A 8 - Wednesday, October 10, 1990 ALTHOUGH NOT yet law, the federal government’s seven per cent goods and services tax (GST) is already being collected from Noi:h Shore residents who pur- chase services that extend into 1991. By Michael Becker News Reporter Scheduled to be fully im- plemented by Jan. 1, 1991, the proposed GST would affix a seven per cent sales tax fo most goods and services. The House of Commons passed Bill C-62, the legislation to implement the GST, on April 10. To become law, the legislative process calls for the bill to be passed by the Senate and receive royal assent. But as of Sept. {, GST tax is payable by consumers buying items that carry over into 1991. The taxable list inchudes such things as domestic and U.S. travel and season — ski passes for local ski hills. Sandy Kollenz, travel supervisor at the West Vancouver BCAA of- fice, said the GST issue has gen- erated a lot of questions from the travelling public. “We've had so many calls on it. Basically it affects domestic and transporter travel — within Canada and the U.S. excluding Hawaii,’ she said. Travellers who paid in full be- fore Sept. & for trips within Canada or to the U.S. managed to avoid the GST. But the tax is factored in and collected on domestic and U-.S.- bound trips booked after Sept. t for travel in 1991. “Our computers aren’t set up for it. But most of the suppliers we are dealing with are advising what the GST might be,"’ Kollenz said. A recent hike in federal depar- ture taxes is adding to public con- fusion over travel costs. Said Kollenz, ‘‘There are some - North Shore News GST kicks in now for 1991 services 44 Our computers aren't set up for it. But most of the suppliers we are dealing with are advising what the GST might be. 99 — BCAA travel supervisor Sandy Kolienz destinations like Mexico and Hawaii where the Canadian and international departure tax has been increased, but it’s not the GST. “They've taken the Canadian departure tax to Hawaii from 319 to $40. It is confusing people. For the areas they (the government) didn’t have the GST effective, they’ve raised the departure tax,” she said. The travel specialist believes business travellers taking trips within Canada and into the Unit- ed States will feel the GST’s seven per cent sting most. But she added, ‘‘The amount of money people are affected by isn't really a big deal. I don’t think it’s going to make people not travel anymore.”* Meanwhile, skiers who bought season passes before Sept. 1 side- stepped the tax. But GST is now included on hill passes bought in 1990 for 1991. 987-0861. _| Options Option” Rules Day: Thursday You Are Invited toa Retirement Income At this Seminar you will learn how to: @Demystify the "RRSP—Retirement ® Maximize Retirement Income @ Minimize the Tax Bite ™ Maximize Capital to Your Estate Please circle this date on your calendar: Date: October 11, 1990 Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Place: PARK ROYAL HOTEL 540 Clyde Avenue West Vancouver, B.C. *PS. There is no fee. However, pre-registration is required. Call Lynne Nickflord at 688-7208 to register. Refreshments aud Door Prize Offered ZLOTNIK, LAMB & COMPANY Annuity and KOREE. Brokers 1200 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC. Voc 2A8 {HMIOSS-7IOS Toll Free Line 1-800-663-3171 Seminar eS PG Ko ota ea Grand p Westview enin eafoo —_ 5 KS Sex ys a" ee $25 aos — Said) Seymour Ski Country marketing manager Chris Carter, “1 don’t think anybody seems to be particularly surprised to find GST on anything. We haven't had any feedback yet. But [im not an- ticipating any huge surprise. The price of our full season passes has gone up very marginaliy. In some instances we've actually held our price.’” The ski hill held a ‘beat the GST sale” before Sept. 1 and is now collecting GST. Fiona Macfarlane, senior com- modity manager at the chartered accounting firm of Ernst & Young, said the delay in tax im- plementation has left vendors in a quandary. “There is no liability to collect the tax now. But they may have a liability to pay it once the legisla- ion comes into effect," Mac- farlane said. The vendor must decide whether to absorb the cost of GST be- tween now and when it becomes law or whether to collect it from \W4 the purchaser. MCA 2 qno— Added Macfarlane, ‘‘They (the GRR a oe See Tax page 9 oh eon 20% ofr 10.° _— A zs shrimp * crab * sole, red Snapper, etc. etc. 10% orr Ws Fresh Sushi + —_ and Dim Sum Grand Opening Specials end Oct. 31 Mon.-Wed. 9:30-6:00 hurs.-Fri. 9:30-9:00 T yes Saturday 9:30-7:00 me Sunday. 11:00-5 983-2878 V4 Westview Shopping Centre_ te -,=, ore, ~O - -. On ae". =< es >, a7, Fas oS "ok: Ss CANADA SAVINGS THEY’RE SAFE, SECURE AND CASHABLE ANYTIME. Once again, it’s time for Canada Savings Bonds and this year the sales period is from October 18 to November 1. Buy your new bonds wherever you bank or invest starting October 18. You may date your payment November 1, the day the new bonds start earning interest. Safe and Secure. Canada Savings Bonds are fully guaranteed by the Government of Canada. They never fall in value. Cashable Anytime. Canada Savings Bonds can be cashed at any time. Your money is always available when you need it. Good Interest. Canada Savings Bonds offer a good, competitive interest rate each year. This year’s interest rate and purchase limit wiil be announced in mid-October. Details will be available wherever Canada Savings Bonds are sold. Don't be late! Remember, November | is the last day you can buy the new bonds at face value. But the bonds may be withdrawn from sale at any time. ON SALE OCT. 18 TO NOV. 1 Canada