GST Memoranda

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1.4 - Excise and GST/HST Rulings and Interpretations Service

September 2009

This memorandum explains the rulings and interpretations service offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in respect of the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST), excise taxes, excise duties, the air travellers security charge, the tax on insurance premiums, First Nations taxes and the softwood lumber products export charge. It does not, however, deal with income tax rulings. For information on income tax rulings refer to Information Circular IC 70-6R5, Advance Income Tax Rulings.

Revenu Québec administers the GST/HST in Quebec. Therefore, if you are located in Quebec and wish to make a technical enquiry or obtain a ruling related to the GST/HST, please contact Revenu Québec at 1-800-567-4692. You may also visit their Web site at www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca to obtain general information.

Table of Contents

• General
• Technical Publications
• Telephone enquiries
• Interpretations
• Rulings
  • Limitations on rulings
  • When rulings are revoked
  • Circumstances where a ruling will not be issued
• Processing requests for rulings and interpretations
• Rulings and audit
• Reconsideration of a ruling or interpretation
• Appendix A – Where to write or call for a ruling or interpretation
  • GST/HST and First Nations taxes
  • Excise duties
  • Excise taxes, the tax on insurance premiums and the softwood lumber products export charge.
  • Air travellers security charge
• Appendix B – Sample third party authorization letter
• Appendix C – Standard authorization for facsimile transmissions

General

Purpose

1. The CRA offers a rulings and interpretations service in respect of taxes and duties on goods and services. This is referred to as the Excise and GST/HST Rulings and Interpretations Service. As part of this service, the CRA issues technical publications and provides a technical telephone enquiry service, in addition to issuing rulings and interpretations on these taxes and duties. The purpose of the Excise and GST/HST Rulings and Interpretations Service is to assist taxpayers (e.g., GST/HST registrants or their representatives, excise tax licensees, excise duty licensees and registrants, and other interested persons) to comply voluntarily with the law by providing them as much information as possible on how the relevant provisions of the applicable legislation affect their operations or transactions.

Free service

2. The CRA does not charge a fee for this service.

Scope of service

3. This service applies to the following taxes and duties:

• the GST/HST under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act;
• excise taxes under Part III of the Excise Tax Act;
• excise duties under the Excise Act, 2001 and the Excise Act;
• the air travellers security charge (ATSC) under the Air Travellers Security Charge Act;
• the tax on insurance premiums under Part I of the Excise Tax Act;
• First Nations taxes under the Budget Implementation Act, 2000 and the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act,and other legislation relating to agreements with First Nations; and
• the softwood lumber products export charge under the Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006.

Technical Publications

4. The CRA publishes a broad range of technical publications to inform registrants, licensees and the general public about taxes and duties on goods and services. These form part of the overall service of providing taxpayers with information to assist them to voluntarily comply with the legislation. The CRA incorporates the policy content of precedent-setting rulings and interpretations into technical publications when they are updated.

Types of publications

5. The main technical publications are as follows:

Memoranda

• Memoranda discuss the application of the legislation in detail. There are three series of memoranda:
  • The GST/HST Memoranda Series deals with the GST/HST provisions in Part IX of the Excise Tax Act and related schedules to the Act.
  • Excise Duty Memoranda deal with excise duties on spirits, wine and tobacco products under the Excise Act, 2001.
  • Excise Tax and Special Levies Memoranda deal with excise taxes, the ATSC and the tax on insurance premiums.

Technical Information Bulletins

• GST/HST Technical Information Bulletins (TIBs) are published to announce and discuss in detail changes to the GST/HST legislation or programs or to focus on specific administrative issues.

Policy Statements

• GST/HST Policy Statements set out CRA's interpretation of specific legislative provisions or discuss specific issues.

Excise and GST/HST News

• The Excise and GST/HST News is published quarterly on the Internet and highlights recent developments in the administration of the GST/HST, as well as excise taxes and duties and special levies. All new excise and GST/HST publications are listed in this publication.

Info sheets

• GST/HST Info Sheets are written in plain language and designed to provide clear and brief explanations of specific issues on the GST/HST.

Notices

• Notices (GST/HST Notices, Excise Tax and Special Levies Notices, Excise Duty Notices - Excise Act, Excise Duty Notices - Excise Act, 2001, Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Notice) are brief announcements on various matters, such as changes to CRA policy, publications and administration.

Excise Duty Circulars

• Excise Duty Circulars provide detailed technical information and guidelines on the administration of excise duties on beer under the Excise Act.

