Taxes

Canada

Tthe Goods & Services Tax, GST, is a national sales tax similar to that in European countries (e.g. VAT). It is applied at the time of ordering or paying for a product or service in Canada. Currently the GST is 5%.

In the provinces of Alberta & Yukon, only the GST applies. In the province of Quebec, in addition to the GST, a provincial sales tax PST of 8.5% is also applicable on most goods and services. In otehr provinces, the GST and PST are combined and the combined tax is called the HST (12% in British Columbia, 13% in Ontario, 15% in Nova Scotia). Sound complicated? It is!

In the case of lodging (e.g. hotel accommodation) rather than a provincial sales tax, a hotel tax and possibly a tourism levy applies.

GST/HST Refund for Visitors:

As of March 31, 2007, the Canadian Government cancelled the Visitors' Rebate Program by which visitors could claim back the GST they paid on goods aquired, lodging and a portion of that paid on travel packages with lodging included.

As a tour operator, however, we are still able to discount approximately half of the GST/HST on certain types of tour packages. This discount will be reflected in your invoice and no further action is required on your part.

USA (Alaska):

The US does not have a national sales tax although there are various taxes that apply on a state, city or regional basis. You will not be charged the Canadian GST on tour or travel components provided in the US.