Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program - Non-Resident Exhibitors: Application of GST/HST to Purchases and Rebate for Purchases

GST/HST Info Sheet GI-028
February 2008

Note: This info sheet supersedes GST/HST Info Sheet GI-028, Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program – Rebate for Non-Resident Non-Registered Exhibitors, dated April 2007.

This info sheet explains how the GST/HST applies to items provided to non-resident exhibitors at conventions. It also explains how non-resident non-registered exhibitors attending domestic or foreign conventions can claim a rebate of the GST/HST paid for exhibition space and related convention supplies.

In this publication, the "GST" means the 5% goods and services tax and the "HST" means the 13% harmonized sales tax.

"Convention" means a formal meeting or assembly that is not open to the general public. It excludes a meeting or assembly the principal purpose of which is

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

"Domestic convention" means a convention that is not a foreign convention.

"Foreign convention" means a convention where

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

"Exclusively" generally means 90% or more for persons that are not financial institutions.

"Exhibitor" means a person that 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.

"Non-resident" means a person not resident in Canada and could be an individual, a business or an organization.

 "Registrant" means a person who is registered, or is required to be registered, for GST/HST purposes.

"Related convention supplies" when provided to exhibitors means most property or services acquired, imported or brought into a participating province by the exhibitor exclusively to be consumed or used in connection with a convention. It could include, for example, displays, balloons and banners; audio-visual services; equipment rental; and short-term accommodation.

The following property and services are not related convention supplies:

• entertainment,
• transportation, other than chartered group transportation services used solely to transport convention attendees between any of the convention facilities, places of lodging or transportation terminals, and
• food, beverages and items provided under a contract for catering, including any gratuities charged.

For more information on what qualifies as related convention supplies, go to GST/HST Information for the Travel and Convention Industry.

"Sponsor" means the person who convenes and sells admissions to the convention. A sponsor might sometimes be referred to as the host of the convention.

Persons that support an event through sponsorship opportunities are not sponsors for GST/HST purposes. These persons may be exhibitors if they rent exhibition space at a convention exclusively for use as a site for the promotion of their properties or services, or their business.

Background

Effective April 1, 2007, the Visitor Rebate Program was cancelled and the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program was introduced. This change did not affect how the GST/HST applies to items provided to exhibitors or how non-resident non-registered exhibitors of foreign and domestic conventions can claim a rebate of the tax paid for exhibition space and related convention supplies. Consequently, the following rules apply to purchases made and rebates claimed before and after April 1, 2007.

How the GST/HST applies to items provided to non-resident exhibitors

Sponsors of domestic and foreign conventions that provide exhibition space to non-resident exhibitors do not charge the GST/HST on the exhibition space and related convention supplies to be consumed or used by the exhibitor. This is the case even if the sponsor and/or the non-resident exhibitor are registrants.

Non-resident exhibitors have to pay the GST/HST on exhibition space and related convention supplies rented or purchased from a registrant that is not a sponsor.

Rebate available to non-resident non-registered exhibitors

Non-resident non-registered exhibitors can claim a rebate of the GST/HST paid on exhibition space rented from a registrant that is not the sponsor of the convention. Exhibitors can also claim a rebate of the GST/HST paid on related convention supplies rented or purchased from a registrant that is not the sponsor of the convention.

Applying for a rebate

Non-resident non-registered exhibitors can apply for a rebate of the GST/HST paid on exhibition space and related convention supplies by filing a rebate claim with the CRA, using form GST386, Rebate Application for Foreign Conventions, within one year after the day the convention ends. An exhibitor can make only one rebate claim per convention.

Proof

Exhibitors must provide the following documents to support their claim for a rebate:

• the convention agenda, itinerary or event program;
• copies of invoices or receipts showing the GST/HST paid;
• a document showing that the exhibition space was rented, even if there was no GST/HST payable; and
• if a rebate is available for short-term accommodation, complete hotel folios.

If the exhibitor does not provide the required supporting documents with its claim, the rebate will be denied.

Additional information

For more information on how the GST/HST applies to the convention industry, go to GST/HST Information for the Travel and Convention Industry.