Staff Post
By Jerry Smith

Have you ever cursed sales tax calculations, or even worried whether a calculation mattered? Have you ever played sales tax roulette – called the help desk at CRA multiple times with the same question until you got an answer you liked?

First, whatever anyone tells you over the phone is – just an opinion! This was confirmed recently when Young Associates hosted two guests from the Canada Revenue Agency GST/HST Rulings Directorate.

If you want a definitive answer, you need a ruling – an official answer that is binding on the CRA, and that responds to the specifics of your situation.

To get a ruling, submit your query in writing. Follow up to determine when it is assigned to an officer. Follow through with the officer; anything they say on the phone as guidance is solid . . . but wait until you get it in writing. Then it is a ruling.

P.S. While the CRA search engine is thorough and massively detailed, don’t be afraid to try user-friendly Google searches, or speak to any officer at the Rulings Hotline, 1-800-959-8287.