyage means any voyage (other than a voyage originating and terminating
in Canada) of a vessel that is operated by a person in the course of a business of supplying passenger transportation
services.

If you supply goods or services to the individual on the aircraft or vessel on an international flight or voyage, the supply is considered to be made outside Canada and is not subject to the GST/HST if:

• in the case of goods, physical possession of the goods is transferred to the individual on board the aircraft or vessel
• in the case of services, the services are wholly performed on the aircraft or vessel

Travel agencies

Travel agencies usually act as agents for selling property and services on behalf of other businesses, such as airlines and hotels, and receive a commission for their services.

Travel agencies may also be suppliers of property and services. For example, if you are a travel agency that buys a block of airline flights and hotel rooms for resale, you are not acting as an agent. You are the supplier of those flights and rooms. If the flights and rooms are taxable (other than zero-rated), you have to charge and report the GST/HST on those sales.

What is a travel provider?

For the purposes of this guide, travel providers are travel agents, hotels, air carriers, tour operators, and cruise operators. If you buy travel products or tour packages to resell, we consider you to be a travel provider.

When do I charge tax on commissions?

If you are acting as an agent, the GST/HST applies to your commissions, unless the services you provide are zero-rated. However, if you are an independent travel agent registered for the GST/HST and you provide services to a travel agency, your services to the travel agency are subject to the GST/HST even if, on behalf of the travel agency, you make zero-rated supplies.

When are my services zero-rated?

Your service is zero-rated when you act as an agent for a person providing passenger transportation services in any of the following situations:

• selling a zero-rated passenger transportation service for them
• selling a service of transporting an individual's baggage for them in connection with a zero-rated passenger transportation service
• selling a service of supervising an unaccompanied child for them in connection with a zero-rated passenger transportation service
• issuing, delivering, amending, replacing, or cancelling a ticket or reservation for a zero-rated passenger transportation service on their behalf

Also, if you are a travel agency acting as an agent for a non-resident person, your service is zero-rated in either of the following situations:

• the service relates to a sale made outside Canada by or to the non-resident
• the service relates to a zero-rated sale of exported goods or services to the non-resident

Which rate of tax applies – GST or HST?

Generally, if the travel agency's service is performed in whole or in part in Canada, the service is considered to have been supplied in Canada and is subject to the GST/HST at the applicable rate.

For a travel agency's taxable (other than zero-rated) services supplied in Canada, the tax that applies will depend on whether the agency's services are supplied in a participating or a non-participating province.

If the service is supplied:

• in a participating province, the supply is subject to the HST
• in a non-participating province, the supply is subject to the GST

Place-of-supply rules apply to determine whether a supply that is made in Canada is made in a participating province or a non-participating province.

Place-of-supply rules for travel agencies' services

Travel agencies usually act as agents for selling property and services on behalf of other businesses, such as airlines and hotels, and receive a commission for their services.

The general place of supply rules for services are subject to specific place of supply rules for certain services such as for
supplies of services in relation to certain types of property. A supply of a service is generally made in a province where
the supplier obtains a single home or business address of the recipient in the ordinary course of its business and that
address is situated in that province. Where the supplier does not obtain any home or business address of the
recipient in the ordinary course of its business, but obtains another single address in Canada of the recipient, that
address will be used in determining the place of supply.

Where, in the ordinary course of its business, the supplier does not obtain an address in Canada of the recipient, the supply of services is made in a participating province if the services that are performed in Canada are performed primarily in the participating provinces. The supply is made in the participating province in which the greatest proportion of the service is performed.

In the case where the greatest proportions of the service are performed equally in two or more participating provinces and it therefore cannot be determined in which participating province the greatest proportion of the service is performed, the HST will apply at the rate that is highest among those participating provinces.

If the services are performed primarily in the non-participating provinces or are performed equally in participating and non-participating provinces, the supply of services is made in a non-participating province and will be subject to the GST at 5%.

A supply of a service in relation to real property that is situated in Canada and is situated primarily (more than 50%) in the participating provinces is made in the participating province in which the greatest proportion of the real property that is situated in the participating provinces is situated.

If this rule does not result in the determination of a single participating province because the greatest proportions of the real property are equally situated in two or more participating provinces, the supply of the service is made in the participating province among those provinces that has the highest rate for the provincial part of the HST. If two or more of the participating provinces in this case have the same rate for the provincial part of the HST, HST will be required to be charged by the supplier using that particular rate.

A supply of a service in relation to real property that is situated in Canada and otherwise than primarily (50% or less) in participating provinces is made in a non-participating province.

Collecting and reporting the GST/HST

If a travel agency is the supplier of travel products, the travel agency has to charge, collect, and report the GST/HST on the travel products (unless they are zero-rated).

When a travel agency is not the supplier of the travel products, but instead acts as an agent for another person who is the supplier, the travel agency only has to charge, collect, and report the GST/HST on the commission it charges (unless the supplies are zero-rated). The supplier of the travel products is responsible for charging, collecting, and reporting the GST/HST on the supply of the travel products (unless they are zero-rated). Although the supplier of the products is responsible for charging and accounting for the GST/HST, the travel agency may invoice and collect the tax from the purchaser and pass it on to the supplier.

