Excise and GST/HST News - No. 88 (Spring 2013)

Federal Budget 2013

The Budget 2013, tabled by the Minister of Finance on March 21, 2013, includes several proposed measures relating to the GST/HST and excise duty. Legislation to implement certain of these measures, Bill C-60, the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No 1, received Second Reading in the House of Commons on May 7, 2013. This proposed legislation also confirms the Government's intention to proceed with previously announced tax measures including proposed changes to certain GST/HST rules relating to financial institutions. The following are highlights of these measures for GST/HST and excise duty purposes.

GST/HST

Health care services

Supplies of basic health care services and certain health-related assistive services are generally exempt from the GST/HST. Budget 2013 proposes amendments to expand the exemption for homemaker services to reflect current provincial and territorial practices for health-related assistive services delivered to persons in their homes.

Home care services

Currently, publicly subsidized or funded homemaker services, such as cleaning, laundering, meal preparation and child care rendered to an individual who, due to age, infirmity or disability, requires assistance in his or her home, are exempt from the GST/HST. This exemption does not cover personal care services such as bathing, feeding, and assistance with activities of daily living.

Effective for supplies made after March 21, 2013, the budget proposes to expand the exemption for homemaker services to include publicly subsidized or funded personal care services, rendered to an individual who, due to age, infirmity or disability requires such assistance at home. Accordingly, it is proposed that the definition of “homemaker service” be repealed and the new definition of “home care service” be added. The new definition will include personal care services such as bathing, feeding and assistance with dressing and taking medication as well as household services, such as cleaning, laundering, meal preparation and child care.

Where a service provider charges GST/HST on an exempt supply of a home care service made after March 21, 2013, the supplier may refund or credit the GST/HST to the purchaser. Alternatively, purchasers who have paid an amount as GST/HST on exempt supplies may claim a rebate of tax paid in error using Form GST189, General Application for Rebate of GST/HST . The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will not pay rebates in respect of claims for GST/HST paid on supplies of exempt home care services made after March 21, 2013 until after the proposed amendments receive Royal Assent.

Reports and services for non-health care purposes

Supplies of basic health care services are generally exempt from the GST/HST. Services that are provided solely for non-health care purposes are not intended to be exempted as health care services, even if rendered by health care professionals.

Effective for supplies made after March 21, 2013, the budget proposes to clarify that the GST/HST applies to health care reports, examinations and other services that are not performed for the purpose of the protection, maintenance or restoration of the health of an individual or for palliative care. Such taxable supplies would include reports, examinations and other services performed solely for the purpose of determining liability in a court proceeding or under an insurance policy. Supplies of property and services in respect of a taxable supply of a report, examination or other service, such as charges for an x-ray or lab test in relation to a taxable examination, would also be taxable. Reports, examinations and other services paid for by a provincial or territorial health insurance plan will continue to be exempt.

It should be noted that Policy statement P-248, The Application of the GST/HST to the Supply of an Independent Medical Examination (IME) and to Other Independent Assessments, would be obsolete in respect of supplies made after March 21, 2013.

The Governor General and the GST/HST

Currently, a supply of a property or a service that is for the use of the Governor General is zero-rated.

The budget proposes that, effective July 1, 2013, such supplies will no longer be zero-rated. As a result, the Governor General and his office will pay the GST/HST on taxable purchases made on or after July 1, 2013, and will be able to recover the GST/HST paid on purchases for official use in the same manner as other federal government departments.

Business identification information

Currently, basic business identification information is required to be provided at the time of GST/HST registration. This includes the legal and operating name of the business, type of ownership, ownership details, business activity and contact information.

Effective on the date of Royal Assent, the budget proposes that the Minister of National Revenue be given the discretionary authority to withhold the payment of GST/HST refunds to a person until all of the person's prescribed business identification information has been provided and is accurate. The refund hold will be applied in a fair and judicious manner.

Pension plan rules

Currently, an employer that participates in a registered pension plan (a participating employer) is deemed to have made a taxable supply to the pension entity of the pension plan when it acquires, consumes or uses inputs in activities relating to the pension plan. These “deemed taxable supply rules” require the participating employer to account for deemed tax on inputs:

In the first two circumstances, the employer also has to account for tax on actual supplies to the pension entity of those same resources. When this happens, the employer is allowed to make an adjustment to their net tax to ensure tax is remitted only once.

