[BCMA MBEN] Impact of HST on Museums, Art Galleries, Historic Sites?

[Jim Harding]

Hello Members & Subscribers;

With the Province's recent announcement of a blended GST/PST into a 
harmonized sales tax (HST) in July 2010, meetings of cultural & heritage 
sector representatives, tourism industry representatives and Ministers Kevin 
Krueger and tomorrow, Finance Minister Colin Hansen, are now underway 
to understand the far-reaching implications and adverse affects of the 
operation of BC's cultural institutions and associations.

In the words of COTA (Council of Tourism Association), of which the BCMA 
is a member on behalf of the Heritage tourism Alliance of BC, "We need to 
get in high gear."

So we are initiating this listserv discussion for YOU to express how the 
introduction of the blended HST will either affect (or benefit?) your 
institution? Do you know yet?

Will it have any affect at all (increase operating costs?) What new taxation 
on products and services will your institution now incur? How will it affect 
GST reporting and rebates? How will it affect visitors' out-of-country 
rebates? Will you pass on increased operating costs to admission prices?

Has your operation had time to consider this change, or how you will 
implement changes in collecting and reporting?  

BCMA-L listserv also has out-of-province subscribers. Some provinces 
already have a blended HST. What changes did you experience? What 
warnings do you have, (ie. items not previously taxed that now may be 
under the HST)?

Please post your comments and questions. These will be carried forward 
through the forthcoming meetings with the Province.
Thank you,
--Jim
_______________________________
Jim Harding, ED
BC Museums Association
(250) 356-5694