Question to my fellow Canadians

[Jabba]

I'm, thinking of buying a tent trailer. If I buy a used one from from a dealership , I will end up pay taxes (PST/GST). If I buy the same trailer privately I don't think I am charged the taxes. Is this true? (I Googled for this but couldn't find anything applicable).

Thanks!

[xar256]

That would be correct...Unless the seller has a PST# he/she can't legally collect PST.  GST is only on new items/services, so it's not applicable anyways.

Xar256

[chopps]

Not totally sure. I think they will collect the taxes when you go to insure it. Just like buying a used car privately.  (well... in BC anyways)

[mmmPeanutButter]

You'll pay the tax when you register it with the ministry of transportation.  You could try to get them to write a low value on the bill of sale, but they also ask for the market value.  They'll tax you on whatever is higher.

That being said, the market value of a tent trailer might be harder to determine than the value of a used car, so you might be in luck.

OR... you could shack up with the daughter of the guy selling it and then when you get the commonlaw marriage status he can give you the car as a "gift" and you don't pay tax.  That's what I did.   

[Jabba]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. You're right, the govt ALWAYS gets their cut. I'll pay the PST when I go to get plates for it. So I ask the chick how much, she says 8% (I'm in Ontario) of the selling price. I ask what if it costs $500.00, she says 8% on $500 then...

Hmmmm, wonder if they would actually check against the black book value.....