Online

6. All the above-noted technical publications are available on the CRA Web site at these addresses:

• GST/HST:  www.cra.gc.ca/gsthsttech
• Excise taxes and special levies: www.cra.gc.ca/etsl
• Excise duties: www.cra.gc.ca/exciseduty
• Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Notice:  www.cra.gc.ca/softwood 

Electronic subscription service

7. Persons wishing to receive technical publications may take advantage of the CRA's electronic subscription service. To obtain details on this service, check the CRA Web site under the heading E-services for business or at this address: www.cra.gc.ca/lists.

Telephone enquiries

Enquiry service

8. The CRA provides a service of answering technical enquiries by telephone. While a binding ruling cannot be provided over the telephone, the CRA can provide general interpretations of the legislation or other assistance. The CRA endeavours to respond to all telephone enquiries within one working day after receiving them.

9. In the course of answering a technical enquiry the CRA officer handling the call may request documentation. The officer may also advise the taxpayer to request a written ruling or interpretation, if the taxpayer requires certainty on how the legislation would apply to their operation or transactions.

Where to call

10. Appendix A to this memorandum contains information on where to call to make a technical enquiry.

Interpretations

Meaning of interpretation

11. An interpretation is a written statement the CRA provides to a taxpayer that sets out the CRA's view of how the legislation applies to a generic fact situation. An interpretation may also set out the CRA's general understanding of particular provisions of the legislation, whether proposed or enacted. A taxpayer requesting an interpretation should provide sufficient information to enable the CRA to understand the issues to be considered.

Not binding

12. Since they do not pertain to specific fact situations, or are based upon provisions that have not yet become law, interpretations are not binding on the CRA.

Rulings

Meaning of ruling

13. A ruling is a written statement the CRA provides to a taxpayer that sets out the CRA's position on how the relevant provisions of the legislation apply to a clearly defined fact situation of the taxpayer. Usually a ruling relates to ongoing issues or transactions and does not specify time limits. A ruling may also be given in advance of any proposed transaction and may be restricted in its application to specific persons, transactions and/or time periods.

All facts necessary

14. The CRA will issue a ruling only when the person requesting the ruling has provided all the relevant facts of a transaction or series of transactions. Refer to paragraph 32 of this memorandum for details on what information should be provided with the request for a ruling.

No hypothetical situations

15. The CRA will not issue a ruling where the request relates to a hypothetical situation or where it is unable to obtain sufficient facts from the taxpayer. In such cases, the CRA may provide an interpretation of the relevant provisions of the legislation in order to assist the taxpayer in fulfilling their obligations under the law.

Binding on the CRA

16. The CRA considers itself to be bound by the rulings it issues, subject to the limitations outlined in this memorandum.

Confidentiality

17. Information provided by taxpayers in the course of a request for a ruling or interpretation is protected under the confidentiality provisions of tax legislation such as the Excise Tax Act, and the Excise Act, 2001, as well as under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The CRA does not release such information to the public. However, rulings and interpretations issued by CRA Headquarters are made available to the public in severed form. Under this process, confidential information (meaning information that reveals the identity of the person to whom it relates) contained in the ruling or interpretation is removed.

Where to write

18. Appendix A to this memorandum contains information on where to write for a ruling or interpretation.

Limitations on rulings

Complete and accurate information

19. A ruling provided by the CRA is limited in its validity and application by the completeness and accuracy of the information upon which it is based.

Specific to taxpayer and situation

20. A ruling applies only to the taxpayer who requests it or on whose behalf it is requested, and only to the issues covered by the ruling.

Proposed legislation

21. The CRA does not issue rulings on proposed or draft legislation, draft regulations, federal budget proposals, or Notices of Ways and Means motions.  The CRA may, however, issue interpretations based on these documents.

Changes to law, regulations or policy

22. The CRA is not bound by a ruling where a subsequent change to the law, the CRA's interpretation of the law, or administrative policies affects its validity. The CRA ceases to be bound as of the effective date of such a change. The CRA informs the public of such changes by issuing CRA notices, the Excise and GST/HST News, policy statements and other excise and GST/HST publications on its Web site and providing links to Department of Finance press releases, as well as by liaising with industry associations and, where feasible, contacting individual registrants or licensees. Taxpayers should ensure that they keep current with any legislative, interpretative, or administrative change that may affect their obligations under the law.

Other qualifications

23. A ruling may also specify other qualifications as appropriate, e.g., the time limit within which the ruling will apply.

