MORE TAX ON TRAVEL – THANKS DALTON | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

Travel agents are telling me that with the Ontario provincial harmonized tax we will be paying more to travel. Maybe you would like to write / email / telephone your Ontario MPP and tell them how you feel. I have contacted my MPP and they acknowledged receipt of my email and then telephoned me as well. They promised nothing of course, just acknowledged receipt.The reason I travel out of country is I desire a vacation in warmth and since summer is when most of my business takes place, I can only vacation in the off seasons – and I dislike camping in the snow, so I go south. Now my provincial government wants to increase my tax, so I will cut back on my business during the summer, earn less money, pay less tax (federal and provincial) and then we all win – right?

Call / write / email if you make less than $160,000 per year to you local MPP and to Dalton McGinty. That is you isn’t it?

Can someone tell me where those taxes and fees go? How come the taxes are the same if you say for 3 days or stay for two weeks? How come the taxes are the same for a cheap 500 all inclusive stay or 5 plus star two week 6000 dollar vacation.How come taxes for Cuba are $229, Mexico are either $270,$305,$ or $331 depending on I don’t know what.DR vacations tack on another 334 bucks. When we made our first trip to DR in 2002 I’m quite sure we paid 96 bucks tax. That is close to a 400% increase. Ouch! I find the whole thing a bit hard to understand.Having said all that we are off to Cayo Santa Maria tomorrow. No amount of taxes will keep us home.

Adios

Ah, harmonizing the GST and PST. What fun, another tax to the taxpayer. Just like the Health Premium, it’s not advertised as another tax, but it is.Businesses will save millions or billions of dollars. In reality, they will leave people out of work. During a recession too.

Get your vacations in before July of 2010 (for all the Ontario residents).

Adios

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the "taxes & fees" relate to airport and gas taxes….therefore it doesn’t matter what class of hotel you book or how long you are staying, since you are flying on the same plane regardless. A higher amount for a longer trip makes sense then, as it would be about the gas surcharge.

I could play "devil’s advocate" here, and suggest that those of us who are lucky enough to afford travel should just suck it up and pay the extra tax. Think of all those who aren’t as lucky……and in a perfect world, our tax dollars would go to improve life for them. (yes, probably unlikely, but I can dream!) Two things for sure in life…..death & taxes! True everywhere you go. ;D

The HST will add 8% to the cost of your trip for the amount that also attracts GST, not on the whole amount. For flight only trips, there is only $1.00 in GST that is included in the ‘taxes’. That’s right, one buck. GST applies to the Airport Improvement fee which is $20 for Toronto departures. So, the additional cost would be 8% of $20 which is only an additional $1.60.For AI trips, I can’t determine the amount of GST included in the ‘taxes", but I’m sure is is not very much.

Additional costs due to HST on travel will be very minimal.

I believe it is true we don’t know how much tax will be added and on what portion(s) the PST will be added to. The issue I make is with the first four words: Travel agents are telling …Why are they telling this story? They must feel that it is another "tax" on the taxes, surcharges, fees, and other squeezes on the pocket book. Do travel agents feel this is important to the consumer or do they have a hidden agenda? More than one agent felt it was important enough to mention. If there is anyone with tax knowledge of the travel industry perhaps you could weigh in.

I would hope that on AI there would be no tax added as the services (for most vacations) will be delivered outside of Ontario (eg. CUBA).

