In reading an on official Alberta Travel guide, it appears that I can get a refund of the 7% GST...but not the 5% provincial tax on accomodations.

Is this correct?

Thanks

Hi Dick
I am assuming that you are American so yes, you can apply to get the 7% GST back, BUT something is fishy. Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax at all. I believe we are the only province without PST (and proud of it), so I'm not sure if the info you are reading incorrect or if it is in the interpretation of it.

Atilla, Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax, but my understanding is that we do have a 5% accommodation tax.

Sorry, Dick, in responding to Atilla I forgot your question. Yes, my understanding is that a foreign visitor who applies for a rebate of the GST portion of his/her accommodation cost does not receive a rebate of the provincial accommodation tax.

The goods and services tax (GST) is a federal tax, and the GST rebate program is administered by a federal government department.

Judy, thanks, I was not aware of that. Is it a hidden tax? I do not recall seeing it on my hotel bills.

The GST should be clearly indicated on hotel bills. I don't ever recall seeing it otherwise but since I can't get it back it don't look for it.

Thanks Judy and atilla.

I am not used to getting any tax refund on accomodations ...just on goods taken out of the country.

I have been to the Provinces of Quebec, Ontario and B.C...but never to Alberta. My wife an I are looking forward to our trip.

As a visitor from Australia, I usually put my application in to get a refund on accomodation as well as other goods. Of course you can only claim where you are charged the GST. For instance if you stay in a B&B you may not be charged any tax so you can't claim anything back, or you have booked thru Priceline, in which case you also can't claim anything as no GST is charged. You have to send your receipts with the application form. I have usually gotten a cheque back in 8-10 weeks.

Cheers

Mac123

This post was very educational for me. I did not even think about such refund. Between my car rental, hotel and tours I will be spending over $100 on taxes. Can someone please let me know where do I get the form and how do I apply for a refund?

There is a lot of information (and the required forms) at this Canada Revenue website--
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/nonre...s/visitors/tax
-e.html

There are also private companies that will do it for you, but they take a cut. Note: the preaddressed envelopes you will see at the airport are done by the private company, not the government.

Information on obtaining the refund of GST can be found at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors. This is the Canadian government website. The brochure "Tax Refund For Visitors To Canada" RC4031 contains the application form. This brochure should be available at provincial & federal tourist offices. Refund checks are normally received in 4-6 weeks and, for US residents, checks are in US Dollars. Caution: There are a number of private companies who charge a fee of 10-15% of your refund to process the application for you. You will also see their leaflets in shops, tourist offices, etc. There is no need to pay someone. The government instructions are clearly written as to what qualifies for a refund and the application process is simple.

If you're just claiming accomodations or prices on pre-paid tours, you can just print the form as others have suggested, and do it after you come back. Just save all the receipts.

However, if you're taking goods, you must also show "Proof of Exports" at the airport or at various duty-free shops if you're travelling by car. Without those validations, you cannot get your tax back on the goods. Read the website that others have provided carefully.