Tour packages

What is a tour package?

As in any transaction, it is important to properly characterize what is being supplied to determine how the GST/HST applies to that transaction. For example, when a registrant combines two or more services or property and services together, the registrant must determine whether it is making one supply or multiple supplies and must characterize that supply or those supplies accordingly.

A tour package is a combination of two or more services or of property and services that includes transportation services, accommodation, a right to use a campground or trailer park, or guide or interpreter services when the property and services are supplied together for an all-inclusive price. A tour package is a single supply for GST/HST purposes. Generally, a tour package is a combination of various components to create something new.

However, not all combinations of two or more services, or of property and services, are considered to be tour packages. A combination that includes elements such as transportation services or accommodation may not be a tour package for GST/HST purposes. The nature and purpose of the package being sold has to be considered to determine whether it is a tour package or something else. For example, if the overall purpose of a package is to provide a specialized service (such as wellness packages, educational or counselling packages, children's overnight camps, sports tournaments, or concert tours), it is not considered to be a tour package for GST/HST purposes.

As illustrated in the following examples, the meaning of tour package could result in a combination of two or more services, or of property and services, being considered a tour package for GST/HST purposes even though the package may not fit the common perception of a tour package. However, the reverse is also possible. That is, something that may appear to be a tour package may not be a tour package for GST/HST purposes.

How does the GST/HST apply to tour packages?

To determine the amount of the GST/HST you have to charge when you sell a tour package, you begin by identifying the tax rate(s) that would have applied to each element of that tour package if you had sold each element separately and not as part of a tour package. For each element, you have to determine in which province the supply is made.

Domestic tour packages

Same rate of tax

When you sell an entirely Canadian tour and all of the parts of the tour package would have been taxable at the same rate if these elements had been supplied separately and not as part of a tour package, you charge that rate on the total selling price of the tour package. You can generally claim an ITC for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services you bought and included in the tour package.

Combined rates of tax

When you sell an entirely Canadian tour package and elements of the package would have been taxable at different rates if they had been supplied separately and not as part of a tour package, you have to consider each element separately to determine the total tax payable on the tour package. To do this, for each element, you have to consider the place-of-supply rules to determine in which province the supply is made.

Tour packages combining supplies that are taxable, exempt, and made outside of Canada

When you sell a tour package that includes elements that are taxable at different rates, exempt, or are supplied outside of Canada, you have to determine the tax status of each element separately (as if you were selling each element separately and not as part of a tour package). The cost of the taxable elements of the tour package then has to be prorated as a percentage of the total cost of the tour package so that you can determine the total tax payable on the selling price of the tour package.

The taxable portions of a tour package are the portions of the tour package that would be subject to the GST/HST, other than zero-rated supplies (taxable elements) if you had supplied the element separately. To calculate the taxable portions, determine in which province each element is supplied. Then, add up the elements that are subject to the same tax rate and divide each result by the total cost of property and services included in the package.

The non-taxable portion of a tour package includes elements that, if supplied separately from the tour package, would be zero-rated, supplied outside Canada, or exempt.

If some elements in the taxable portions of a tour package would have been taxed at 5% if supplied separately and not as part of the package, and some would have been taxed at different HST rates, you have to determine the percentage of the taxable portions subject to each rate of tax.

Usually, a tour operator continues to use the same percentages for each tax rate to determine the amount of tax to charge (even if a discount is offered) whenever it sells the tour package.

If the tour operator sells the tour package to another registrant tour operator, the other operator has to charge the GST/HST using the same percentage for each tax rate when it resells the tour package. The other tour operator applies these percentages to its selling price for the tour package to determine how much tax it charges. If the tour operator changes the tour package by adding or deleting elements, it is likely a new tour package and the tour operator has to recalculate the percentages. For more information, refer to GST/HST Memorandum 27.1, Calculating the GST/HST on Tour Packages.

Change in tour package

If there is a significant change in the cost of acquiring the elements included in the package, you may have to recalculate the taxable portions and the non-taxable portions before calculating the GST/HST to be charged on the tour package. For more information, refer to GST/HST Memorandum 27.1, Calculating the GST/HST on Tour Packages.

You have to keep records to show how you calculated the taxable portions of tour packages and the percentages. It is your responsibility to make sure any travel agency acting on your behalf collects the correct amount of GST/HST from your customer.

Foreign tour packages

Tour operators do not charge the GST/HST on exclusively foreign tour packages. For example, a tour operator does not charge a traveller the GST/HST on a tour package that includes hotel accommodation and bus excursions in Scotland. The accommodation and excursions in Scotland are not subject to tax because they are supplied outside Canada.

Also, if airfare from Canada to Scotland is included with the accommodation and excursion in Scotland, the airfare is zero-rated and the tour operators do not charge tax.

Non-resident rebate for eligible tour packages

After March 22, 2017, a rebate is no longer available for the GST/HST paid in respect of the Canadian accommodation portion of eligible tour packages under the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP).