Election to not account for GST/HST on actual taxable supplies

Effective for supplies made after March 21, 2013, the budget proposes to allow a participating employer of a pension plan and a pension entity of the pension plan to make a joint election to treat an actual taxable supply of property or a service by the employer to the pension entity as being made for no consideration where the employer accounts for and remits tax on the deemed supply of the property or service or on the consumption or use of inputs for the purpose of making the actual supply. This would eliminate the need for a tax adjustment. The election should be filed with the Minister of National Revenue on or before the first day of the employer's fiscal year for which the election is to have effect or any later day that the Minister may allow. A determination of whether an election will be accepted late would be made on a case-by-case basis. To allow an employer to take immediate advantage of the new provision, an election that is filed after the first day of the employer's fiscal year that includes March 21, 2013 would generally be accepted provided that (i) the employer was a participating employer on the first day of that fiscal year; (ii) the election is filed by the end of the 2013 calendar year; and (iii) the employer and pension entity acted after March 21, 2013 as if the election had been in place. The election would apply only to actual supplies made after March 21, 2013. 

If the employer fails to remit tax on the deemed supplies for a particular fiscal year, the CRA would be able to:

Relief from accounting for tax on deemed taxable supplies

Effective for fiscal years of an employer beginning after March 21, 2013, the budget also proposes that:

These proposed amendments are included in Bill C-60, the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1.

Excise duty

Manufactured tobacco

The federal budget 2013 proposes amendments to the Excise Act, 2001 to increase the rates of excise duty and special duty on manufactured tobacco other than cigarettes and tobacco sticks. Certain fines and a penalty have also been changed to reflect the new rates. These rates took effect midnight March 21, 2013.

More detailed information and the proposed new rates are published in Excise Duty Notice EDN33, Changes to Excise Duty Rates on Manufactured Tobacco.

Regulations Amending Various GST/HST Regulations, No. 4

The Regulations Amending Various GST/HST Regulations, No. 4 were adopted on April 18, 2013 and were published in the Canada Gazette on May 8, 2013. These regulations include amendments to the Selected Listed Financial Institutions Attribution Method (GST/HST) Regulations and to other regulations relating to financial institutions, to implement the new rules for financial institutions outstanding from the introduction of the HST in Ontario and British Columbia. These regulations also implement rules for financial institutions related to the winding down of the HST in British Columbia.

Reminder – changes to harmonized sales tax in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia

Effective April 1, 2013, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) has an HST. The HST rate in P.E.I. is 14% of which 5% represents the federal part and 9% the provincial part.

Effective April 1, 2013, the 12% HST, consisting of a 5% federal part and a 7% provincial part, no longer applies in British Columbia (B.C.). Instead, the GST at 5% and a provincial sales tax apply.

Music programs

A supply of a service of tutoring or instructing an individual in music lessons is exempt from the GST/HST. The CRA views a lesson as an activity designed to result in a progression or development of skills toward a pre-set lesson goal or objective. Music lessons involve formal instruction that develops skills in musical performance involving the use of the human voice or musical instruments, conducting an orchestra or musical composition.

Music lessons would not include instruction devoted to music-recording skills, music history or the teaching of techniques of music education. The fact that an activity involves music does not mean it is a supply of instruction in music or a music lesson. Activities involving music entertainment or appreciation and recreational courses that include an element of music (e.g. ballroom dancing, aerobics) would not be considered music lessons.

Whether a particular activity or program is a music lesson is a question of fact. The CRA has developed the following questions to help determine whether an activity or program is a music lesson for GST/HST purposes. These questions are not necessarily all-inclusive or of equal significance in each particular case.

If a supplier provides multiple music programs, some of these programs may be considered music lessons for GST/HST purposes while others may not. For instance, some suppliers may provide different programs designed for participants in a particular age range. Each program must be considered separately.

Example

A supplier offers a program for pre-school aged children and their parents. The program is advertised as a great way for families to spend time together and have fun. The program consists of singing, musical games, dancing, storytelling and play time. Although the program involves some musical elements, most of the program schedule is devoted to other activities. The main purpose of the program is to promote child development and socialization. This program would not qualify as a music lesson for GST/HST purposes. Therefore, the supplier must charge GST/HST on its supplies of the program.

