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Can HST/GST be claimed as credit for new canadian immigrant ?

S

sarimraza

Hero Member
May 23, 2012
294
3
Dear All

Ive recently done a short landing in canada as a new immigrant, upon all purchases im charged a 13 % HST.

I will be leaving canada after 2 months, and will not be filing any tax returns, So can i claim all the HST amount at the airport ?

I believe a tourist or visitor could, But im a new immigrant but am not establishing residency or filing taxes as of the moment, so would i be treated as a treated as a visitor or resident and can i claim the HST back or not ?

I have to know so that i may safe keep all my purchase receipts . .

Thanks
 
N

next2015

Hero Member
Nov 18, 2014
401
68
I am not a tax consultant, and I am certainly no expert on the Canadian tax code, but I think the smart thing for you to do is to walk away...

My advice stems from the simple fact: your entry into Canada was on an IMMIGRANT visa, not a visitor or tourist visa. Therefore, the application of the tax code is different, for you. Short-landing or not, you're a PR - fact! Therefore, you cannot claim sales tax refunds unless you fall in a specific low-income bracket, which income you should have earned in Canada.

I think there's 2 govt services/organizations one should engage carefully in any country, because they can turn your world up-side-down -- security and tax services. I think it'd be unwise for you to engage CRA at this point. Enjoy your 2 months, have a blast, begin your relationship with CRA after you have settled, permanently.

Here's some relevant info (with options for you to explore, should you choose to proceed): http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/rc151/rc151-15e.pdf
 
T

torontosm

Champion Member
Apr 3, 2013
1,676
261
sarimraza said:
Dear All

Ive recently done a short landing in canada as a new immigrant, upon all purchases im charged a 13 % HST.

I will be leaving canada after 2 months, and will not be filing any tax returns, So can i claim all the HST amount at the airport ?

I believe a tourist or visitor could, But im a new immigrant but am not establishing residency or filing taxes as of the moment, so would i be treated as a treated as a visitor or resident and can i claim the HST back or not ?

I have to know so that i may safe keep all my purchase receipts . .

Thanks
Click to expand...
The HST refund program for visitors was eliminated in 2007 so this is a moot point anyway.
 
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