When rulings are revoked

24. When the CRA discovers that a ruling is incorrect, it may revoke or amend it.

CRA's error

25. Where a ruling is incorrect because of an error on the part of the CRA, the revocation or amendment would generally apply as of the date of the revocation letter. However, there may be circumstances where the CRA would consider a request to have the revocation take effect on the date of the original ruling or on another appropriate date.

Inaccurate information

26. Where a ruling is incorrect because the person that requested the ruling has not provided complete or accurate information, the revocation will apply from the date the original ruling was issued.

Circumstances where a ruling will not be issued

Reasons for not issuing a ruling

27. The CRA will not issue a ruling when it considers that it would be inappropriate to do so. Circumstances in which the CRA may not issue a ruling include:

• when a transaction on which a ruling has been requested is the same in character as a transaction completed by the requestor in a prior period, and the application of the relevant legislation to the earlier transaction is under discussion with the requestor, in dispute, or under assessment or proposed assessment, but is not before the courts;
• when the CRA believes that the request may be in respect of illegal activities;
• when the request concerns a matter in respect of which a Notice of Objection filed by the requestor is being considered;
• when the central issue involves a matter that is before the courts or, if a judgement has been issued, when an appeal to a higher court is being considered;
• when the request contains alternative courses of action on the part of the person requesting the ruling;
• when the request is for a determination of the fair market value of property;
• when a request involves a matter dealing with proposed or draft legislation, draft regulations, budget proposals, or Notices of Ways and Means motions;
• when the request concerns tax or duty related calculations (e.g., the amount of net tax due for GST/HST purposes or the amount of excise duty payable);
• when a ruling would require an opinion on generally accepted accounting principles or commercial practices;
• when a request is for a determination of fact, and the circumstances are such that all of the pertinent facts cannot be established (this could include issues involving the carrying on of a business, the existence of a partnership, a trust or an agency relationship, or the reasonableness of a cost allocation method); or
• when the request is for the interpretation of a law not administered by the CRA, e.g., a foreign law.

Informing the taxpayer

28. When the CRA decides not to issue a ruling, it will inform the taxpayer in writing of the reasons.

Processing requests for rulings and interpretations

Acknowledgement letter

29. Upon receipt of a request for a ruling or interpretation, the CRA will send the taxpayer an acknowledgement letter that identifies the ruling or interpretation file case number and the name and telephone number of a CRA contact person.

30. The CRA will review a request for a ruling or an interpretation as soon as possible after receiving it. However, a ruling or interpretation may be delayed if it requires a review of an issue upon which the CRA has not yet adopted a position, or if the CRA is currently in the process of reconsidering its existing position. A ruling or interpretation may also be delayed if the CRA finds it necessary to obtain further information from the taxpayer because the initial request does not include all relevant information and documentation. If a ruling is required by a certain deadline (e.g., before the closing date of a contract), the request should be submitted with reasonable lead-time.

Meeting with CRA officials

31. A taxpayer may ask to meet with CRA officials after requesting a ruling or interpretation. The CRA encourages such meetings when the purpose is to provide new information, clarify facts, or correct any misunderstanding of previously provided information

Documentary requirements

32. Taxpayers should provide all relevant documentation with their requests for rulings or interpretations. Complete documentation ensures that the CRA can answer the request in a timely manner, and that the ruling addresses the taxpayer's specific situation. Requests for rulings should include the following:

• the name and address of the person making the request and, if the person has a Business Number (BN), the person's BN, as well as the person's licence number (e.g., excise duty or excise tax licence number) where applicable, or if the request is being made by a third party, the name and address of the third party's client and, where applicable, the taxpayer's BN;
• where a representative (e.g., an accountant, bookkeeper, or lawyer) is acting on behalf of the person for whom the ruling will be made, the CRA requires a written third party authorization certifying that the representative is authorized to act on behalf of the taxpayer, and outlining the purpose, scope, and period of the authorization. This is also a requirement for persons requesting an interpretation where the interpretation applies to a particular named taxpayer. Appendix B provides more information on third party authorization;
• if another CRA office is considering the ruling request, a statement to that effect;
• a complete description of the facts and of each transaction;
• a statement as to whether the request involves a matter concerning which the requestor is currently under audit or has filed a Notice of Objection, or which is before the courts;
• for each transaction covered by the ruling request:
  • a statement of its purpose,
  • the requestor's interpretation of the application of the relevant legislative provisions;
• the requestor's interpretation of common law or Civil Code of Québec issues relevant to the request (e.g., the existence of a trust or an agency relationship); and
• description of the specific interpretative concern on which the ruling request is based;
• a description of significant transactions that took place before, or may take place after, the transactions in respect of which a ruling is being requested, and which may be part of a series of transactions that includes the transactions in respect of which the ruling is requested;
• copies of any relevant supporting agreements or documents, together with references to, and summaries of the specific provisions of these agreements or documents which pertain to the request;
• where the request is for a GST/HST ruling and concerns the application of the general anti-avoidance rule to a transaction, a submission to establish that the transaction will not result directly or indirectly in a misuse of the GST/HST provisions of the Excise Tax Act or an abuse of the GST/HST provisions of that Act read as a whole. For information on the general anti-avoidance rule, refer to GST/HST Memorandum 500-6-9, General Anti-Avoidance Rule;
• an analysis, where applicable, of authorities (e.g., Canadian case law citations, published commentaries and references to jurisprudence) known to the taxpayer or their representative which support the taxpayer's position and those that do not, with comments as to why the authorities in support of the taxpayer's position should prevail.