Matsqui First Nation implements First Nations goods and services tax

Starting May 21, 2013, the First Nations goods and services tax (FNGST) applies to supplies made on the lands of the Matsqui First Nation, excluding supplies made on the reserve (i.e., Pekw'xe:yles) that the Matsqui First Nation shares with other British Columbia First Nations.

Everyone, including Indians, pays the FNGST on goods and services acquired on the reserve lands of the Matsqui First Nation.

As the FNGST is designed to work within the GST/HST framework, no additional forms or changes to registration are required. Vendors simply apply the FNGST to their supplies of goods and services made on the reserves of the Matsqui First Nation in the same manner as the GST/HST.

Further information

The CRA has published a notice regarding the implementation of the FNGST: NOTICE283, The Matsqui First Nation Implements the First Nations Goods and Services Tax. If you require additional information on the FNGST, see Booklet RC4365, First Nations Goods and Services Tax (FNGST), check the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/aboriginalpeoples or contact the CRA at 1 800 959 5525.

What's new with GST/HST electronic filing?

Effective April 8, 2013, several new services are available for GST/HST return filers:

Electronic filing of Form GST106

Form GST106, Information on Claims Paid or Credited for Foreign Conventions and Tour Packages can be filed through an online Web form when filing a GST34 return using GST/HST NETFILE or “File a return”  in My Business Account and Represent a Client . Form GST106 can also be filed separately using  “File a return”  in My Business Account and Represent a Client.

Reporting of BC transition tax and BC transition rebate

Schedule A of the GST34 return has been updated with new fields to report the BC transition tax and BC transition rebate. These new fields apply to builders of housing in British Columbia, as part of the province's return to the PST, and are accessible using GST/HST NETFILE and  “File a return”  in My Business Account and Represent a Client. For more information about the BC transition tax and BC transition rebate see GST/HST Info Sheet GI-156, Elimination of the Harmonized Sales Tax in British Columbia: British Columbia Transition Tax on New Housing, GST/HST Info Sheet GI-157, Elimination of the Harmonized Sales Tax in British Columbia: British Columbia Transition Rebate for Builders of New Housing and GST/HST Notice276, Elimination of the HST in British Columbia in 2013 – Transitional Rules for Real Property Including New Housing.

Electronic filing requirements for persons in PEI

Certain persons in PEI are required to file their GST34 returns electronically for any reporting periods ending on or after April 1, 2013. For information on electronic filing, who is required to file their GST/HST returns electronically, and line by line instructions for completing the GST/HST NETFILE return, see GST/HST Info Sheet GI-099, Builders and Electronic Filing Requirements and GST/HST Info Sheet GI-118, Builders and GST/HST NETFILE. Schedule A of the GST34 return has been updated with new fields to report information for filers in PEI. 

What's new with online services?

Register for online mail

You can now choose to receive notices of assessment and reassessment, and some letters online. When you register for this new service, the CRA will no longer print and mail correspondence items to you. Instead, you will receive an email to notify you that there is mail to view in your secure online business account.

Using the new online mail service is much faster and easier, compared to managing paper mail. Go to My Business Account at www.cra.gc.ca/mybusinessaccount, and select “Manage online mail” from the left sidebar menu.

View mail

We have renamed the “View correspondence” service to “View mail (correspondence).” You can view a notice of assessment, letter, or statement in “View mail” up to three years from the date of the item.

Direct deposit

Instead of being sent a cheque for your refunds and rebates, enjoy the convenience of direct deposit.

Wherever your business takes you, make sure your CRA refunds and rebates can reach you. Asking for direct deposit means you will receive your money faster and it will be deposited directly into your account at a Canadian financial institution.

To sign up for direct deposit, fill out form RC366, Direct Deposit Request for GST/HST, Payroll, and/or Corporation Income Tax.

Prescribed rates of interest

The prescribed annual rate of interest in effect from April 1, 2013, to June 30, 2013, on overdue amounts payable to the Minister is 5%. The prescribed annual rate of interest on amounts owed by the Minister (i.e., rebates or refunds) is 1% for corporate taxpayers and 3% for non-corporate taxpayers. These rates are applicable to income tax, excise tax, the softwood lumber products export charge, GST/HST and the air travellers security charge (ATSC) and excise duty on wine, spirits and tobacco.