frenchgirl Guest

The tax is on the airfare part. And if anyone is interested in the nitty gritty details, here is the official tax brifing to airlines from the government (long and boring)COUNTRY: CANADA NAME OF TAX/FEE/CHARGE: AIR TRAVELLERS SECURITY CHARGE TICKET CODE: CA PURPOSE: TO FUND THE COST OF NEW SECURITY MEASURES INTRODUCED OR TO BE INTRODUCED SUBSEQUENT TO 11 SEPT 2001 EVENTS. FOR TICKETS SOLD IN CANADA FOR TRANSBORDER TRAVEL: TRANSBORDER (CANADA-USA) ONE-WAY: CAD 7.94 / RETURN: CAD 15.89 SUBJECT TO GST ONE-WAY: CAD 8.42 / RETURN: CAD 16.84 NOT SUBJECT TO GST INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: CAD 17.00 FOR TICKETS SOLD OUTSIDE OF CANADA: FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL: N/A TRANSBORDER (CANADA-USA) ONE-WAY: CAD 7.94 / RETURN: CAD 15.89 SUBJECT TO GST ONE-WAY: CAD 8.42 / RETURN: CAD 16.84 NOT SUBJECT TO GST DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL YXC – CAD 9.90 TILL 31DEC07 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: CAD 17.00 ****** AMOUNTS: EFFECTIVE FROM 01JAN08- FOR TICKETS SOLD IN CANADA FOR WHOLLY DOMESTIC TRAVEL: ONE-WAY: CAD 4.67 / RETURN: CAD 9.33 SUBJECT TO GST ONE-WAY: CAD 4.90 / RETURN: CAD 9.80 NOT SUBJECT TO GST . FOR TICKETS SOLD IN CANADA FOR TRANSBORDER TRAVEL: TRANSBORDER (CANADA-USA) ONE-WAY: CAD 7.94 / RETURN: CAD 15.89 SUBJECT TO GST ONE-WAY: CAD 8.34 / RETURN: CAD 16.68 NOT SUBJECT TO GST INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: CAD 17.00 FOR TICKETS SOLD OUTSIDE OF CANADA: FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL: N/A TRANSBORDER (CANADA-USA) ONE-WAY: CAD 7.94 / RETURN: CAD 15.89 SUBJECT TO GST ONE-WAY: CAD 8.34 / RETURN: CAD 16.68 NOT SUBJECT TO GST DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL YXC – CAD 9.80 FROM 01JAN08 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: CAD 17.00 NOTE: AMOUNTS PAYABLE ARE BASED ON CHARGEABLE ENPLANEMENTS IN CANADA AND DIFFER DEPENDING ON WHERE THE TICKET IS ACQUIRED APPLICABLE TO/FROM THE FOLLOWING CITIES: YAM YAR YAY YBC YBG YBL YBR YBX YCD YCG YCL YDF YDQ YEG YFB YFC YGK YGL YGP YGR YGW YHM YHZ YJT YKA YKF YKZ YLL YLW YMM YMT YMX YOW YPA YPR YQB YQG YQI YQL YQM YQQ YQR YQT YQU YQX YQY YQZ YRJ YSB YSJ YSL YTF YTH YTS YTZ YUL YUY YVO YVP YVR YWG YWK YWL YXC YXE YXH YXJ YXS YXT YXU YXX YXY YYB YYC YYD YYF YYG YYJ YYR YYT )> YYY YYZ YZP YZR YZV ZBF ZUM . . EXEMPTIONS: – DIRECT FLIGHT TO OR FROM SMALL OR REMOTE AIRPORTS (NOT ON LIST ABOVE OF 90 AIRPORTS) – THE TRANSFER FROM A FLIGHT TO A CONNECTING FLIGHT IF THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT INCLUDED A CHARGEABLE EMPLANEMENT OR THAT THE FLIGHT BEGAN OUTSIDE CANADA – THE REBOARDING OF AN AIRCRAFT TO RESUME A DIRECT FLIGHT – THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY OR GROUND SERVICES – ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES (DIPLOMATS) – INFANTS FOR WHOM NO TICKET IS ISSUED OR INFANT FOR WHOM A )> TICKET IS ISSUED, WHERE THE ISSUED TICKET DOES NOT ENTITLE THE INFANT TO OCCUPY A SEAT. – EMPLOYEE FOR AN AIR CARRIER OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES IF TRAVEL IS IN THE COURSE OF THAT EMPLOYMENT – AIRCRAFT WHOSE MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT DOES NOT EXCEED 2730KG – AIRLINE STAFF TRAVELLING ON DUTY ON THEIR EMPLOYER’S AIRLINE OR AN AIRLINE THAT IS A WHOLLY-OWNED PARENT OR A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THEIR EMPLOYER. – MILITARY FLIGHTS – AIR AMBULANCES SERVICES – SPECIALTY SERVICES UNDER 56(2) OF THE CANADA TRANSPORT ACT (E.G. AERIAL SIGHTSEEING