However, a rebate of the GST/HST may still be available to either:

• a non-resident tour operator that purchased and resold an eligible tour package or that purchased short-term and/or camping accommodation in Canada and resold it in an eligible tour package, and the tour package or accommodation was supplied to the tour operator on or before March 22, 2017
• a non-resident individual, organization, or business (other than tour operator), that purchased an eligible tour package if the short-term and/or camping accommodation in Canada included in the package was made available to a non-resident individual, and the tour package was supplied to the individual, organization or business on or before March 22, 2017

The rebate may also still be available in respect of a supply of an eligible tour package or accommodations made after
March 22, 2017, and before 2018 if the amount owing for the supply is paid in full before January 1, 2018.

What is an eligible tour package?

An eligible tour package must be sold for an all-inclusive price and must include the following elements:

• short-term and/or camping accommodation in Canada
• at least one service

What qualifies as short-term or camping accommodation?

For the FCTIP rebate of the Canadian accommodation portion of eligible tour packages, short-term accommodation means the rental of a residential unit or residential complex in Canada as a place of residence or lodging for an individual who will occupy it continuously for a period of less than one month and for which the GST/HST is payable. It includes any type of overnight shelter (except those noted below) supplied as part of a tour package that also includes food and the services of a guide.

For example, overnight or week-long accommodation in any of the following would usually be considered short-term accommodation:

• hotels and motels
• resorts and lodges
• bed-and-breakfast establishments

Short-term accommodation does not include any of the following:

• shelter on a train, trailer, boat, or other structure that is, or could be self-propelled (for example, cruise-ship cabins, train berths, houseboats, travel trailers, and all recreational vehicles)
• a residential unit supplied under a timeshare arrangement
• accommodation outside Canada
• accommodation that costs $20 or less each day

Camping accommodation means a campsite at a campground or recreational trailer park in Canada that is rented continuously as a place of lodging for periods of less than one month to the same individual. It includes water, electricity, and waste disposal services, if provided with the campsite and accessed by an outlet or hook-up at the campsite.

What qualifies as a service?

A service means anything other than property, money, and anything that is supplied to an employer by an employee in the course of employment. Some examples include:

• guide or interpreter services
• transportation services
• sightseeing excursions
• ski lessons

The following do not qualify as services because they are property:

• short-term accommodation
• meals
• a right to enter or attend an event, such as tickets to a show or a hockey game
• car rentals
• ski rentals
• ski lift tickets
• admission to a golf course
• a right to enter a park (park passes)

What is an all-inclusive price?

Generally, an all-inclusive price means a single price for all property and services sold together in a package. However,
in the tourism industry, sometimes prices for certain property or services included in a tour package are listed on an invoice for information purposes. The CRA accepts that such packages are sold for an all-inclusive price. For example, the price of accommodation included in a tour package may be listed separately on an invoice to inform the purchaser of the amount on which the applicable provincial sales tax is calculated. This package is considered to be sold for an all-inclusive price.

Examples of eligible tour packages

The following are examples of packages that meet the requirements for eligible tour packages. These packages may be eligible for the FCTIP rebate if they are supplied after March 22, 2017 and before 2018, if the amount owing for the supply is paid in full before January 1, 2018.

If eligible tour packages are supplied on or before March 22, 2017, they may be eligible for the FCTIP rebate regardless of when the consideration for the supply is paid or the tour takes place.

Examples of non-eligible tour packages

The following are examples of packages that are not eligible for the FCTIP rebate.

For more information, see GST/HST Info Sheet GI-044, Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program – Tour Packages: What Is an Eligible Tour Package?

Rebate for non-resident tour operators

Who is a tour operator?

Generally, a tour operator is a person who packages (in the ordinary course of business) tours that are ultimately sold to, or are for the use of, either a group of travellers or an individual traveller. An outfitter or an owner of a lodge, hotel, or motel may be a tour operator if the person packages tours for sale in the ordinary course of a business.

When is a rebate available to non-resident tour operators?

A non-resident tour operator that is not registered for the GST/HST may be eligible for a FCTIP rebate if it either:

• purchased an eligible tour package on or before March 22, 2017, and resold it
• purchased short-term and/or camping accommodation in Canada on or before March 22, 2017 and resold it in an eligible tour package

A non-resident tour operator that is not registered for the GST/HST may also be eligible for a FCTIP rebate if it purchased such a tour package or accommodation after March 22, 2017, and before 2018 if the amount owing for the supply is paid in full before January 1, 2018.

To qualify for the rebate, the tour operator must meet all of the following conditions:

• It made the purchase(s) in the ordinary course of its business of selling tour packages.
• It sold the eligible tour package(s) to another non-resident person(s).
• The accommodation included in the eligible tour package(s) was made available to a non-resident individual(s).
• It received payment for its resale of the eligible tour package(s) outside Canada at its place of business, or the place of business of its agent. To determine if this condition is met, we consider where the payment is processed and deposited.
• It is a non-resident of Canada at the time the rebate application is filed.
• The total of all taxable elements (other than zero-rated) included in the tour package is at least $200.
• If the tour operator claims the rebate amount by filing the rebate form, it meets both of the following conditions:
  • its application is filed within one year after the last day any tax to which the rebate relates became payable. Generally, the day the tax became payable is the day the tax was paid or the date of the invoice, whichever comes first
  • it provides the necessary documents to prove it is eligible for the rebate

Rebate for non-resident individuals, organizations, or businesses (other than tour operators)

When is a FCTIP rebate available?

