GST tax reimbursement?
 

Is it possible to get GST reimbursement for a trip to Canada after returning to the states? I was told we needed to ask at Customs but during all of the confusion at the airport, I forgot to inquire. As far as I can tell, we could get close to $300 back. Is it worth doing?

The refund for non-Canadian residents no longer exists--it was eliminated effective in April, I believe.

Although several hotels and retailers carefully explained that we would be able to apply for a refund for purchases and lodging at the customs office at Halifax airport about one month ago, we were informed by the customs office there that, indeed, the program had been suspended in April of this year.

Lots of fancy words follow...........

The Visitor Rebate Program was eliminated effective April 1, 2007, as part of the package of specific spending restraint measures announced by the Government on September 25, 2006. Under the amendments, if a written agreement for a supply to which GST relief applies was entered into prior to the announcement date, the relief would generally continue to be available (as described below) to recognize the fact that contracts may have been negotiated based on the availability of that relief. In addition, the current one-year period to claim a rebate would continue to apply.

The proposed amendments would apply as follows:

Goods

Non-resident consumers that purchase goods in Canada on which the GST becomes payable after March 31, 2007, would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of those goods. However, GST would continue not to apply where goods are shipped directly by the Canadian supplier to the non-resident's residence. (The shipping charges are also not subject to GST.)

Non-resident businesses would still be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of commercial goods exported. (Not for personal use.)

Non-resident businesses would also be able to avail themselves of the existing zero-rating provisions for commercially exported goods.
Accommodation
Non-residents would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of accommodation (including campsite fees) after March 31, 2007, unless it is part of a continuous accommodation at the same facility starting before April 1, 2007.

This GST rebate would continue to be available in respect of accommodation purchased under a written agreement entered into before the announcement date if the first night of continuous accommodation at the same facility starts before April 1, 2009.
Tour Packages
Non-residents would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of tour packages where the first night of accommodation in Canada included in the tour package is after March 31, 2007.

This GST rebate would continue to be available in respect of tour packages purchased under a written agreement entered into before the announcement date if the first night of accommodation in Canada is before April 1, 2009.