The prescribed annual rate of interest respecting excise duty on beer, on overdue amounts payable for the indicated period, is set at 3%. Refund interest rates are not applicable for amounts owed by the Minister (i.e., rebates or refunds) for excise duty that is in relation to beer.

Prescribed rates of interest
GST/HST, Excise Tax, Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge, Excise Duty (wine, spirits, tobacco), Income Tax, ATSC Excise Duty
(beer)
Period Refund Interest Corporate Taxpayers Refund Interest Non-Corporate Taxpayers Arrears and Instalment Interest Arrears
Interest
April 1 to June 30, 2013 1% 3% 5% 3%
January 1 to March 31, 2013 1% 3% 5% 3%
October 1 to December 31, 2012 1% 3% 5% 3%
July 1 to September 30, 2012 1% 3% 5% 3%

Prescribed interest rates for previous years are available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/interestrates.

What's new in publications

The following is a list of new or revised excise and GST/HST forms and publications.

GST/HST forms

GST/HST guides, booklets and pamphlets

GST/HST info sheets

GST/HST notices

GST/HST technical information bulletins

Excise forms

Excise notices

Softwood lumber products export charge notices

All GST/HST, Excise Duty, and Excise Taxes and Special Levies publications can be found on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/gsthsttech, at www.cra.gc.ca/etsl, and at www.cra.gc.ca/exciseduty.

To receive email notification as soon as a document is published on the CRA Web site, go to the electronic mailing lists page at www.cra.gc.ca/lists and subscribe to the RSS feed for all new CRA publications and forms, or subscribe to any number of mailing lists for different types of publications.

Enquiries

For online access to your GST/HST, softwood lumber products export charge, air travellers security charge, excise tax and duty accounts, (such as viewing up-to-date account balances and transactions, transferring payments, and more) go to:

For technical help while using our online services:

  • business accounts, call 1-800-959-5525
  • teletypewriter users, call 1-800-665-0354
  • calls outside of Canada and the United States, call 709-772-8371 collect

Please have the screen number (bottom right); and if applicable, the error number and message received on hand when calling.

For specific account-related enquiries, use the online “Enquiries service” on My Business Account. Select the “Submit an enquiry” option to send us your question and receive a response electronically.

For general information and to make enquiries regarding your account (except for softwood lumber products export charge accounts), call Business Enquiries at 1-800-959-5525.

For enquiries regarding your softwood lumber products export charge account, call 1-800-935-0313.

To make enquiries regarding the status of specific GST/HST domestic rebate claims, call 1-800-959-5525.

For GST/HST technical enquiries call GST/HST Rulings at 1-800-959-8287.

Forms and publications

To access forms and publications online go to www.cra.gc.ca/orderforms.

To order forms and publications by telephone call 1-800-959-2221.

Are you a GST/HST registrant located in Quebec?

To make an enquiry or obtain information on the GST/HST, contact Revenu Québec at 1-800-567-4692 or

 visit their Web site at www.revenuquebec.ca.

Are you a selected listed financial institution located in Quebec?

For GST/HST account-related enquiries or for registration for a CRA business number, call Business Enquiries at 1-800-959-5525. For GST/HST technical enquiries, call GST/HST Rulings at 1-855-666-5166.

For QST account-related enquiries for reporting periods ending on or after January 1, 2013 or for registration for a CRA business number effective on or after January 1, 2013, call Business Enquiries at 1-800-959-5525. For technical enquiries related to the amended QST, call GST/HST Rulings at 1-855-666-5166.

The Excise and GST/HST News is published quarterly and highlights recent developments in the administration of the goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST), First Nations goods and services tax (FNGST) and First Nations tax (FNT), softwood lumber products export charge, air travellers security charge (ATSC) as well as excise taxes and duties. If you would like to receive a link to each new edition of the Excise and GST/HST News as it is published, subscribe to the electronic mailing list.

This publication is provided for information purposes only and does not replace the law, either enacted or proposed. Please note that any commentary in this newsletter regarding proposed measures should not be taken as a statement by the CRA that such measures will in fact be enacted into the law in their current form. Comments or suggestions about the newsletter should be sent to the Editor, Excise and GST/HST News, Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch, CRA, Ottawa, ON K1A 0L5.

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