On July 1st 2010 the Ontario Government will be replacing its current retail sales tax with a new tax harmonized with the Federal Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) known as the Harmonized Sales Tax (“HST”). There are a number of rules dealing with the transition period from the date of the original announcement to July 1st 2010 that must be complied with. To find out more about how HST will affect your business I invite you to continue reading.
Small Business Transitional Credit
To help small businesses with the transition to the HST the Ontario government is providing eligible businesses with a one-time credit of between $300 and $1,000. The credit should help off-set some of the additional costs that businesses may incur, for example updating computer systems, upgrading accounting systems, upgrading point of sale terminals, and invoices, sales receipts and expense reports to name a few. To be eligible for the transitional credit the business must make taxable supplies, be registered under the Excise Tax Act, be an Ontario Business and not be a listed financial institution. Businesses with over $2,000,000 in taxable revenues are also not eligible for the credit.
Total Quarterly Taxable Revenues Amount of Credit
$0-$15,000 $300
$15,001 – $50,000 2% of taxable revenues
$50,001 – $500,000 $1,000
For more information on Small Business Transition support please visit the Province of Ontario Website: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/publications.html. The federal government also has some useful information http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/txtps/2010/tt100601-eng.html. You are also invited to contact your small business accountant
Registering for HST
If your business is already registered for GST your business is automatically registered for HST. Your HST will be filed according to your current GST filling schedule. If you are not currently registered for HST you may be required to register. For more details contact your tax accountant Generally a for profit business is required to register for HST/GST when its total taxable goods and services exceeds $30,000 in 4 consecutive quarters, or $30,000 in one quarter. Limousine and Taxi companies that are regulated by federal or provincial laws are required to registered period. It should be noted that companies that only provide exempt “taxable goods and services” cannot register for GST/HST. In addition businesses cannot claim input tax credits incurred to produce exempt supplies. For more information on registering for GST/HST please contact your Burlington Chartered Professional Accountant or visit following link http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/rgstrng/mndtry-eng.html
Key Dates:
Generally speaking the HST is due to take effect on July 1st 2010, however in certain circumstances HST is required to be reported prior to July 1st 2010.
October 14th 2009: In certain circumstances when goods or services are paid for after October 14th 2009 but provided after July 1st 2010 the purchasers of these services may be required to self-asses the HST.
May 1st 2010: For the majority of Goods and Services paid for after May 1st 2010 and provided after July 1st 2010 the vendor is required to charge and remit the HST. There are limited exceptions to this rule, one of which is pre-paid funeral arrangements.
July 1st 2010: HST is required to be charged on all goods and services that are not exempt services. If your customers are paying for goods or services before July 1st 2010 and receiving the goods or services after July 1st 2010 you should discuss the circumstances and the types of goods and services being provided with you small business accountant such as a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Angus Shuttleworth CPA Professional Corporation.
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