Miata Mailing List: July 1996, Message #72
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   From: Arch Glasgow 
Subject: Re: G.S.T. at Miata '96
   Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 19:39:42 -0400

On Mon, 1 Jul 1996, Mike wrote:

> -=Volker=- http://together.net/~volker/mike.htm
> 
> To all the U.S. folks attending Miata '96:
> 
> Save those receipts that include GST (10% tax) on all of your purchases. 
> You can get a refund of these taxes paid at the border when you return to 
> the States, or fill out a form and send it in for a refund later.  
> Especially good on big ticket purchases (like your hotel tab), except 
> food and drink (burp...) consumed in Canada. No sense leaving $$ behind, 
> when it could pay for that tank of gas to get you home again!
> 
> See you in Toronto !!!!


Arghhhhhh!! No please it's bad enough at 7% don't give our politicians 
any ideas.

Kidding aside what Mike said is true except the GST is 7 not 10%. Hotel 
fees however come in at I believe 12% but that is probably a combined 
Provincial Tax (I believe non refundable) and GST that is refundable. I 
don't know what the rate would be but the feds (GST) usually want 7% for 
everything.

While we are at it let me give a crash course on taxes in our beautiful 
taxed to death province of Ontario:

The feds want 7% for everything but raw food. Gasoline has all taxes 
included in the pump price so what is advertised at the road or on the 
pump is all you have to pay. Candy, Coffee, Clothes, Shoes, restaurant 
food is all plus 7% unless otherwise shown.

The province wants a chunk as well so you have to ante up 8% for them. 
Yes you read that right 8% over and above the 7 you just paid the feds. 
It is on the price of the goods though before taxes. Make it easy on 
yourself. You pay whatever is on the price tag plus 15% for all goods 
and services with darn few exceptions. Restaurant food is 15% if your 
bill exceeds $3.00 The province will forgive you if you can eat for < 
$3.00 but the federal gov says cook it yourself or pay us 7%. Go to 
a department store though and be ready to ante up 15% on purchases.

As Mike said though as Americans you can get a 7% GST rebait for goods "not 
consumed" in Canada on the Canadian side of major border crossings 
usually in the duty free shops. Your mileage may vary depending etc.
   

Don't forget the value of the US dollar in Canada will more than make up 
for the taxes and that should make you feel better. As a rule food at 
$5.00 US in the US will cost $5.00 CAN in Canada give or take a bit so 
the US dollar advantage is real enough.

To avoid unpleasant situations you should exchange your money at major 
financial institutions or use your credit card. Visa, Mastercard etc. are 
widely accepted.

One other thing....Booze is the FAVORITE tax target. Our wonderful beer 
goes for $27.00 a case last time I bought any and that's probably gone up 
since. A quart of hard stuff will blow a 20 away with ease.....I gave it 
up. 
 

Archie Glasgow Elect. Eng. Techn.
University of Windsor Bio. Sci.
CANADA
arch@server.uwindsor.ca