GST Goods and Services Tax Refunds for Visitors

Special Notice: On September 25, 2006, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of the GST Visitors’ Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007 as part of a package of spending restraint measures.

What is GST ...
Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an additional tax applicable to most goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of or visitor to Canada.

Tour packages and short-term accommodation
The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP) provides for a tax rebate for non-residents purchasing tour packages that include eligible short-term accommodation in Canada, or for non-registered non-resident tour operators purchasing accommodation resold in a tour package.

The new rebate applies only to purchases of tour packages that include eligible short-term accommodation and a service in Canada where the first night of accommodation in Canada is after March 2007; and eligible accommodation in Canada resold as part of a tour package and that is purchased after March 2007.

Businesses that are tour operators may also claim a rebate of the GST/HST they paid on short-term accommodation and/or camping accommodation they purchased and resold as part of an eligible tour package.

For more information and how to apply .. Tour packages and short-term accommodation