Basic outline of how HST applies to Toronto residential real estate. Good reading for a general interpretation and understanding of this tax.

1. :: TorontoMLS | Your Information Centre :: Page 1 of 2
HST Transition Rules
October 21, 2009 -- The provincial government has provided rules/guidance on how it will
transition to the implementation of the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax.
Details are provided below, including links to common questions and answers, background
information, and ongoing updates on REALTORLink. Members are encouraged to review this
information. If, after reviewing this information, you require more detail, you can contact:
- The provincial government HST enquiry line at 1-800-337-7222
- The Canada Revenue Agency GST/HST enquiry line at 1-800-959-8287
- TREB staff at 416-443-8000 ext. 8043 or mritacca@trebnet.com
Background
The provincial government has announced that it intends to combine the eight percent
Provincial Sales Tax with the five percent federal Goods and Services Tax, creating a 13
percent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
• The HST is NOT YET IN EFFECT. The provincial government has indicated that it
intends to bring the HST into effect beginning on July 1, 2010; however, note transition
rules below.
• HST will not apply on the purchase price of re-sale homes.
• HST would apply to services such as moving cost, legal fees, home inspection fees,
and REALTOR® commissions.
• HST will apply to the purchase price of newly constructed homes. However, the
Province is proposing a rebate so that new homes across all price ranges would
receive a 75 per cent rebate of the provincial portion of the single sales tax on the first
$400,000. For new homes under $400,000, this would mean, on average, no
additional tax amount compared to the current system.
• Click here for more background information on how the HST will affect REALTORS®.
• Click here for some common questions and answers.
• Visit REALTORlink for on-going updates, provided by CREA. To access, log in to
www.REALTORLink.ca , using your TorontoMLS log-in information, then select
“Toronto”. CREA’s HST updates are provided in the sidebar titled “HST Update”.
Transitional Rules for New Housing
• Generally, sales of new homes under written agreements of purchase and sale
entered into on or before June 18, 2009 would not be subject to the provincial portion
of the single sales tax, even if both ownership and possession are transferred on or
after July 1, 2010.
• The tax would also not apply to sales of new homes under written agreements of
purchase and sale entered into after June 18, 2009 where ownership or possession is
transferred before July 1, 2010.
Additional Transitional Rules
• Where services straddle the HST implementation date of July 1, 2010, the tax charged
for the service may have to be split between the pre-July 2010 and post-June 2010
periods. However, the HST will generally not apply to a service if all or substantially all
(90% or more) of the service is performed before July 2010.
• Four key timelines are important (see below). All are based on the earlier of the time
the consideration is either due (In general, an amount is due on the date of the invoice
or the day required to be paid pursuant to a written agreement), or is paid without
having become due. If consideration is due or paid,
http://communications3.torontomls.net/newstand/news/2009/mn0910/HST_transition_rul... 30/03/2010

2. :: TorontoMLS | Your Information Centre :: Page 2 of 2
◦ Before October 15, 2009, HST will generally not apply (however, see above
transition rules for new housing).
◦ From October 15, 2009 to April 30, 2010, certain business that are not entitled
to recover all of their GST/HST paid as input tax credit may be required to self-
assess the provincial component of the HST with respect to goods or services
supplied after June 30, 2010.
◦ From May 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010, HST will generally apply for services
supplied after June 30, 2010.
◦ After June 30, 2010, HST will generally apply. An exception to this rule would
be where ownership of the property is transferred before July 2010 or the
invoice relates to services provided before July 2010.
• With regard to the lease or license of goods, including non-residential real property,
HST will generally apply to lease intervals or payment periods on or after July 1, 2010
and the general rules noted above will apply. However, where a lease interval begins
before July 2010 and ends before July 31, 2010, it is not subject to HST.
• With regard to the sale of non-residential property, HST is due where both possession
and ownership of non-residential property occurs on or after July 1, 2010.
More Detail
Additional detail on the transition rules is available at the provincial government web site here
or by calling the provincial government enquiry line at 1-800-337-7222.
http://communications3.torontomls.net/newstand/news/2009/mn0910/HST_transition_rul... 30/03/2010