The HST Blog : Canada Harmonized Sales Tax Lawyer Cyndee Todgham Cherniak for Assessments, PST & RST Issues in Ontario, British Columbia & Quebec

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Some businesses in Ontario and British Columbia have a promotional opportunity.  Businesses that sell goods and/or services may advertise that if payment in full is received before May 1, 2010 for goods and/or services to be delivered after July 1, 2010, HST will not be payable.  Few customers/clients may be aware of this opportunity to take advantage of the Ontario transition rules and British Columbia transition rules.  Please refer to the HST Library for more government publications on the transition rules.

April 16 - 30, 2010 presents an opportunity to place an ad on your web-site, post a promotional sign in your store window, change your voice mail greeting, or place more traditional advertising.  For example, a hair stylist or massage therapist may offer coupons for services to be delivered after July 1, 2010.  If the client pays in full for the book of coupons before May 1, 2010, then the service provider will not be required to charge, collect and remit HST (even when the pre-paid coupon is used).  Another example is that a buyer of custom furniture may pay for the furniture in full before May 1, 2010 and will not have to pay HST if the custom furniture is delivered after July 1, 2010.

There is a risk for the buyer of non-delivery of goods and/or non-performance of services.  Buyers will have to weigh the credibility of the supplier against their desire to save the HST.  However, if my hair stylist were to present this opportunity to me and I have been going to Jie Matar for years, I would feel comfortable parting with my money.  Each consumer will have to assess their comfort with pre-payment.

NOTE: Prepayment is different than a deposit.  A deposit that can be returned (such as a lawyer's retainer) may not satisfy the payment prior to May 1, 2010 transition rule requirement.  If the deposit is held in trust and is not applied to an invoice for delivery or performance before July 1, 2010, the CRA auditors may expect HST.  The CRA has administrative positions relating to deposits that are based on provisions in the Excise Tax Act.  In other words, use of the word "deposit" may be problematic in an audit.  The payment must be a pre-payment or consideration for the goods and/or services.

If a business takes advantage of the transition rules, they must keep detailed records.  An auditor may show up to conduct an audit in 3 years and will ask why HST was not collected on the deliveries (services performed) that occurred after July 1, 2010.  The business will have to provide evidence of the payment before May 1, 2010 (an auditor will not rely on a statement).  It will be important to enter the receipts of money into the business records (e.g., general ledger accounts for April 2010) as soon as possible and preferably in April 2010.  Frequent trips to the bank in April 2010 is highly recommended so that you can prove the deposits - you must have received the money from the customer or client if you deposited the money in the bank.  The purchase of a "PAID" stamp from the office supplies store would be helpful (but may not be considered definitive proof because the stamp could be used in May, June, July) -- a stamp on each paid invoice along with the date of payment would be evidence if matched with other documents (such as photocopied cheques, bank statements, credit card receipts, etc.).  Scanning documents into computerized records that will show an April 2010 saved date may be useful.

I would like to note that auditors can be difficult and not accept documentary evidence.  lawyers and courts like documentary evidence. A real attempt to keep accurate records may satisfy due diligence defense requirements even if the record-keeping is not perfect.