If you are not a tour operator, a rebate for up to 50% of the GST/HST paid on the purchase of an eligible tour package may be available if you are either:

• a non-resident individual visiting Canada
• a non-resident organization or business (other than a tour operator) that is not registered for the GST/HST that purchased the eligible tour package and does not resell it as part of a business of selling tour packages. For example, this would include a business that purchased a tour package for use by an employee or a client

To qualify, the non-resident must meet all of the following conditions:

• It is not registered for the GST/HST.
• The accommodation included in the eligible tour package was made available to a non-resident individual.
• The supply of the tour package to the non-resident was made on or before March 22, 2017, or if the suppy was made to the non-resident after that date, it was made before 2018 and all of the consideration for the supply was paid before January 1, 2018.
• It did not purchase the eligible tour package to resell in the ordinary course of a business of selling tour packages.
• It is a non-resident of Canada at the time the rebate application is filed.
• The total of all taxable elements (other than zero-rated) included in the tour package is at least $200.
• If the non-resident claims the rebate amount by filing the rebate form, it meets both of the following conditions:
  • its application is filed within one year after the last day any tax to which the rebate relates became payable. Generally, the day the tax became payable is the day the tax was paid or the date of the invoice, whichever comes first
  • it provides the necessary documents to prove it is eligible for the rebate

How to claim a rebate for an eligible tour package

Non-residents can use Form GST115, GST/HST Rebate Application for Tour Packages to claim the rebate or you, as the supplier, may be able to pay or credit them with the rebate amount. For more information, see Paying or crediting the rebate amount or GST/HST Info Sheet GI-031, Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program – Registrant Organizers and Convention Facility Operators: Paying and Crediting the Rebate Amount for Foreign Conventions.

Paying or crediting the rebate amount

Non-resident tour operators

A non-resident tour operator that is not registered for the GST/HST can file Form GST115 or you, as the supplier, can choose to pay or credit the tour operator with a rebate amount.

If you decide to pay or credit a rebate amount to the tour operator, make sure that the tour operator meets all of the eligibility conditions listed in When is a rebate available to non-resident tour operators? and the transitional rules regarding the repeal of the FCTIP rebate for tour-related accommodation.

Supporting documentation

You should get all the following information to confirm that you can pay or credit a rebate amount to a tour operator:

• the name of the tour operator
• confirmation that the tour operator is a non-resident and is not registered for the GST/HST
• confirmation that the tour operator supplies the eligible tour package in the ordinary course of its business to another non-resident(s)
• confirmation that the tour operator received payment for its supply of the tour package at its business address, or its agent's address, outside of Canada
• confirmation that the accommodation included in the tour package was made available to a non-resident individual(s)

You do not have to forward this information to the CRA. However, you should keep it in case the CRA asks to see it.

Your invoices have to show that you charged the tax and paid or credited a rebate amount to the non-resident.

Non-resident individuals, organizations, or businesses (other than tour operators)

You can choose to pay or credit the non-resident individual, organization, or business (other than a tour operator) with the rebate amount if they meet all of the eligibility conditions (listed in the previous section) for claiming a rebate, and one of the following applies:

• the non-resident pays for the eligible tour package at a place outside Canada where you or your agent normally conduct business
• the non-resident pays a deposit of at least 20% of the total price of the tour package at least 14 days before the first day any accommodation included in the eligible tour package is made available to the non-resident.

If you pay or credit the rebate amount, the non-resident cannot apply to the CRA for a rebate of that amount.

Your invoices have to show that you charged the tax and paid or credited the rebate amount to the non-resident.

How do I pay or credit a rebate amount for an eligible tour package?

The FCTIP rebate amount you can pay or credit for an eligible tour package is generally equal to 50% of the GST/HST paid on the package. However, the rebate amount is reduced if any of the nights of accommodation provided in Canada as part of the tour package are ineligible accommodation, such as overnight shelter on a train or a boat. The reduced rebate amount is calculated as follows:

Step 1

A ÷ B

where:

A is the number of nights of short-term or camping accommodation in Canada included in the tour package

B is the total number of nights in Canada included in the tour package, including ineligible accommodation

Step 2

Your result from Step 1 x 50% x GST/HST paid.

Reporting requirements

If you are a supplier who paid or credited the FCTIP rebate amount to a non-resident, you can claim a deduction equal to the rebate amount you paid or credited in the line 108 calculation of your GST/HST return when you file electronically. If you file a paper return, include the amount on line 107. You can claim the deduction in the GST/HST return for either:

• the reporting period that includes the later of the last day the tax became payable and the day the rebate amount was paid or credited
• any subsequent reporting period for which the GST/HST return is filed within one year of that later day

In addition, you have to file Form GST106, Information on Claims Paid or Credited for Foreign Conventions and Tour Packages, for each reporting period in which you paid or credited the rebate amount and claimed a deduction. The due date of Form GST106 is the same as the due date of your GST/HST return.

