Collectors Meeting
You are invited to attend the first meeting of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast MRDT collectors in Williams Lake on April 15, 2018 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm – please RSVP to mrdt@landwithoutlimits.com.
This facilitated session will include a review of the 1-year plan and 5-year strategy to realign industries’ priorities in consideration of the 2017 wildfire impacts and market shifts, to review next steps for the collectors and the Marketing Committee, and to determine any outstanding questions.
Please rsvp to mrdt@landwithoutlimits.com for further details.
Implementation Q & A:
Q: When will we get more information?
A: Ministry of Finance will be sending letters to eligible accommodations with the official notification and details on set up and reporting requirements. In the meantime, the PST Bulletin 120 is a great resource.
Q: Will the MRDT be payable on bookings already received for this summer or only on those received after May 1?
A: On page 13 of the PST Bulletin 120 find ‘Area Starts Participating in MRDT Program’ – You must charge MRDT on accommodation if:
payment for the accommodation is due on or after the day the area becomes an MRDT participating area, and
your customer pays for their stay on or after the day the area becomes an MRDT participating area, even if your customer stays before the area becomes an MRDT participating area.
Example: You provide accommodation for your customer from March 27 to April 4. Your area starts participating in the MRDT program April 1. Your customer pays for the entire stay on April 4, when payment is due. You charge MRDT for the entire stay. However, your customer may be eligible for a refund as described under Refunds below.
Q: What can my customers who booked before May 1 but arrive after do?
A: On page 15 of the PST Bulleting 120 find ‘Refund Information’ MRDT Paid in Newly Designated Accommodation Area a purchaser of accommodation may be eligible for a refund of the MRDT paid if, before the area became a designated accommodation area, the purchaser:
received a written confirmation of the reservation,
entered into a written contract for the purchase of the accommodation, or
made a deposit on the purchase.
To qualify for a refund, the purchase of the accommodation must have been for a specified number of days as set out in the confirmation, contract or covered by the deposit. The refund is limited to the MRDT paid on the purchase price of the accommodation for each of the specified number of days of accommodation that are set out in the confirmation, contract or covered by the deposit.”
Q: My OTA won’t amend my tax rate without official government paperwork?
A: The letter arriving from the Ministry of Finance should satisfy all contractual requirements for official government paperwork. In the meantime you can find the Order in Council from government at by clicking here.
Q: Does the MDRT rate have to be shown on the customer bill separately or can we just show just 11% PST?
A: The MRDT tax must be shown on the bill separate from the PST.
Q: Can we pay it just with the PST over internet or do we have to collect the 3% in a different account to pay it somewhere else?
A: According to page 7 of the PST Bulletin 120 an operator must report the PST and MRDT on separate returns; however, they can remit a single payment to cover both returns. For more information on how to pay and report PST & MRDT see the Reporting and Paying tax webpage: which you can visit by clicking here.
Q: What if I have a specific question for my business software?
A: The best place to seek answers to normal business questions not covered by PST Bulletin 120 is to email the CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca or call 1-877-388-4440. They are the dedicated tax information line and can help with all things tax. If emailing, they will generally get back to you within 24 hours.
Q: I heard that MRDT is now going to fund the Provincial government’s social housing goals, is this true?
A: The new legislation around eligible uses of MRDT funds has not been formally written and adopted yet; however, the Province did make announcement in the February budget that they are expanding the allowable use of funds to include affordable housing. See the 30 point plan for Housing in BC (page 27, point 27) by clicking here.
Q: Where can I send my opinion on the changes to MRDT to include social housing?
A: Any feedback can be sent directly to the Minister of Finance (Honorable Carole James) at FIN.Minister@gov.bc.ca and the Minister of Tourism (Honourable Lisa Beare) TAC.Minister@gov.bc.ca.
Marketing Committee
Please watch you inbox for upcoming details on nominating and electing a representative from your area to the new Marketing Committee. Details on process, timing and tools will be provided shortly.
Beyond The Fires Symposium
April 13-15 in Williams Lake the CCCTA will be hosting a gathering of wildfire professionals, support services, and thought leaders in discussing ways to move forward as organizations, sectors and industries. Join us as we feature guest speakers, breakout workshops and discussions on sector development with our new found learnings of life after wildfire. Fill out and return our registration form which is available by clicking here. Early bird registration prices will be available until March 30th, so register today!