SERVICES, AIR FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES) COUNTRY: CANADA TYPE: TRANSPORTATION TAX – TICKETABLE TAX NAME: HST HARMONIZED SALES TAX (RC) THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION WHICH WILL EFFECTIVELY INCORPORATE A PROVINCIAL COMPONENT IN THE FEDERAL GOODS AND SERVICES (GST) TAX. THE LEGISLATION ADDS AN ADDITIONAL8 PERCENT TAX IN THE PROVINCES OF NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK ANDNEWFOUNDLAND. THE RESULT IS A HARMONIZED SALES TAX (HST) WITH A RATE OF 14 PERCENT, WHICH REPRESENTS THE FEDERAL COMPONENT OF 6 PERCENT GST AND THE PROVINCIAL COMPONENT OF 8 PERCENT. EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1,1997 SUPPLIERS ARE REQUIRED TO COLLECT THE HST INSTEAD OF THE GST FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION BEGINNING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1,1997. THE HST WILL BE CALCULATED ON THE ITINERARIES ORIGINATING IN THE PROVINCES OF NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND NEWFOUNDLAND AND TERMINATING IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY IN CANADA. THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX ON PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION IS BASED UPON THE JOURNEY OF THE PASSENGER, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE TICKET IS PURCHASED. THE HST IS TO BE CALCULATED ON THE TOTAL FARE PLUS THE APPROPRIATE AIR TRANSPORTATION TAX (ATT). I.E.: FARE PLUS ATT EQUALS SUB-TOTAL PLUS 14 PERCENT HSTOF 6 PERCENT GST AND THE PROVINCIAL COMPONENT OF 8 PERCENT. EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1,1997 SUPPLIERS ARE REQUIRED TO COLLECT THE HST INSTEAD OF THE GST FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION BEGINNING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1,1997. THE HST WILL BE CALCULATED ON THE ITINERARIES ORIGINATING IN THE PROVINCES OF NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND NEWFOUNDLAND AND TERMINATING IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY IN CANADA. THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX ON PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION IS BASED UPON THE JOURNEY OF THE PASSENGER, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE TICKET IS PURCHASED. THE HST IS TO BE CALCULATED ON THE TOTAL FARE PLUS THE APPROPRIATE AIR TRANSPORTATION TAX (ATT). I.E.: FARE PLUS ATT EQUALS SUB-TOTAL PLUS 14 PERCENT HST EQUALS TOTAL NOTE: HST IS 14 PERCENT WITH NO MAXIMUM. NOTE: TRAVEL FROM THE HARMONIZED ZONE TO USA IS TAXABLE FOR GST AT 6 PERCENT ONLY AND ZERO-RATED FOR THE 8 PERCENT PROVINCIAL COMPONENT. —————————————————————-****************************************************************COUNTRY: CANADA NAME: CANADIAN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FEE (AIF), INTL/DOM TAX CODE: SQ LEVIED ON EACH PASSENGER DEPTARTING FROM THE FOLLOWING CITIES ONDOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS RATES: SAULT STE.MARIE(YAM): CAD 15.00 TKT E 20090420/ TVL E 20090601 CALGARY(YYC): CAD 20.00 D-TVL/TKT 20090228 CALGARY(YYC): CAD 21.00 E-TVL/TKT 20090301 KELOWNA(YLW): CAD 10.00 NANAIMO(YCD): CAD 10.00 TKT E-20090301/ TVL E-20090401 WINNIPEG(YWG): CAD 15.00 WINNIPEG(YWG): CAD 20.00 E-TVL/TKT-01JAN08BAIE-COMEAU(YBC) CAD 10.00 EDMONTON(YEG): CAD 15.00 OTTOWA(YOW): CAD 15.00 SASKATOON(YXE): CAD 5.00 WITHIN SASKATCHEWAN FOR TKT D-28FEB09 AND TVL D-31MAR09 : YXE(OUTSIDE SASKATCHEWAN) SASKATONN(YXE): CAD 10.00 FOR TKT E-01MAR09 AND TVL E-01APR09 : YXE(OUTSIDE SASKATCHEWAN) SASKATONN(YXE): CAD 15.00 