Taxes

Sales Taxes

Most goods and services including hotel rooms in British Columbia are subject to a 12% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) with the exception of liquor (10%).

In Vancouver and most major cities in BC, there is an additional 2% hotel room tax on top of the 12% HST. Some hotels also collect a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) of 1.5% for the purposes of destination marketing and promotion. Total taxes and DMF for Vancouver hotel rooms are 15.74% of the room rate.

Go to www.gov.bc.ca/hst  or www.vandha.ca  for more information.

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Exemptions for Foreign Conventions

Recognizing the importance of meetings and conventions, the Canadian government has made available a rebate program on a range of goods and services purchased by the non-resident "convention" sponsor or organizer.

A "foreign" convention, comprised of 75% non-Canadian attendees is eligible for rebates on the following:

• Foreign conventions can claim 100% of the HST back on almost all your meeting related expenses. Room rentals, staffing, audio visual, décor, printing, signage, transportation, security, etc.
• Foreign conventions can claim 50% of the HST back on group catered food and beverage services