Limited stays (like vacation accommodations - less than 30 days) and goods purchased during your stay in Canada are G.S.T. exempt. You can obtain a G.S.T. Rebate form from hotels, motels, gift shops and duty free shops.

This simply means that if you are a visitor to Canada, from another country, you can fill out a form and recover a portion of the cash you spent during your stay from the Ontario government! Not bad right?

Your motel or hotel can explain the procedure and as a foreign visitor, you can apply to the government for a rebate (cash back) on the funds you paid for taxes during your stay. You can also obtain Instant cash rebates at Canadian Duty Free Stores situated at International border crossings. The guidelines provided below will help you to process your claim.

• Rebates are paid instantly on goods totaling $14.00 and over up to $500
• Rebates are paid for goods purchased for use outside Canada and taken from Canada. ($50 or more)
• All receipts have to be the originals.
• All Receipts must show that G.S.T was paid, or included in the price.
• Proof of residence and photo ID is required
• Visitors frequenting Canada may save their sales receipts during the calendar year and place a single claim through the mail-in program.
• Claims that are not clear may have to be forwarded to Revenue Canada for assessment. G.S.T Rebates are "NOT" paid on the following items:
  Accommodations and services other than short term, motor fuels, prescription drugs, medical appliances, alcoholic beverages, basic groceries, agricultural and fish products, tobacco along with particular goods or collectibles that increase in value such as jewellery and paintings.

Start with information from the motel or hotel you are staying at. Let them help you figure out the procedure.

For more information call: 1-800-66-VISIT from anywhere in Canada.

Outside of Canada call 1-902-432-5608