Can HST/GST be claimed as credit for new canadian immigrant ?

[sarimraza]

Dear All

Ive recently done a short landing in canada as a new immigrant, upon all purchases im charged a 13 % HST.

I will be leaving canada after 2 months, and will not be filing any tax returns, So can i claim all the HST amount at the airport ?

I believe a tourist or visitor could, But im a new immigrant but am not establishing residency or filing taxes as of the moment, so would i be treated as a treated as a visitor or resident and can i claim the HST back or not ?

I have to know so that i may safe keep all my purchase receipts . .

Thanks

 

[next2015]

I am not a tax consultant, and I am certainly no expert on the Canadian tax code, but I think the smart thing for you to do is to walk away...

My advice stems from the simple fact: your entry into Canada was on an IMMIGRANT visa, not a visitor or tourist visa. Therefore, the application of the tax code is different, for you. Short-landing or not, you're a PR - fact! Therefore, you cannot claim sales tax refunds unless you fall in a specific low-income bracket, which income you should have earned in Canada.

I think there's 2 govt services/organizations one should engage carefully in any country, because they can turn your world up-side-down -- security and tax services. I think it'd be unwise for you to engage CRA at this point. Enjoy your 2 months, have a blast, begin your relationship with CRA after you have settled, permanently.

Here's some relevant info (with options for you to explore, should you choose to proceed): http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/rc151/rc151-15e.pdf

 

[torontosm]

Dear All

Ive recently done a short landing in canada as a new immigrant, upon all purchases im charged a 13 % HST.

I will be leaving canada after 2 months, and will not be filing any tax returns, So can i claim all the HST amount at the airport ?

I believe a tourist or visitor could, But im a new immigrant but am not establishing residency or filing taxes as of the moment, so would i be treated as a treated as a visitor or resident and can i claim the HST back or not ?

I have to know so that i may safe keep all my purchase receipts . .

Thanks

The HST refund program for visitors was eliminated in 2007 so this is a moot point anyway.

 

[sarimraza]

Thanks guys classic and decisive advice !