BC Residents Qualify for WA Tax Exemption

[Ikkaku]

whether you get hit with taxes at the border is up to discretion of the border officer (well, within 24 hours since there is no exemption)

Sometimes they'll make you pay if you bring back $50 worth of goods, sometimes they'll let you go even though you have $300 worth of goods. Totally up to the officer.

[syee]

Originally Posted by CorneringArtist

^ I haven't heard much about any refunds regarding the HST. The news typically covers both the for and the against, but anything regarding refunds has been essentially downplayed on both sides. I've maybe heard one thing about it, but nothing else.

I think what Tapioca is referring to is the GST/HST tax credit on your tax return. (I believe it's just a simple check box on the tax return) It's been available for as long as I remember.

I wonder if they are going to post the documentation (forms, criteria, etc) for this exemption. I can imagine a lot of the smaller retailers and retailers further away from the border may not be aware of this, and it would be good to have supporting documentation when going down in case they refuse to give you the exemption.

BTW, is the passport really proof of residency? I've always thought of it as proof of citizenship, but not necessarily residency.

[quasi]

Originally Posted by Ikkaku

whether you get hit with taxes at the border is up to discretion of the border officer (well, within 24 hours since there is no exemption)

Sometimes they'll make you pay if you bring back $50 worth of goods, sometimes they'll let you go even though you have $300 worth of goods. Totally up to the officer.

Unless you're me, then you pay ever single time.

[syee]

Originally Posted by quasi

Unless you're me, then you pay ever single time.

That's the one thing I hate about Nexus. In the regular lanes, they're more likely to wave you through and you get away with not having to pay anything. In the Nexus lane, they'll ding you every single time.

[skholla]

nope, passport wont do, you need a province issue id such as bc id or dl.

for nexus holders just use the nexus lane going down but dont use it coming home, you will regret it every time.

[saveth]

Originally Posted by skholla

nope, passport wont do, you need a province issue id such as bc id or dl.

for nexus holders just use the nexus lane going down but dont use it coming home, you will regret it every time.

Any particular reason? I plan on getting a nexus pass.
Posted via RS Mobile

[syee]

Originally Posted by saveth

Any particular reason? I plan on getting a nexus pass.
Posted via RS Mobile

It's just because with Nexus, you fill in the form and drop it in the box or give it to the attendant in the booth. They'll charge you the full taxes every single time, even if you buy $5 worth of stuff.

At the regular line, there's the possibility that they'll just wave you through and not send you inside to pay the taxes. The downside is that you'll have to wait in line. The northbound regular lane to Canada isn't nearly as bad as the Southbound to US (usually it's around 10-20 min wait northbound).

[nabs]

i will most def be shopping for a new tv in the states now! i aint supporting this HST bullshit.

[syee]

Originally Posted by nabs

i will most def be shopping for a new tv in the states now! i aint supporting this HST bullshit.

You do realize that you'll still have to pay the HST when you bring it back into Canada...(and any duties if it isn't made in the US, Canada or Mexico). You can't get away with it unless you plan to be there for >7 days and it's under $750 or you have a REALLY nice border agent that'll wave you through.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by skholla

nope, passport wont do, you need a province issue id such as bc id or dl.

for nexus holders just use the nexus lane going down but dont use it coming home, you will regret it every time.

I'm sure they have a record that you used the nexus lane to head down. Would they hassle you for not using the nexus lane to come back up?

[jackmeister]

Originally Posted by CorneringArtist

^ I haven't heard much about any refunds regarding the HST. The news typically covers both the for and the against, but anything regarding refunds has been essentially downplayed on both sides. I've maybe heard one thing about it, but nothing else.

http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals...edits/hstc.htm

For single individuals with no children, the credit is reduced by 4% of their net income over $20,000.

If my interpretation is correct, any unmarried person earning over 25750 (5750 x 4% = 230 ) does not get any credit. WHAT THE FUCK?

[syee]

Originally Posted by Gumby

I'm sure they have a record that you used the nexus lane to head down. Would they hassle you for not using the nexus lane to come back up?

No, they shouldn't. I've done it a few times before when the regular lane was empty. You could always tell them that you forgot to bring your TDC with you so you used the regular lane.

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by jackmeister

http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals...edits/hstc.htm



If my interpretation is correct, any unmarried person earning over 25750 (5750 x 4% = 230 ) does not get any credit. WHAT THE FUCK?

And why should they? Single people are the most able to take care of themselves.

And I say this as an unmarried middle income-earner who will be most impacted by the HST.

[Gh0stRider]

Originally Posted by Gumby

I'm sure they have a record that you used the nexus lane to head down. Would they hassle you for not using the nexus lane to come back up?

nope, no hassle. They dont even ask why you used the regular lane. I've done it a few times in the past.

[Gh0stRider]

Originally Posted by keitaro

So how is this going to work? We go down there flash some Canadian ID and they knock off the tax, or we fill out a form and send the receipts in and get a refund sent back?

BLAINE, WASHINGTON (NEWS1130) - Tax free shopping is like music to our ears. Come July 1st, it will be a reality for British Columbians visiting Washington State.

