Claiming a Refund on Ontario Retail Sales Tax

Churches can claim a refund on Ontario Retail Sales Tax paid on certain items. This refund may be substantial, because it can be claimed on some large-scale expenditures, such as capital work on the Church building, and can be claimed for expenses incurred up to 4 years ago.

Here are links to the government forms and guidelines:

Refund Form
Retail Sales Tax Guide 700
RST Guide 806 (the full range of what can be claimed)

There are 'Tax Consultants’ who will come to your Church and, working with your Treasurer and financial records, complete the necessary forms and make the application on your behalf. Generally, they charge a percentage of the refund. A large number of these are listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Tax Consultants.’

Erindale and St. John’s have used:

Canadian Sales Tax Consultants Ltd.
Contact: Connie McGurr
5 Kenneth Ave. Suite 1104
North York ON M2N 6M7
Phone: (416) 512-8828
Fax: (416) 512-1473

This listing does not imply the endorsement of Halton Presbytery. Other consultants will provide similar service.

Prepared by Rev. Neil Young, Erindale United Church