VICTORIA(YYJ): CAD 10.00 ST. JOHNS(YYT): CAD 15.00 REGINA(YQR): CAD 15.00 REGINA(YQR): CAD 5.00 FOR TRAVEL TO SASKATOON (YXE) MONCTON(YQM): CAD 15.00 LONDON(YXU): CAD 15.00 TIMMINS(YTS): CAD 10.00 STEPHENVILLE(YJT): CAD 15.00 TKT/TRVL ON/BEFORE- 20081231 STEPHENVILLE(YJT): CAD 20.00 TKT/TRVL ON/AFTER- 20090101 ROUYN-NORANDA(YUY): CAD 10.00 MONT TREMBLANT(YTM) CAD 15.00 TKT D-20081109/TVL D-20081214 MONT TREMBLANT(YTM) CAD 20.00 TKT E-20081110/TVL E-20081215 SARNIA CHRIS (YZR) CAD 15.00 TKT D-20081231/TVL D-20090131 SARNIA CHRIS (YZR) CAD 20.00 TKT E-20090101/TVL E-20090201 LETHBRIDGE(YQL): CAD 10.00 TKT D-20090331/TVL D-20090331 LETHBRIDGE(YQL): CAD 12.00 TKT E-20090401/TVL E-20090401 HALIFAX(YHZ): CAD 10.00 TKT D-20090131/TVL D-20090228 HALIFAX(YHZ): CAD 15.00 TKT E-20090201/TVL E-20090301 SAULT STE MARIE: CAD 10.00 KITCHENER (YKF): CAD 15.00 QUEBEC (YQB): CAD 15.00 HAMILTON(YHM): CAD 15.00 TKT D-20090217/TVL D-20090331 HAMILTON(YHM): CAD 20.00 TKT E-20090218/TVL E-20090401 GANDER (YQX): CAD 20.00 FREDERICTON(YFC): CAD 15.00 TKT D-20081231 FREDERICTON(YFC): CAD 20.00 TKT E-20090101 THOMPSON(YTH): CAD 15.00 FORT ST JOHN(YXJ): CAD 12.00 CASTLEGAR(YCG): CAD 7.00 BATHURST(ZBF): CAD 40.00 WINDSOR(YQG): CAD 10.00 )> JULOX(YQQ): CAD 5.00 PRINCE GEORGE(YXS) CAD 15.00 MONTREAL(YMX) : CAD 15.00 MONTREAL(YUL) : CAD 20.00 CHARLOTTETOWN(YYG):CAD 15.00 GRANDE PRAIRIE(YQU)CAD 12.00 SYDNEY (YQY): CAD 25.00 DEER LAKE (YDF) CAD 15.00 KAMLOOPS (YKA) CAD 5.00 TKT D-20081031 TRVL D-20081031 KAMLOOPS (YKA) CAD 10.00 TKT D-20081101 TRVL D-20081101 CRANBROOK (YXC): CAD 10.00 GOOSE BAY (YYR)? CAD 12.00 TKT/TVL D-20081231 GOOSE BAY (YYR)? CAD 20.00 TKT/TVL E-20090101 )> FORT MCMURRAY(YMM):CAD 10.00 ABOTTSFORD (YXX): CAD 5.00 WITHIN BC ABOTTSFORD (YXX): CAD 10.00 OUTSIDE OF BC MONT JOLI (YYY): CAD 5.00 TKT/TVL E-20090201 SAINT JOHN (YSJ): CAD 15.00 TKT D-31JAN09 AND TVL D-31MAR09 SAINT JOHN (YSJ): CAD 20.00 TKT E-01FEB09 AND TVL E-01APR09 VANCOUVER(YVR): CAD 5 WITHIN BRITISH COLOMBIA AND YUKON CAD 15 WITHIN NORTH AMERICA CAD 15 OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA (INCLUDING HAWAII AND MEXICO). TORONTO(YYZ): CAD 20.00 TKT/TVL D-20090531 TORONTO(YYZ): CAD 8.00 TRANSFERS ONLY TORONTO(YYZ): CAD 25.00 TKT/TVL E-20090601 . NOTE: FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL A TRANSFER IS A CONNECTION WITHIN 24HRS. FOR NORTH AMERICAN TRAVEL A TRANSFER IS A A CONNECTION WITHIN 4HRS EXEMPTION: 1. AIRLINE CREW ON DUTY. 2. FREE TICKETS (FOR COMPANY BUSINESS TRAVEL) 3. TRANSIT/TRANSFER PASSENGER (NEXT POSSIBLE CONNECTION: 24HRS- INTERNATIONAL/4HRS-DOMESTIC) EXEMPTION NOT APPLICABLE TO YYZ.4. AF FLIGHTS 7110-7113 (GROUND TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN YOW AND YUL) )>5. INFANTS UNDER TWO YEARS TRAVELLING ON A TICKET FOR WHICH NO FARE HAS BEEN PAID, OR, INFANTS UNDER TWO YEARS TRAVELLING WHERE NO TICKET IS REQUIRED.(EXCEPTION-INFANTS TICKETS WHICH ARE ISSUED AGAINST FREQUENT FLYER POINTS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM THE AIF) 6. ATTENDENTS OF DISABLED PERSONS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS (UNLESS SUCH DOMESTIC FLIGHTS ARE PART OF A TRANSBORDER OR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ITINERARY) OUT OF YQX (GANDER) NOTE: AIF IS SUBJECT TO GST(5) IN ALL CASES IRRESPECTIVE OF TYPE OF JOURNEY OR POINT OF SALE. FOR AIRPORTS IN ATLANTIC CANADA, AIF IS SUBJECT TO HST (14). FOR AIRPORTS IN QUEBEC, AIF IS SUBJECT TO GST (5) PLUS QST(7.5) FOR AIRPORTS ELSEWHERE IN CANADA, AIF IS SUBJECT TO GST (5). IN ALL CASES IRRESPECTIVE OF TYPE OF JOURNEY OR POINT OF SALE. —————————————————————-****************************************************************COUNTRY: CANADA TAX CODE: XG TYPE: TRANSPORTATION TAX – TICKETABLE TAX )> NAME: CANADIAN GOODS AND SERVICES TAX-(GST) APPLICABLE TO: ON ALL DOMESTIC TRAVEL AND TRANSBORDER TRAVEL WHEN FIRST ENPLANEMENT IS IN CANADA AMOUNT: 5 PERCENT IS LEVIED ON THE BASE FARE PLUS THE SQ TAX WHEN TRAVEL IS ENTIRELY WITHIN CANADA/USA WHEN TRAVEL ORIGINATES IN CANADA. 