GWA Business Solutions HST and Your Business 2009 Ontario Harmonization Update Are your clients ready for the OHST?

Outline Background to the Ontario HST Planning for the OHST Transition to the OHST -Sale of TPP -Services -Leases -Memberships -Real Property OHST and the Residential Housing Industry MUSH Sector and the OHST

Background to the OHST Setting the Landscape Limited guidance issued so far No legislation has been issued Relying on budget comments and some pronouncements Presentation is based on speculation

Background to the OHST Overview Effective July 1, 2010 Rate of 8% for the OHST and 5% for the GST Parallels the GST HST is a value-added tax rather than the Ontario Retail Sales Tax (ORST) which is a consumption tax Elimination of the Ontario Retail Sales Tax

Background to the OHST Overview Part of Ontarios Comprehensive Tax Package Simultaneous decrease in rate of income tax for individuals, small businesses and corporations Intended to attract investment and employment to Ontario

Background to the OHST Benefits of Replacing ORST with OHST Simpler compliance -Deal with only one government tax authority -One potential compliance audit ORST is subject to interpretation -Results in many judgment calls made by auditors -Limited legislative guidance Will eliminate embedded ORST previously absorbed by persons engaged exclusively in commercial activities as OHST recoverable as ITCs

Costs of Replacing ORST with OHST Additional tax to consumers Expenditures not currently subject to ORST: -i.e. professional fees, commercial rents, real property purchases Additional tax on entities not exclusively engaged in commercial activities (i.e. Exempt supplies) -Health Care services -Financial institutions Cash flow impact -Like the GST, OHST will be remitted when billed, not when collected -Purchases taxed at 13% Background to the OHST

Accounting Issues Systems implementation to provide for OHST and elimination of Ontario RST Tracking ITCs is important again -Tracking potential restricted ITCs -On which expenses can you claim an ITC? (i.e. municipalities, charities, etc.) -How to implement? -Required system changes

Background to the OHST ITC Restrictions Apply to: Financial institutions Large Businesses -TAXABLE sales over $10,000,000 annually -On an associated basis Recovery of ITCs on OHST paid restricted as follows: -First 5 years -After first 5 years, phased in over next 3 years

Background to the OHST ITC Restrictions on OHST Paid Restricted purchases: Energy (except for energy used for farming or for production of goods for sale) Telecommunications services other than internet access or toll free numbers Road vehicles less than 3000 kilograms and related fuel, parts and certain services Food, beverages and entertainment

Background to the OHST Point of Sale Rebates Tax Relief from the OHST portion for: -Books (including audio books) -Childrens clothing and footwear -Car seats and car booster seats -Diapers -Feminine hygiene products -Meals under $4.00

Planning for the OHST Planning Opportunities Accelerate purchases before July 1, 2010 with no ORST but Ontario HST -Most services (subject to transitional rules) -Where full recovery of OHST is not available Delay purchases that have ORST charged -ORST is an additional unrecoverable cost -HST may be eligible for a rebate or ITC -Lease now; buy later? (contract structuring)

Planning for the OHST OHST Planning Opportunities Contracts extending beyond July 1, Consider OHST implications Prepayment of taxable items -example: Golf fees for Important when no full recovery of OHST -Works for consumers

Planning for the OHST OHST Planning Opportunities May voluntarily register for GST if small supplier Input tax credits may become available in respect of the taxable supplies OHST will be a 13% cost

Planning for the OHST OHST Risk Areas 13% risk if GST/HST is not collected Entities that dont usually collect GST -Charities -Non-profits -Doctors -Financial institutions -Self employed

Planning for the OHST HST Impact Analysis HST Implementation Strategy Staff Training Post-Implementation Review

Transition to the OHST Introduction Dealing with transactions that straddle the July 1, 2010 implementation date When do we charge ORST? When do we charge the OHST? Ontario Information Notice issued on October 14, 2009 provides general guidance

Sale of TPP Rules When is GST Payable? Earlier of when the consideration for the supply: Becomes due; or Is paid without becoming due. Subject to special over-ride rules Difference between a deposit and the payment of the consideration

Sale of TPP OHST General Rule – Starting on May 1, 2010 For transactions that straddle the July 1, 2010 date – Charge OHST starting on May 1, 2010 – Some exceptions depending on nature of supply require earlier OHST billing – See lifetime memberships and construction progress billings