Examples where a supplier pays or credits the rebate amount

The following is an example where a FCTIP rebate amount is prorated.

The following example shows how you credit a FCTIP rebate amount to a non-resident consumer.

Joint liability

If we determine that the non-resident was not entitled to a FCTIP rebate, or that the amount paid or credited was more than the amount of the rebate amount the non-resident was entitled to, and you knew or ought to have known this, you and the non-resident are jointly liable to pay us any amount owing. Otherwise, only the non-resident is liable to pay us any amount owing.

Are you filling out and filing a rebate application for a non-resident?

If you enter into an agreement with a non-resident to complete and file the rebate application on the non-resident’s behalf, this is a separate, private arrangement between you and the non-resident.

Such an arrangement does not change the information that has to be provided to the CRA to support the application. In addition, a power of attorney must be attached to the rebate claim. When a non-resident authorizes you to act as its attorney, you and the non-resident must decide how the rebate amount will be paid to the non-resident.

This arrangement is not the same as paying or crediting the non-resident with the rebate amount.

Supporting documentation

If you enter into such an agreement, the non-resident has to do both of the following:

• provide you with all of the documents required to validate the rebate claim. You must send these documents to the CRA with the rebate application (for the documents that are required, see Form GST115)
• authorize you to file the rebate application for the non-resident by giving you power of attorney

We cannot accept and act on a power of attorney unless it contains all of the following:

• a statement that you, the authorized person, are not affiliated with the Government of Canada or the CRA
• complete and upfront disclosure of any fees you charge the non-resident to act on the non-resident's behalf
• a statement that the non-resident authorizes you to act on the non-resident's behalf
• a statement that the power of attorney is for a rebate of the GST/HST under the FCTIP
• the non-resident's name, address, telephone number, email address (if there is one), and the non-resident's signature
• your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address, if there is one

Regardless of how the non-resident structures its business arrangement with you, the CRA will make the cheque payable to the non-resident and will mail it to the address on Form GST115. The address on Form GST115 can be the non-resident's address outside Canada or your address in Canada.

Conventions

A convention is a formal meeting or assembly that is not open to the general public.

A convention does not include a meeting or assembly if the main purpose of which is any of the following:

• to provide any type of amusement, entertainment, or recreation
• to conduct contests or games of chance
• to conduct the business of the convenor or attendees either in the course of a trade show that is open to the general public or other than in the course of a trade show

The following are definitions of terms we use for conventions:

Convention facility is any real property that is rented by the sponsor or organizer of a convention for use exclusively as the site for the convention.

Exclusively, for the purposes of related convention supplies, means property or services used all or substantially all (90% or more) in connection with a convention.

Exhibitor, means a person who rents exhibition space exclusively for use as a site for the promotion at a convention of the property or services provided by the exhibitor or its business.

Organizer of a convention means a person who acquires the convention facility or related convention supplies and organizes the convention for the sponsor.

Sponsor of a convention means the person who convenes the convention and supplies admissions to it. This is sometimes referred to as the host of the convention. A person that supports a convention through financial or other sponsorship of the event is not a sponsor of a convention for GST/HST purposes.

What is a related convention supply?

Related convention supplies are property or services bought exclusively for consumption, use, or supply in connection with a convention. They do not include any property or services that are provided for a separate charge, except if they are acquired exclusively to be consumed or used by an exhibitor in promoting its business, services, or property at the convention.

The following property and services are examples of possible related convention supplies.

Accommodation

• hotel accommodation for use by the convention sponsor, organizer, or exhibitor, or supplied to attendees as part of the admission

Audio-visual

• audio, audio-visual, and video services, including equipment and labour associated with the technical services

Business equipment

• computers, photocopiers, desks, and chairs

Convention materials

• banners, flags, signs, papers, shields, floral arrangements, decorations, backdrops, and office supplies

Convention show services

• equipment, furnishings, and labour to install such items as carpeting, tables, chairs, exhibit booths, decorative plants, draping, banners, displays, and signs

Destination management services

• local planning, management, and co-ordination services in organizing elements of the convention for the incoming organization

Food, beverages, and catering services (limited to 50% of the GST/HST paid)

• food, beverages, and catering services related to the convention, including any gratuities charged

Memorabilia

• lapel buttons, billfolds, key chains, pens, pencils, corsages, T-shirts, scarves, mugs, jewellery, badges, and similar promotional items

Moving and storage services

• labour and equipment to deliver exhibit materials to the assigned space, including the storage of crates during the convention

On-site services

• personnel for on-site work such as the staffing of the registration desk, photographic services, and security services

Printed matter

• identification badges
• information bulletins, on-site newsletters, booklets, programs, and memoranda relating to a convention or to products displayed at a convention