5 PERCENT IS LEVIED ON THE SQ TAX WHEN TRAVEL IS INTERNATIONAL AND ORIGINATES IN CANADA. EXEMPTIONS: )> GST IS EXEMPT ON TICKETS ISSUED ON BEHALF OF PROVINCIAL/ TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS/CROWN CORPORATIONS AND BODIES AS DESIGNATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE ISSUING AGENT MUST HAVE IN THEIR POSSESSION AN -EXEMTION CERTIFICATE/LETTER- WHICH IS ISSUED ONCE PER PERSON BY THE APPROPRIATE BODY PRIOR TO ISSUING THE TICKET. THE ISSUING AGENT IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GST COLLECTION AND EXEMPTION AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC AUDITING BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. . **************************************************************** TRANSPORTATION TAX – TICKETABLE TAX NAME: QUEBEC SERVICE TAX – (QST) (XQ) 7.50 PERCENT (NO MAXIMUM) IS LEVIED ON THE TOTAL FARE (WHICH ALREADY INCLUDES ANY APPLICABLE AIR TRANSPORTATION TAX(S) QST APPLIES TO TICKETS SOLD INSIDE OR OUTSIDE CANADA FOR TRANSPORTATION COMMENCING IN QUEBEC AND WHOLLY WITHIN CANADA. NOTE: AIF IS SUBJECT TO BOTH THE GST (5PERCENT) AND THE QST (7.5 PERCENT) WHERE THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC IRRESPECTIVE OF THE TYPE OF JOURNEY OR POINT OF SALE. EXEMPTIONS: CERTAIN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND QUEBEC GOVERNMENT BODIES LISTED AIF IS SUBJECT TO BOTH THE GST (5PERCENT) AND THE QST (7.5 PERCENT) WHERE THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN THE PROVINCEOF QUEBEC IRRESPECTIVE OF THE TYPE OF JOURNEY OR POINT OF SALE. EXEMPTIONS: CERTAIN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND QUEBEC GOVERNMENT BODIES LISTED BY THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC WILL NOT PAY QUEBEC SERVICE TAX. DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT TAXATION AUTHORITIES. _______________________________________________________________Are you thoroughly bored and confused now? In a nutshell, for international travel, there will be almost no difference. Domestic travel within Canada is a different story. BUT travel agent admin/service fees will be subject to the higher tax…. )>

Yeah, you should be more worried about the NEW tax on your home heating bill (gas/oil), electricity bill, used cars. Those alone make the 1000.00 one time adjustment dalton is making a joke. The advantage of travelling outside of the country was that it didn’t attract much in the way of GST since most of the services are provided in another country…and last time I checked the govt’s haven’t figured out how to tax us on money we spend in another country (hotel/food/cars/tourist attractions)….but give em’ time.!!!!

	A number of off topic posts have been deleted. This is, after all, a travel forum Thankssteffiej

death and death taxes are more like it…I guess we have a stimulas going on right now which is puttnig more$$ on the end of our checks.Not that I like talking about any government.I will raise my glass, in the hopes we all get to take a vacation some where.

Deputy

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