Sale of TPP Example 1 Sale of TV occurs in April 2010 Purchased for $25,000 for his personal use Pays for the TV in full at the time of purchase TV gets delivered and ownership transfers on July 15, 2010

Sale of TPP Result TV was paid in full April 2010 (before May 1, 2010) GST is triggered in April Earlier of when consideration becomes due, or -when paid without becoming due Therefore, no requirement to collect OHST

Sale of TPP General Rule for ORST ORST will generally cease to apply -to a sale of goods where the goods are delivered and ownership of goods are transferred after July 1, 2010

Sale of TPP ORST Overriding Rules ORST continues to apply on pre October 15, 2009 transactions -where consideration becomes due or is paid on or before October 14, 2009 Example: sale of tickets in September 2009 for an event that takes place in July 2010

Sale of TPP ORST Overriding Rules After October 14, 2009 and before May Where consideration becomes due or is paid within these dates -ORST should be collected on July 1, 2010 straddle transactions No ORST required to be collected if: -Self assessment of OHST by purchaser, or -Exclusively in commercial activities

Sale of TPP Self Assessment of the OHST Transactions after October 14, 2009 and before May 2010 Who is required to self assess Ontario component of OHST? -Excludes consumers -Businesses not exclusively in commercial activities -Businesses subject to ITC restrictions -Using simplified procedures (i.e. charities, quick method) -Selected listed financial institutions Remit self assessed OHST earlier of the GST return for July 1,2010 transactions or on prescribed form before November 1, 2010.

Sale of TPP ORST Overriding Rules Practical problem How does the vendor know if purchaser is required to self assess or is exclusively in a commercial activity? Opportunity ORST paid in error by the purchaser -On July 1, 2010 straddle transactions where ORST collected

Sale of TPP Example 2 Registered charity buys the TV in April 2010 Delivered in July 2010 Ownership transfers in July 2010

Sale of TPP Result Self assess the Ontario component of OHST on the purchase of the TV, earlier of -GST return that includes July 1, 2010, or -before November 2010 on prescribed form Claim 50% rebate of GST; Claim 82% rebate of provincial component of OHST If ORST is paid, refund opportunity

Sale of Services General Rules Starting May 1, 2010 need to collect OHST on transactions that straddle July 1, 2010 OHST applies to services provided after July 1, 2010

Sale of Services Example Lawn maintenance package purchased on April 15, 2010 Service covers period from June 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010 Does OHST need to be collected?

Sale of Services Result No OHST is collected since the service is paid for before May 1, 2010 However, self assessment required on cost of maintenance package that relates to post July 1, 2010 period

Sale of Services Rules No OHST to be charged on: -A supply of a service that is 90% performed before July 1, Billings will require adjustments to correctly apply tax to pre and post OHST services

Sale of Services Example Issues an invoice on August 15, 2010, for $1,000 Maintenance period from June 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 Does OHST need to be collected?

Sale of Services Result Consideration becomes due on August 15, Date of invoice OHST and GST charged for period July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 ($ x 13% = $25.71) GST charged for the month of June, 2010 ($ x 5% = $7.14) $32.85 remitted in return covering August 15, 2010

Sale of Leases Rules OHST would generally apply to a supply of property by way of lease, licence or similar arrangement for the part of a lease interval that occurs on or after July 1, The OHST would not, however, apply to a supply of property by way of lease, licence or similar arrangement if the lease interval begins before July 2010 and ends before July 31, 2010.

Sale of Leases Example 2008 lease -5 years -Lease interval May 1, 2010 to October 31, 2010 Payment due March 31, 2010 Recipient uses the Quick Method Does OHST apply? Does ORST apply?

Sale of Leases Result Each lease payment is a separate supply No grandfathered leases No OHST to be collected since payment due before May 1, GST would be due on March invoice Purchaser needs to self assess 8% portion of OHST on post July 1, 2010 period since on the Quick Method ORST applies for the pre July 1, 2010 period If ORST is paid on entire lease interval, eligible for rebate for post July 1, 2010 period

Sale of Memberships Rules A supply of a membership in a club, organization or association deemed to be a supply of a service for purposes of the transitional rules. OHST is payable with respect to the period after July 1, 2010

Sale of Memberships Example Golf Membership for 2010 Membership to be billed in 3 equal installments $1,000 each on January 1, May 1 and September 1 Does the OHST apply?