Professional services

• customs brokerage, legal, accounting, and freight forwarders' services

Simultaneous interpretation equipment

• simultaneous interpretation and audio-related equipment and labour

Speakers and educational seminars

• facilitators and course materials

Telecommunications

• telephone, fax, video, audio, or computer link-ups

Translators and interpreters

• individuals who translate and interpret the languages being used

Transportation services

• chartered group transportation services used solely to transport attendees of the convention between any of the convention facilities, places of lodging for the attendees, or the transportation terminals (for example, airport shuttle services)

The following property and services are not related convention supplies:

• transportation services (other than the chartered transportation services described above)
• entertainment such as city tours
• goods, intangible personal property, or services provided to the attendees of the convention for a separate charge from the admission fee, such as souvenirs, books, and videos sold during the convention

Domestic conventions

A domestic convention is a convention held in Canada that is not a foreign convention.

Is GST/HST registration required?

Sponsors

If you are a resident sponsor of a domestic convention, you may be able to, or you may have to, register for the GST/HST.

If you are a non-resident sponsor of a domestic convention and are not already registered for the GST/HST, you have to register for the GST/HST before you make supplies of admissions to the convention.

For more information, see Should you register?

Organizers

If you are a resident or non-resident organizer of a domestic convention, you may be able to, or you may have to register for the GST/HST. For more information, see Should you register?

Exhibitors

If you are an exhibitor at a domestic convention and you are resident in Canada, you may be able to, or you may have to, register for the GST/HST. For more information, see Should you register?

If you are a non-registered, non-resident exhibitor who is in Canada only to promote your products or services at a convention, you do not have to register for and charge the GST/HST on any orders taken from attendees during the convention. However, if you bring products to the convention to sell to attendees, you may be considered to be carrying on business in Canada and may have to register. For more information, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.

Charging tax for domestic conventions

This section gives information on how the GST/HST applies to the following supplies for domestic conventions:

• convention facilities
• admissions
• related convention supplies
• exhibition space

Convention facilities

If you are the operator of a convention facility in Canada and a GST/HST registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST when you lease out space. This applies whether you are leasing to a resident or a non-resident of Canada.

Admissions

If you are a registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST on the admissions you sell to the attendees of a domestic convention.

Related convention supplies

If you are a registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST on related convention supplies.

For more information, see What is a related convention supply?

Exhibition space

If you are a registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST when you lease exhibition space to exhibitors at the convention.

Foreign conventions

A foreign convention is a convention held in Canada where both of the following applies:

• at the time the sponsor of the convention determines the amount to be charged for the admissions, it is reasonably expected that at least 75% of the admissions will be provided to non-residents of Canada (to determine the percentage of non-resident attendees, see below)
• the sponsor of the convention is an organization whose head office is situated outside Canada or, if the organization has no head office, the member or the majority of members having management and control of the organization are non-residents

To determine the percentage of admissions reasonably expected to be provided to non-resident attendees, you could use the percentage of non-resident attendees under any of the following methods:

• who attended previous conventions
• who are usually invited to attend the convention
• who are listed as members of the organization

You can also use any other reasonable method.

If a convention is a foreign convention because it is reasonably expected that at least 75% of the total of the admissions will be supplied to non-residents, and it is later discovered that less than 75% of the admissions were supplied to non-residents, the convention would still be considered a foreign convention.

Is GST/HST registration required?

Sponsors

If you are a sponsor of a foreign convention, you cannot register for the GST/HST if your only commercial activity in Canada is making sales of admissions or related convention supplies or leasing exhibition space at a foreign convention.

However, if you sell books, posters, education material, or other items at the foreign convention, you may be able to, or you may have to register for the GST/HST. For more information, see Should you register? For information on carrying on business in Canada and GST/HST registration for non-residents, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.

Are you already registered for the GST/HST?

If you are the sponsor of a foreign convention and you are already registered for the GST/HST, your activities related to the foreign convention are not part of your commercial activities.

This means that you do not charge the GST/HST on supplies related to the foreign convention (such as supplies of admissions, related convention supplies, and exhibition space). You also cannot claim ITCs for the GST/HST you pay on purchases related to the foreign convention. However, you may be able to apply for a rebate. For more information, see Rebate for foreign conventions.

Organizers

If you are an organizer of a foreign convention, you may be able to, or you may have to register for the GST/HST. For more information, see Should you register?

Exhibitors

If you are an exhibitor at a foreign convention and you are resident in Canada, you may be able to, or you may have to register for the GST/HST. For more information, see Should you register?

If you are a non-registered, non-resident exhibitor who is in Canada only to promote your products or services at a foreign convention, you do not have to register for and charge the GST/HST on any orders taken from attendees during the convention. However, if you bring products to the convention to sell to attendees, you may be considered to be carrying on business in Canada and you may have to register. For more information, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non‑Residents.

Charging tax for foreign conventions

This section provides information on how the GST/HST applies to the following supplies for foreign conventions:

• convention facilities
• admissions
• related convention supplies
• exhibition space

Convention facilities

If you are a GST/HST registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST when you lease out space in Canada. This applies whether you are leasing to a resident or a non-resident of Canada.