Requests by fax

33. The CRA accepts facsimile transmissions of ruling or interpretation requests and related documents. Refer to Appendix A to this memorandum for appropriate facsimile numbers.

Client information faxed with authorization

34. The CRA will transmit a ruling or interpretation to a taxpayer (or the taxpayer's authorized representative) by facsimile when the taxpayer authorizes the CRA to do so and provides the CRA with a copy of the signed Standard Authorization for Facsimile Transmissions included in Appendix C to this memorandum. It should be noted that while the CRA will exercise due care in transmitting correspondence by facsimile, there is an inherent element of risk of loss of confidentiality in this means of transmission, which is accepted by the taxpayer.

Rulings and audit

Basis of ruling subject to audit

35. When the CRA undertakes an audit of a person who has received a ruling, the transactions upon which the CRA based its ruling are subject to review. The review may determine whether all material facts were accurately stated in the ruling request, and whether the transaction or series of transactions was carried out as described.

36. In some circumstances the CRA may rule on an issue that is under audit. In such a case, the rulings officer will communicate with the CRA auditor to discuss the request.

Reconsideration of a ruling or interpretation

Informal process

37. Although there is no formal appeal process for persons who disagree with a ruling or interpretation, the CRA will reconsider a ruling or interpretation if requested to do so.

Written request

38. A taxpayer who does not agree with a ruling or interpretation may submit a written request for reconsideration to the manager of the office that issued the ruling or interpretation.  The address of this office will appear in the ruling or interpretation letter. The request should clearly identify the taxpayer's name, address, telephone number, BN, licence number (where applicable), ruling or interpretation case number, and the reasons for the concerns. Third party authorization is required if a particular person is acting on the taxpayer's behalf.

Acknowledgement letter

39. Upon receipt of a written request for reconsideration, the CRA will send the taxpayer an acknowledgement letter that identifies the ruling or interpretation file case number and the name and telephone number of a CRA contact person, and subsequently contact the taxpayer to discuss the nature of the concerns. The CRA will also meet with the taxpayer if requested to do so.

40. Where a taxpayer's request for reconsideration cannot be resolved with the office which issued the ruling or interpretation, that office will forward the request for review at a more senior level.

Confirmation in writing

41. The CRA will confirm the outcome of the reconsideration process in writing to the taxpayer.

Enquiries by telephone

Technical enquiries on the GST/HST:  1-800-959-8287
General enquiries on the GST/HST:   1-800-959-5525 (Business Enquiries)
If you are located in Quebec:  1-800-567-4692 (Revenu Québec)

All technical publications on GST/HST are available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/gsthsttech.

Appendix A – Where to write or call for a ruling or interpretation

Listed below are instructions on where to write or call if you wish to request a ruling or interpretation or wish to make a technical enquiry.

GST/HST and First Nations taxes

For a ruling or interpretation or to make a technical enquiry on the GST/HST or First Nations taxes, write to a GST/HST rulings office or telephone 1-800-959-8287. These offices are listed below.

Please note that, since Revenu Québec administers the GST/HST in the Province of Quebec, Revenu Québec, rather than the CRA, provides rulings and interpretations and answers technical enquiries on the GST/HST for persons located in the Province of Quebec. You can contact Revenu Québec at 1-800-567-4692.

