TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

Canada Revenue Agency: Are You HST Ready?

Be HST ready: Resources for businesses

The Governments of Ontario and British Columbia will each implement a harmonized sales tax (HST) that will come into effect on July 1, 2010 and will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Canada Revenue Agency is taking steps to ensure that businesses get the information they need to transition to the federal administration of the HST.

If you are registered for GST, you may have received an insert in your last GST/HST return. It provided general information related to harmonization and highlighted the CRA's "Are you HST Ready?" page. This is the place to visit for detailed information about the transition to HST and how it will affect your business.

From the page above, you can access links to a number of other helpful resources that are all designed to help you seamlessly transition to the HST. Some of these resources are:

- in-person information seminars — sign up to attend a CRA "Transition to HST" seminar  (new dates and locations posted regularly);
- video series — topics include an overview on the HST, more detailed  information on the transitional rules for goods and services;
- information sheets and technical notices — a library of  information is located on the "HST Publications" page.