Admissions

If you are a sponsor of a foreign convention, do not charge the GST/HST on admissions you sell to the attendees of a foreign convention, even if you are registered for the GST/HST.

Related convention supplies

If you are a registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST on related convention supplies.

For more information, see What is a related convention supply?

Exhibition space

If you are a registrant, you have to charge the GST/HST when you lease exhibition space to exhibitors at the convention.

Rebate for foreign conventions

Who can claim a rebate?

Under the FCTIP, a rebate may be available for either:

• sponsors of foreign conventions
• organizers of foreign conventions who are not registered for the GST/HST

What expenses are eligible for the rebate?

A sponsor and a non-registered organizer of a foreign convention can claim a rebate for each of the following:

• the tax paid for the convention facilities and related convention supplies that are not food, beverages, or items purchased under a contract for catering
• 50% of the tax paid for food, beverages, or items purchased under a contract for catering

For more information, see What is a related convention supply?

Can I pay or credit a rebate amount?

A sponsor or non-registered organizer of a foreign convention can apply for the rebate by sending the CRA a filled out Form GST386, Rebate Application for Conventions, or, if you are the supplier of the convention facility or related convention supplies, you may be able to pay or credit a rebate amount to the sponsor or organizer.

Only the following suppliers can pay or credit a rebate amount:

• a registrant organizer can pay or credit a rebate amount to a sponsor
• a registrant operator of convention facilities that is not the organizer of the convention can pay or credit a rebate amount to a sponsor or non-registered organizer
• a registrant supplier of accommodation (for example, a hotel) that is not the organizer of the convention can pay or credit a rebate amount to a sponsor or non-registered organizer if the accommodation is acquired exclusively for supply in connection with a foreign convention

In any other case, the sponsor or organizer of the convention has to fill out Form GST386 and send it to the CRA to apply for its rebate.

Documentary evidence

When you pay or credit a rebate amount, the sponsor or non-registered organizer must provide you with documentation showing it is entitled to the rebate. This could include a convention agenda, itinerary or event program, complete hotel folios, copies of invoices, and receipts or other documents that confirm that the event was a foreign convention.

Joint liability

If we determine that the sponsor or non-registered organizer was not entitled to a rebate, or that the amount paid or credited was more than the amount of the rebate the non-resident was entitled to, and you knew or ought to have known this, you and the non-resident are jointly liable to pay us any amount owing. Otherwise, only the non-resident is liable to pay us any amount owing.

How to pay or credit a rebate amount

If you choose to pay or credit a rebate amount, you still have to charge the full amount of the tax due on the convention facility or related convention supplies. You have to show the full amount of the tax payable by the sponsor or non-registered organizer on the invoice and also show the rebate amount you paid or credited.

Include the full amount of the GST/HST collected or collectible from the sponsor or organizer in the line 105 calculation of your electronically filed GST/HST return (or on line 103 if you file a paper return). Then include the amount that you paid or credited in your line 108 calculation (or on line 107 if you file a paper return).

You can include the amount on any GST/HST return that is filed within one year of whichever of the following dates is later:

• the last day the tax became payable
• the day the rebate was paid or credited

You also have to file Form GST106, Information on Claims Paid or Credited for Foreign Conventions and Tour Packages, by the due date of the electronically filed GST/HST return for the period in which you claim the deduction in your line 108 calculation (or on line 107 if you file a paper return). For more information, see Form GST106.

For more information, see GST/HST Info Sheet GI-031, Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program – Registrant Organizers and Convention Facility Operators: Paying and Crediting the Rebate Amount for Foreign Conventions.

Rebate for non-resident exhibitors

Non-registered, non-resident exhibitors who rented or leased exhibition space exclusively to promote their business or products can claim a rebate for the GST/HST paid on the following supplies, if rented or purchased from a GST/HST registrant that is not the sponsor:

• related convention supplies, except for food, beverages, or items purchased under a contract for catering (see What is a related convention supply?)
• exhibition space

Suppliers cannot pay or credit the rebate amount to non-resident exhibitors. Non-resident exhibitors have to send the CRA a filled out Form GST386, Rebate Application for Conventions, within one year after the last day of the convention to claim their rebate.

Non-resident exhibitors do not pay the GST/HST on exhibition space or related convention supplies rented or purchased from the sponsor of the convention (whether foreign or domestic). A non-resident exhibitor that has paid tax in error on these items can ask a sponsor for a refund or credit of the amount. If the sponsor does not provide a refund or credit, the exhibitor can claim a rebate for tax paid in error. For more information, see Guide RC4033, General Application for GST/HST Rebates.

Digital services

GST/HST electronic filing and remitting

You have several options for filing your GST/HST return or remitting an amount owing electronically. For more information, go to Complete and file a return – File the return.

