Canada - tax fairness for small campgrounds

[HESN22]

I am not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this; if not please let me know ... thank you

This is for Canadians who may not be aware of the 300% tax hike that is about to be levied against family owned campgrounds ...


TAX FAIRNESS FOR SMALL CAMPGROUNDS
Take action today! HELP STOP THE 300% TAX INCREASE THREAT! Stand in support of small campground owners and make your voice heard. Tell Canada's government that you support tax fairness for small campgrounds today on the Canadian Camping & RV Council's "Take Action" page. It's easy and takes only one minute! Enter your name and postal code then click your MP and a letter will be sent on your behalf!

https://www.faircamptax.ca/contact-elected-official

Don't know about anyone else, but a 300% hike on taxes would definitely affect my family and friends' camping experience. Wouldn't help our tourist industry much either; overnight fees would be hiked up too!

[spock123]

How much is the tax now

[DDC]

I can't find anything about a 300% increase on campgrounds, I know there are proposals out there to make changes to some business taxes.

[itat]

This topic could get a bit political so we need to make sure the discussion doesn’t just become government bashing and heated causing this thread to be closed for violation of forum rules.

As far as I know, the federal government is looking at changes to current tax laws and/or changing the interpretation of current tax laws which will take away eligibility for some businesses to claim the small business deduction. There is a lot of speculation and worry out there among campground owners (and other small business owners). While there seems to be a lack of clarity on the part of the government as to what they are going to change, I suspect there is also a lot of unwarranted speculation and rumour mongering by the RV industry if not the campground industry. I also suspect that, as usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Related to this proposed taxation change, I am personally aware of a situation where tax loopholes - or at least a lack of enforcement - allows a single person, sole proprietor business professional to incorporate, fraudulently claim family members as shareholders without requiring any actual investment by those family members and then allow that person to write off fake dividend payments to those “shareholders”. I don’t have sympathy for the loss of that kind of loophole or lack of enforcement, but I definitely sympathize with small “mom and pop” campground owners who actually employ people for seasonal work.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by itat

This topic could get a bit political so we need to make sure the discussion doesn’t just become government bashing and heated causing this thread to be closed for violation of forum rules.

As far as I know, the federal government is looking at changes to current tax laws and/or changing the interpretation of current tax laws which will take away eligibility for some businesses to claim the small business deduction. There is a lot of speculation and worry out there among campground owners (and other small business owners). While there seems to be a lack of clarity on the part of the government as to what they are going to change, I suspect there is also a lot of unwarranted speculation and rumour mongering by the RV industry if not the campground industry. I also suspect that, as usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Related to this proposed taxation change, I am personally aware of a situation where tax loopholes - or at least a lack of enforcement - allows a single person, sole proprietor business professional to incorporate, fraudulently claim family members as shareholders without requiring any actual investment by those family members and then allow that person to write off fake dividend payments to those “shareholders”. I don’t have sympathy for the loss of that kind of loophole or lack of enforcement, but I definitely sympathize with small “mom and pop” campground owners who actually employ people for seasonal work.

The solution to that "loophole" is to vigorously enforce the laws against that practice or write them if they aer not in place.

WHY punish every other honest law abiding campground owner and their all their customers for the lack of legal actions by a few.

If the intent is to stop the cheats, the method is wrongheaded in my opinion.

[D W]

This is a shame. I don't know about Eastern Canada, but the majority of CG's in BC and YT are small family run businesses. Most are only open 3-4 months a year, and they operate on a razor thin margin as it is. Given their location and logistics, their rates have always been higher than the states. In all probability they will be forced to pass these new taxes on to the customer, or close shop.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by D W

In all probability they will be forced to pass these new taxes on to the customer, or close shop.

Im betting the Govt is COUNTING on that!