GST in Canada

Leon93
Level 1
Vancouver, Canada

GST in Canada

Hi, I did not register for a GST ID but in 2022 I did go above the 30,000CAD Revenue. CRA is looking for proof that Airbnb has collected GST on my behalf, I've called Airbnb support they kept saying that it is part of the "Occupancy Taxes" and there is no way for them to separate them out. Any suggestion on how I can proceed without having to remit those taxes twice?

 

Thank you in advance.

5 Replies 5
Breanna
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
Pontefract, United Kingdom

Hi @Leon93 

 

This is a tough one! I'll tag some other experienced Canadian Hosts who might be able to give you some advice here. 

@Paul7222@Anne1057@Dave-and-Deb0 have you ever navigated the GST/Occupancy Taxes issue before?  

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Graham481
Level 1
Palm Harbor, FL

@Leon93 I don't have an answer but more of a follow-up related question.

We are looking at using a separate, over the garage unit as Airbnb next year. We have gone through permits  and inspections too late to rent this year. But have a few questions/comments

 

We appear to be in the same situation.

We are non-Canadian residents with property in Canada. Originally from Canada but now living in US. We also have a long term rental so have experience dealing with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) although not with respect to GST.

1) as full time rental, we had to remit 25% of gross rental to CRA on monthly basis.

    Typically, we got back 95% when we filed a Non-Resident (NR) return 

     Since we are covered by Canada-US Tax treaty, we can only be taxed by country in which we reside. Dont'y know if there is a Canada-UK Tax Treaty 

2)  If you rent for more then 89 days you are considered a commercial operation which appears to be a Pandora's box. If you had GST in excess ok $30k that means income of $200k +/-.

 

3) If you are over $30k in GST, would suggest contacting a an accountant that specializes in this. We have an accountant for normal NR return but she does not want to handle us for Airbnb issues - so we are in same boat.

4) Also, as non-resident owner, look into the new (2023)  Underused Housing Tax (UHT), a federal 1% tax on the ownership of vacant or underused housing in Canada that took effect on January 1, 2022. I'll let you Google that but source is government website cananda.ca. There are exemptions but major impact is not filing - $5,000 penalty. We met 2 of exemptions and so no tax.

 

Are there any Canadian, non-resident hosts, that have any advise - maybe condo owners in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver- on taxation?

The $30,000 rule for hst is based on a revenue threshold. Once you earn over $30,000 cdn in revenue then you have to start submitting hst charged to clients to the gov't

@Leon93 The same thing is happening to us. Did you ever get an answer? 

Jane4482
Level 2
Duncan, Canada

Hi Leon,

I am experiencing the same issue as you. The CRA wants proof of GST submitted. 

Did you ever have any resolution or were you forced to pay the GST twice?

Thanks,

Jane