Handling business taxes online

Use the CRA's digital services for businesses throughout the year to:

• make payments to the CRA online with My Payment or a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreements, or create a QR code to pay in person at Canada Post
• file a return, view the status of filed returns, and adjust returns online
• submit documents to the CRA
• authorize a representative for online access to your business accounts
• register to receive email notifications and to view mail from the CRA in My Business Account
• manage addresses
• manage direct deposit information
• file an election linked to GST/HST
• view and pay account balance
• calculate instalment payments
• calculate a future balance
• transfer payments and immediately view updated balances
• make an online request regarding your account and view answers to common enquiries
• submit an audit enquiry

To log in to or register for the CRA’s digital services, go to:

• My Business Account, if you are a business owner
• Represent a Client, if you are an authorized representative or employee

For more information, go to E-services for Businesses.

CRA BizApp

CRA BizApp is a mobile web app that offers secure access for small business owners and sole proprietors to view accounting transactions, pay outstanding balances, make interim payments, and more.

You can access CRA BizApp on any mobile device with an Internet browser – no app stores needed! To access the app,
go to Mobile apps – Canada Revenue Agency.

Receiving your CRA mail online

Sign up for email notifications to find out when your CRA mail, like your notice of assessment, is available in My Business Account.

For more information, Email notifications from the CRA – Businesses.

Authorizing the withdrawal of a pre-determined amount from your Canadian chequing account

PAD is a secure, online self-service payment option for individuals and businesses to pay their taxes. A PAD lets you authorize withdrawals from your Canadian chequing account to pay the CRA. You can set the payment dates and amounts of your PAD agreement using the CRA’s secure My Business Account service, or the CRA BizApp at Mobile apps – Canada Revenue Agency. PADs are flexible and managed by you. You can use My Business Account to view historical records and modify, cancel, or skip a payment. For more information, go to Pay by pre-authorized debit.

Electronic payments

Make your payment using:

• your Canadian financial institution’s online or telephone banking services
• the CRA’s My Payment service at Pay nom with My Payment
• your credit card, Interac e-transfer, or PayPal through one of the CRA’s third-party service providers
• pre-authorized debit at My Business Account

For more information, go to Payments to the CRA.

For more information

What if you need help?

If you need more information after reading this guide, go to Taxes or call 1-800-959-5525.

Direct deposit

Direct deposit is a fast, convenient, reliable, and secure way to get your CRA payments directly into your account at a financial institution in Canada. For more information and ways to enrol, go to Direct deposit – Canada Revenue Agency.

Forms and publications

The CRA encourages electronic filing of your return. If you require a paper version of the CRA’s forms and publications, go to Forms and publications or call one of the following numbers:

• 1-800-959-5525, from Canada and the United States
• 613-940-8497, from outside Canada and the United States. The CRA only accepts collect calls made through telephone operators. After your call is accepted by an automated response, you may hear a beep and experience a normal connection delay

Excise and GST/HST News

As a GST/HST registrant, you may want to review the quarterly issues of the Excise and GST/HST News, which discuss different issues that concern GST/HST registrants, including new online services. We can notify you by email when new information on a subject of interest to you is available on our website. To subscribe to our electronic mailing lists, go to Canada Revenue Agency electronic mailing lists. You can also go to GST/HST technical information to read the latest edition of Excise and GST/HST News online.

Electronic mailing lists

The CRA can notify you by email when new information on a subject of interest to you is available on the website. To subscribe to the electronic mailing lists, go to Canada Revenue Agency electronic mailing lists.

Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS)

For tax information by telephone, use our automated service, TIPS, by calling 1-800-267-6999.

Teletypewriter (TTY) users

If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a TTY, call 1-800-665-0354.

If you use an operator-assisted relay service, call our regular telephone numbers instead of the TTY number.

GST/HST rulings and interpretations

You can request a ruling or interpretation on how the GST/HST applies to a specific transaction for your operations. This service is provided free of charge. For the mailing address or fax number of the closest GST/HST Rulings centre, see GST/HST Memorandum 1-4, Excise and GST/HST Rulings and Interpretations Service or call 1-800-959-8287.

Service complaints

You can expect to be treated fairly under clear and established rules, and get a high level of service each time you deal with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). For more information about the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go to Taxpayer Bill of Rights. If you are not satisfied with the service you received:

1. Try to resolve the matter with the CRA employee you have been dealing with or call the telephone number provided in the CRA’s correspondence. If you do not have contact information, go to Contact the Canada Revenue Agency.
2. If you have not been able to resolve your service-related issue, you can ask to discuss the matter with
   the employee’s supervisor.
3. File a service complaint by filling out Form RC193, Service Feedback. For more information and to learn how to file a complaint, go to Submit service feedback.

If you are not satisfied with how the CRA has handled your service-related complaint, you can submit a complaint to the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson.

Formal disputes (objections and appeals)

If you disagree with an assessment, a determination, or decision, you have the right to file a formal dispute.

For more information about objections and formal disputes, and related deadlines, go to Service feedback, objections, appeals, disputes, and relief measures.

Reprisal complaints

If you have previously submitted a service-related complaint or requested a formal review of a CRA decision and feel you were not treated impartially by a CRA employee, you can submit a reprisal complaint by filling out Form RC459, Reprisal Complaint.

For more information about complaints and disputes, go to Reprisal Complaints.