Sale of Memberships Result Considered to be a service OHST to be collected on fees that become due or paid after April 2010 but relate to post July 1, 2010 period (May and September) First payment not subject to OHST No self assessment on fees required since OHST paid on post July 1, 2010 period OHST to be collected on ½ of the May invoice (July and August portion)

Sale of Memberships Rules: Lifetime Memberships After October 14, 2009 and before July The first 25% of the membership is not subject to OHST -OHST collected on the remainder

Sale of Memberships Example: Lifetime Memberships $40,000 total cost of membership $20,000 due on March 1, 2010 $20,000 due on September 1, 2010 How much GST/HST is due? When is the tax due?

Sale of Memberships Result: Lifetime Memberships Payment due after October 14, 2009, and before July 1, 2010 March 1, 2010 billing is 50% of lifetime membership fee -Must collect OHST on portion of fee exceeding 25% of total lifetime membership or $10,000 of March 1, 2010 billing

Sale of Memberships Result: Lifetime Memberships Must collect GST on first 25% of membership fee ($10,000) of March 1, 2010 billing GST = 5% of $20,000 ($1,000) must be reported in March return Ontario component of OHST must be collected on amount in excess of 25% of membership fee ($10,000 x.08 = $800), and must be reported in July return OHST must be collected on September 1, 2010 billing ($20,000 x.13% = $2,600) and reported in September return.

Real Property Rules Determining when GST is payable GST is generally payable when consideration is paid or becomes due Override rule for real property construction services* -GST is deemed to become due on any consideration that has not been paid or invoiced on the last day of the month following the month in which substantial completion is reached. * Applies to construction, renovation, alteration or repair of real property

Real Property Rules: OHST and Real Property contracts OHST applies if the payment is attributable to property delivered or services performed after July 1, 2010 OHST applies to amounts due or paid without becoming due after October 14, 2009 and before July 1, Exception to the May 1, 2010 rule -i.e. OHST applies to April 2010 progress billing if attributable to property delivered or services performed after July 1, 2010 If OHST applies to pre July 1, 2010 billing it is reported on GST/HST return that includes July 1, 2010 and before November 2010 Does not apply to sale of residential property

Real Property Example Building is substantially completed on May 2, 2010 Contract is for $1,500,000 with the following billings: -$500,000 due on March 31, $500,000 due on May 15, $500,000 less $150,000 holdback is due on August 15, $150,000 holdback is due on September 1, 2010 First two payments attributable to property and services delivered prior to July 1, % of last two payments attributable to post July 1, 2010

Real Property Result Substantial completion occurs on May 2, 2010 GST owing on the $350,000 payment ($17,500) due August 15, 2010 needs to be remitted by June 30, 2010 GST does not apply to the $150,000 holdback -GST on holdback is due September 15, 2010

Real Property Result March 31, 2010 and May 15, 2010 billings 100% attributable to property delivered and services performed before July 1, 2010 No OHST would be collected on these payments, only GST

Real Property Result August 15, 2010 Payment of $350,000 $150,000 related to holdback not due until Sept 15, % of $350,000 attributable to property delivered and services performed after July 1, 2010 OHST of 8% of 70% times $350,000 or $19,600 For OHST, substantial completion is deemed to be June 1, 2010 (not May 2, 2010) OHST due July 31, 2010 because of the substantial completion rule

Real Property Result $150,000 Holdback on September 15, % attributable to property delivered or services rendered after July 1, 2010 OHST of 8% of 70% times $150,000 or $8,400 Reported on September 2010 GST Return GST of $7,500 is also reported on September return

Residential Housing General Rules Agreements prior to June 18, 2009: Grandparented Transactions -No OHST is collected -Builder has taxpayer transitional adjustment based on % completion as of June 30, 2010 Post June 18, 2009 Agreements -OHST applies -Is entitled to a transitional ORST rebate

Residential Housing Rules: Grandparented Purchases Impact on Builder No OHST to be collected on the sale Need to pay a transitional tax on homes not 90% complete by July 1, 2010 Approximates the ORST savings to the builder on post July 1, 2010 expenditures Transitional tax applies to sales of a condominium complex or residential condominium units regardless of % of completion of units

Residential Housing Rules: Grandparented Purchases Impact on Builder Transitional tax adjustment (TRA) is based on the total purchase price of the home TRA is based on the percentage completed as of July 1, 2010 For example, if the home is less than 10% complete, the TRA is equal to 2% multiplied by the total purchase price TRA % on declining degree of completion -1.5% if more than 10% but less than 25% -1.0% if equal to or more than 25% but less than 50% -.5% if equal to or more than 50% but less than 75% -.2% if equal to or more than 75% but less than 90% - 0% if equal to or more than 90% complete

Residential Housing Example: Grandparented purchase Agreement date is June 1, 2009 Ownership and possession to be transferred in August 2010 $300,000 home Does OHST apply?

