gst tax in canada

[emmalee]

We have been to Canada several times and always claimed the GST tax back. The last two times my claim was refused because the rules had changed. Has anyone recently claimed and know the rules inside out, thanks in advance!

[dzug]

The rules are on this form:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/gst176-03e.pdf and here: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0301.htm

I can't see any change since I last visited a year or so back, but note that the method varies according to how/where you leave Canada

What rule did they say you didn't follow?

[dzug]

The other thought I have is that the Canadians were 'working to rule' and some minor defect in your claim that would normally have been ignored has been used to reject it.

They do this from time to time with mail from the UK - if the customs label is not in the right place (ie top left) they will return it to sender rather than read it on say the back of the package.

[Machecoul]

When we tried to claim last year - returning from Toronto - April - we took all our forms etc to the desk (customs?) and although they allowed the claim - they did say we should have gone there before we checked our suitcases through so they could see all the goods.

WE hadn't done this before so had no idea what to do anyway!!!!!