CADA continues pressure for answers to Luxury Tax confusion
September 12, 2022
After hosting a webinar at the end of August intended for dealers to learn more about the details of the federal luxury tax on vehicles over $100,000, it became abundantly clear that even the representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency that were on hand were not able to answer many questions from dealers.
As a result, a strongly worded letter was sent to Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland urging the government to clarify crucial details of the luxury tax to avoid putting added pressure on dealerships, which are already under pressure from global supply chain issues. The letter was signed by Tim Reuss, CADA President & CEO, along with the CEO of the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association, Michael Rothe; the CEO of the Canadian Auto Manufacturers Association, Brian Kingston; and David Adams, CEO of the Global Automakers of Canada.
The “Navigating the Federal Luxury Tax” webinar was hosted by CADA with MNP, one of Canada’s largest tax and accounting consulting firms, to offer dealers a detailed overview of the luxury tax.
“The sheer volume of unanswered and unclear tax issues is unmatched in the history of retail automotive taxation,” states the letter. “Our collective membership is shocked that there are no simple straightforward written interpretation guides on issues as simple as winter tires, leases and demonstrators.”
The letter goes on to state, “As an industry we are concerned about the chaos that will occur as substantial details remain unclear. We have collectively voiced these concerns for the past year. To avoid market chaos, we are asking that you take extraordinary measures to resolve the current situation. These measures could include an extended grace period for implementation, greater resources to resolve concerns and even a delay in implementation.”
An appendix to the letter provides “a summary of the most important aspects that require clarification and official written guidance before this tax can be made operational in the marketplace,” including written guidance on the application/inclusion of the Luxury Tax for finance, insurance and warranties products including: extended warranties and payment protection plans, maintenance plans, insurance products and financing fees. Written guidance is also requested for the purchase of winter tires, which is mandatory in Quebec, guidance around demonstration vehicles, and many other important aspects of the tax.
CADA will continue to pressure the government to provide these details and will provide updates on any new information that is released. To contact the CRA directly with any questions please call 866-330-3304, or at Excise and Specialty Tax Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency, Place de Ville tower A 11th floor, 320 Queen St, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0L5.