Harper Government Announces Improvements to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program
(firmenpresse) - SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND -- (Marketwire) -- 05/04/12 -- Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, today announced administrative improvements to the as part of the Harper Government's commitment to . These changes will further secure Canada's place as a destination of choice for group travel.
"Canada's Federal Tourism Strategy sets out a new approach to strengthening Canada's tourism sector, so that the tourism industry can continue to make a significant contribution to creating jobs and growth," said Minister Shea.
The FCTIP provides Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) rebates on certain property and services used during conventions held in Canada, and on the accommodation portion of tour packages for non-residents. The administrative improvements announced today respond to requests from the tourism industry by launching a GST/HST rulings service to inform tour operators in advance about whether their tour packages will be eligible for a rebate; streamlining the processing of FCTIP rebate claims; creating and distributing a multilingual information pamphlet on the program; and making information on the FCTIP easier to find on the CRA website.
"In making it easier for tour operators to get their rebates, the improvements to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program will help generate sales for our members," said Mr. Anthony Pollard, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada. "We have a shared interest with the Government of Canada in ensuring that the program acts as an incentive in bringing visitors to Canada."
"We are pleased that the Canada Revenue Agency is working with the tourism industry to improve the effectiveness of the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program," said David Goldstein, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. "The administrative changes to the FCTIP are positive steps that will make this program work better for international tour operators and tourism businesses in Canada."
For more information about Canada's Federal Tourism Strategy, go to .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
National Revenue Minister Gail Shea announced improvements to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program. The program provides GST/HST rebates on certain property and services used in the course of conventions held in Canada, and on the accommodation portion of tour packages for non-residents.
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BACKGROUNDER
Improvements to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is making administrative improvements to the under . These improvements build on the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthen the Canadian tourism sector and support job growth so that this industry can continue to make a significant contribution to the Canadian economy.
These improvements include:
Improvements to the FCTIP
1. GST/HST rulings service for tour operators
The CRA is launching a GST/HST rulings service for tour operators to help eliminate any uncertainty some tour operators may have in determining whether their tours comply with the FCTIP. Specifically, the CRA will provide rulings on whether a tour operator's tour is an eligible tour package under the FCTIP.
Although it is not a requirement under the FCTIP that tour operators request a ruling on the eligibility of their tour packages, this service is being implemented by the CRA as a means to help tour operators comply voluntarily with their obligations and to receive their rebates under the program.
To make this process easier for tour operators, the CRA is providing a checklist that tour operators should use to request a ruling on whether a tour is an eligible tour package for purposes of the FCTIP. Please refer to GST/HST Notice 273, , for more information.
2. Streamlining the processing of FCTIP rebate claims
The CRA is reducing the paper burden and mailing costs for tour operators by streamlining the processing of rebate claims under the FCTIP. This will reduce the CRA's processing time and result in tour operators receiving their FCTIP rebate cheques faster.
For example, the CRA is piloting different ways tour operators can submit their information to the CRA, including accepting PDF files on discs.
In cases where a tour operator is having problems filing a FCTIP rebate claim, the CRA will contact the tour operator and explain how to properly file a claim. This will reduce the CRA's processing time for subsequent FCTIP rebate claims received from the tour operator.
3. Creating and distributing a multilingual pamphlet for tour operators
The CRA is raising awareness about the FCTIP by creating and distributing a multilingual pamphlet RC350, The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program, for tour operators providing basic information about the FCTIP in eight different languages. The pamphlet will be published in English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish, representing the top inbound tourism markets to Canada. The pamphlet will be available online and will include information about the types of rebates available to tour operators under the FCTIP.
4. Making information on the FCTIP easier to find
Some tour operators have found it difficult to find information about the FCTIP on the CRA's Web site. In response to these concerns, the CRA has revised its Web site and improved its search results, so that program information is more easily accessible.
In addition, the CRA is amending its booklet RC4160, , to provide clearer and more concise information about the FCTIP.
For more information about FCTIP, visit or call 1-800-959-5525.
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link:
Contacts:
Noel Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184
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Datum: 04.05.2012 - 12:13 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 1110894
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