Atlantic Region

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
1557 Hollis Street
P.O. Box 638
Halifax NS  B3J 2T5
Fax: 902-426-3062

Ontario Region

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
4th floor
333 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON  K1A 0L9
Fax: 613-957-8481

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
55 Bay Street North
P.O. Box 2220
Hamilton ON  L8N 3E1
Fax: 905-527-0790

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
3rd floor East
1 Front Street West
Toronto ON  M5J 2X6
Fax: 416-952-5031

Prairie Region

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
325 Broadway Avenue
Winnipeg MB  R3C 4T4
Fax: 204-984-0606

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
340–3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon SK  S7K 0A8
Fax: 306-975-4418

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
220–4th Avenue S.E.
Calgary AB  T2G 0L1
Fax: 403-292-5636

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton AB  T5J 4C8
Fax: 780-495-7527

Pacific Region

LPRA Division – GST/HST Rulings
200-1010SM
9755 King George Boulevard
Surrey BC V3T 5E1
Fax: 604-658-8666

Excise duties

For a ruling, interpretation or technical enquiry on excise duties, contact one of the regional excise duty offices listed below.

Atlantic Region

Excise Duty Manager
P.O. Box 638
Halifax NS  B3J 2T5
Phone: 902-426-5748
Fax: 902-426-7177

Quebec Region (District of Montréal)

Excise Duty Manager
Section 492
305 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, PO #32
Montréal QC  H2Z 1A6
Phone: 514-283-5788
Fax: 514-283‑6154

Quebec Region (District of Quebec)

Excise Duty Manager
Section 441–8
165 de la Pointe-aux-Lièvres Street
Québec QC  G1K 7L3
Phone: 418-649-4998
Fax: 418-648-5484

Ontario Region

Excise Duty – General Information
5800 Hurontario Street
P.O. Box 6000, Station A
Mississauga ON  L5A 4E
Phone (toll free): 1-866-667-9851
Fax: 905-615-2814

Prairie Region

Excise Duty Manager
220–4th Avenue S.E., Room 420
Calgary AB  T2G 0L1
Phone: 403-231-4124
Fax: 403-231-3033

Pacific Region

Excise Duty Manager
200-1010SM
9755 King George Boulevard
Surrey BC V3T 5E1
Phone: 604-658-8610
Fax: 604-658-8660

Excise taxes, the tax on insurance premiums and the softwood lumber products export charge

For a ruling or interpretation or to make a technical enquiry on excise taxes, the tax on insurance premiums or the softwood lumber products export charge, contact:

Excise and GST/HST Rulings Directorate
Excise Duties and Taxes Division
20th floor, Place de Ville, Tower A
320 Queen Street
Ottawa ON  K1A 0L5
Telephone: 1-866-330-3304
Fax: 613-954-2226

For softwood lumber products export charge registration, please call 1-800-935-0313.

Air travellers security charge

For a ruling, interpretation or technical enquiry on the air travellers security charge, contact one of the following offices:

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Quebec

Montreal Tax Services Office
305 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, 7th floor
Montréal QC  H2Z 1A6
Telephone: 1-866-330-3304
Fax: 514-283-6154

Ontario and Nunavut

Mississauga Tax Services Office
5800 Hurontario Street
P.O. Box 6000, Station A
Mississauga ON  L5A 4E9
Telephone: 1-866-667-9851 or 1‑877‑432‑5472
Fax: 905-615-2814

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories

Vancouver Tax Services Office
200-1010SM
9755 King George Boulevard
Surrey BC V3T 5E1 
Telephone: 604-658-8624
Fax: 604-658-8660

Appendix B – Sample third party authorization letter

Please note:

• A third party authorization letter (see sample below) is required where a third party is acting for a person to whom a ruling or interpretation will apply. The authorization should be specific to the request for a ruling or interpretation.
• Please provide the name, address, and telephone number of the third party. If the third party is an individual in a firm, provide both the name of the individual and that of the firm.
• This letter should be addressed to the office from which you are requesting a ruling or interpretation.
• Please specify the tax or duty to which the authorization applies, e.g. the GST/HST, excise duty or excise tax.
• If the authorization applies for a specific period of time, e.g. a GST/HST reporting period(s) or fiscal year or a series of excise duty fiscal months, please indicate this. If it applies on an ongoing basis please mention that fact.
• Please inform the CRA if you wish to revoke a third party authorization. The request for revocation should contain all of the information provided with the initial request for authorization.

Appendix C – Standard authorization for facsimile transmissions

An authorization for facsimile transmissions, as in the example below, must be included with all rulings or interpretations requests in respect of which the taxpayer wishes the CRA to fax correspondence.