Residential Housing Result Agreement on or before June 18, 2009 Would be eligible for the 36% rebate of the GST paid provided all conditions are met No housing rebate for the OHST since no OHST was paid on the purchase

Residential Housing Rules: Post June 18, 2009 Agreements Eligible for new housing rebates (GST and Ontario component of OHST) Maximum rebate for Ontario component is $24,000 on a $400,000 home Unlike the GST rebate, not phased out for homes costing more than $450,000 Calculated as 75% of the Ontario component of the OHST paid

Residential Housing Rules: Agreements subject to OHST Transitional ORST Rebate Calculation Based on the percentage completed on July 1, 2010 Paid to purchaser Two methods to determine ORST content: – ORST content based prescribed rate per square metre of floor space – ORST content based on 2% of selling price

Residential Housing Rules: Agreements subject to OHST Transitional ORST Rebate Calculation Based on the estimated ORST contentBased on the estimated ORST content Increasing scale based on percent complete as of July 1, 2010Increasing scale based on percent complete as of July 1, % if less than 10% complete -25% if equal to or more than 10% but less than 25% -50% if equal to or more than 25% but less than 50% -75% if equal to or more than 50% but less than 75% -90% if equal to or more than 75% but less than 90% -100% if equal to or more than 90% complete

Residential Housing Rules: Post June 18, 2009 Agreement Transitional ORST Rebate Timeframes If using the floor space method rebate must be filed after June, 2010 and before July 1, If using the selling price method rebate cannot be filed earlier than when OHST payable or when TRA would be considered collected and before July 1, 2014.

Residential Housing Rules: Agreements subject to OHST Transitional ORST Rebate Calculation For new condos, apartments and residential housing units Rebate available to the builder rather than the purchaser Rebate would be available where transitional tax adjustment or single sales tax would apply Rebate would also be available for qualifying new additions to traditional apartment buildings

Residential Housing Example 2: Post June 18, 2009 Agreements Agreement entered into on October 15, 2009 Ownership and possession to transfer after July 1, 2010 $300,000 purchase price Does OHST apply?

Residential Housing Result Written agreement of purchase and sale entered into after June 18, 2009, and both ownership and possession of the house transfer to the purchaser after June, 2010 OHST and GST at 13% would apply to the sale If construction of house at least 10% complete on July 1, 2010, purchaser entitled to claim new housing rebate Purchaser may also be entitled to claim Ontario new housing rebate in respect of the Ontario part of the OHST

Residential Housing Result Cost of home is $300,000 OHST/GST of $39,000 payable on home ($24,000 Ontario component; $15,000 GST) New housing rebate is 75% of the Ontario OHST or $18,000 -Net provincial tax is $6,000 -Equal to estimated 2% of the ORST embedded in a new home before phase out Amounts greater than $400,000 will have 6% more tax (i.e. 8% OHST – 2% ORST previously embedded)

Residential Housing Result Since sale is subject to OHST, no ORST should be embedded in the builders cost Purchaser may be eligible for an ORST refund based on the estimated ORST content Percentage of completion of home will determine the amount, if any, of the rebate Rebate can be claimed through the builder or from CRA with builder certification of the percent complete

MUSH Sector OHST Municipalities, Universities, Colleges, School Boards, Hospitals, Charities, Qualifying Non-Profit Organizations Benefits / potential costs? Each entity should review carefully implications of OHST in upcoming budgets

MUSH Sector OHST Public service bodies presently recover GST as a percentage of GST paid Public service bodies will also be able to claim rebates on provincial OHST portion Entities in the MUSH sector will need to track federal portion and provincial portion separately to calculate rebates

MUSH Sector OHST Sector Rebate Table GSTOHST Municipalities Universities/Colleges School Boards Hospitals Charities, Qualifying Non-Profit Organizations 100% 67% 68% 83% 50% 78% 93% 87% 82%

QUESTIONS?