The state has always provided tax free shopping for visitors from provinces with no or low provincial sales taxes. Now that benefit will be extended to us thanks to the HST, which is not considered a sales tax, but a value-added tax.

Bruce Cran of the Consumers' Association of Canada says there's no doubt people will head down to take advantage of the savings. "I suppose B.C. retailers are going to have to put their heads together to try to counter this."
We were in Blaine this morning speaking with hopeful shoppers. One Canadian told us he prefers cross border shopping. "When I fill up in Langley it's $85, and when I come down here, I can get milk, eggs, cheese and my gas for less than $80."

The savings will apply only to goods British Columbians intend to bring back with them. Meal and hotel bills will not be eligible for the exemption. To get the tax break, a shopper has to show proof of B.C. residency.

Washington State has a basic sales tax of 6.5 per cent, but individual counties can add another three per cent.

[InvisibleSoul]

Originally Posted by quasi

Unless you're me, then you pay ever single time.

Try coming back late... it seems like they're less likely to bother with making you pay taxes if you come back across when the borders have quieted down and there are fewer staff working.

The last couple times, went down for only a few hours, but came back across after midnight and even with about $400 between my fiance and I, they just waved us through both times.

[StylinRed]

B.C. shoppers targeted in U.S. sales tax debate
Whatcom Country leaders consulting their lawyers
Bruce Claggett Jun 15, 2010 14:33:12 PM
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BELLINGHAM (NEWS1130) - A push is underway to overturn a decision to give Lower Mainland shoppers a sales tax exemption when they visit Washington State. Politicians think the loss of tax money would be devastating for Whatcom County.

Leaders in the County are consulting their top lawyers in a bid to challenge Governor Christine Gregoire over the state's decision to give a sales tax break to shoppers from B.C.

The move comes at a time when the dollar is near par and merchants near the border are hungry for Canadian business. However, Whatcom County Executive Peter Kremen is telling Bellingham radio station KGMI that tax break is premature and flawed.

He's hoping to find a legal argument that can hold water - the fear is the loss of tax revenue from Canadians could really hit them hard. Kremen notes Washington State shoppers won't get any break when they come north - once the new Harmonized Sales Tax is in place July 1st.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/a...les-tax-debate

lol fools; the increase in business would bring more money to locals and the tax break would also attract businesses closer to our border = good for the county

[syee]

^ I bet over 90% of their residents buy stuff from out of state just to get past paying sales tax. If they really want to ramp up sales tax revenue, they should spend more effort going after their own residents first. That's a more consistent source of revenue than the occasional Canadian traveller. It's a big reason why I don't buy from Amazon unless the price can offset the fact I have to pay sales tax.

[CorneringArtist]

Why is only Whatcom County pushing to remove the tax? I personally go to Snohomish County below it to visit family, and there's certainly no word from Seattle which is in King.

Do most RS'ers only go to Bellis Fair?

[misteranswer]

Originally Posted by CorneringArtist

Why is only Whatcom County pushing to remove the tax? I personally go to Snohomish County below it to visit family, and there's certainly no word from Seattle which is in King.

Do most RS'ers only go to Bellis Fair?

A larger portion of the tax revenue is from canadian shoppers. This just shrank their tax base. I think sales tax are their main, and perhaps only, source of tax revenue.

[jerche]

Bad news, they temporarily blocked the tax exemption.

Washington State sales tax deal blocked

A sales tax exemption for B.C. and Ontario residents shopping in Washington State that was scheduled to take effect Thursday has been blocked.

A state judge has put a temporary halt to the planned exemption after applications by lawyers for the city of Bellingham, Washington, and Whatcom County, near the Canadian border south of Vancouver.

The judge's order puts a halt to the exemption throughout the state.

The issue will be back in court July 9 when state officials are expected to argue in favour of the exemption.

State revenue officials announced June 8 that residents of the two provinces would become eligible for a sales tax exemption due to the HST.

Washington state law allows a sales tax exemption to residents of jurisdictions that impose a sales tax of three per cent or less. As the HST in B.C. and Ontario technically eliminates provincial sales taxes, residents of those provinces were to become eligible.

But in Washington State, the 6.5 per cent state sales tax is accompanied by a county sales tax of up to three per cent.

Bellingham and Whatcom County officials said that the state-imposed exemption would cut too deeply into their tax revenues.

Washington State has long been a favourite shopping destination for B.C. residents.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...#ixzz0sOlpC8tL.

[falcon]

since no one has said it yet... the reason we don't pay tax down there know is because there is "technically" no "sales tax" in BC now. HST is not a sales tax. Just like Oregon. Because we don't have a sales tax, we're now exempt from paying sales tax in WA.

[LiquidTurbo]

Originally Posted by chengsterr

Bad news, they temporarily blocked the tax exemption.

Shit. Gordy must have paid Washington a visit and bought some people some drinks recently. Big WTF!

[StylinRed]

bloody whatcom county

[BoySupra604]

I just got back from Bellingham and I picked up a set of Pirelli 355/25/19 from discount tire and they didn't charge me any sales tax. I just paid the taxes at the border and that was it.