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Courses/Tax/Tax Planning & Compliance *

Navigating HST & GST in Housing Construction

Understanding Tax Implications and Compliance in Real Estate Development

Created byDavid Crawford
4.6
(44 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Feb 9, 2024
Navigating HST & GST in Housing Construction

What You'll Learn

check_circleUnderstand the Role of GST/HST in Housing Construction: Grasp the fundamental concepts of GST and HST as they pertain to housing construction in Canada, including the rates applicable in different provinces and the government's relief measures.
check_circleNavigate Property Ownership Structures: Identify and differentiate between various property ownership structures in real estate, such as joint ventures, partnerships, and co-ownership, and understand their respective HST implications.
check_circleComprehend Joint Ventures and Partnerships: Gain in-depth knowledge about the nuances of joint ventures and partnerships in real estate development, including their tax registration requirements, operational management, and HST reporting.
check_circleAddress Compliance and Disclosure: Learn about the challenges and best practices in compliance, voluntary disclosure to the CRA, and the mitigation of tax compliance risks in the context of HST and GST.
check_circleHandle Complex Situations: Tackle complex scenarios such as the conversion of office buildings into apartments, redevelopment of crown land, and the intricacies of mixed-use buildings, focusing on tax considerations and HST outcomes.
check_circleStay Informed on Legislation and Policy Changes: Keep abreast of the evolving nature of GST and HST regulations, ensuring up-to-date knowledge for accurate advice and decision-making in the housing construction sector.

About This Course

This comprehensive course is tailored for accountants specializing in the real estate construction sector in Canada. It offers an in-depth exploration of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) implications on housing construction projects. The course material delves into the multifaceted landscape of housing construction in Canada, addressing the pressing need for new homes due to population growth and the high cost of living in densely populated areas. Participants will gain valuable insights into the specific GST and HST costs across provinces, the federal government's financial relief measures, and the critical understanding of property ownership structures, particularly in joint ventures and partnerships in real estate development.

Key Topics Discussed:

Overview of HST and GST in Canadian Housing Construction

  • Importance of housing construction in Canada's economy.
  • Provincial variations in GST/HST rates.
  • Federal relief measures for new construction projects.

Property Ownership Structures and Tax Implications

  • Differentiating property ownership structures: joint ventures, partnerships, and co-ownership.
  • HST issues related to real property joint ventures.
  • GST considerations for home builders and property developers.

Joint Ventures in Real Estate Development

  • HST registration and operational management for joint ventures.
  • The role and responsibilities of an operator in joint ventures.
  • Challenges and compliance in joint venture agreements.

Conversion and Redevelopment Projects

  • Conversion of office buildings into apartment complexes.
  • Redevelopment of crown land and its HST challenges.
  • Tax considerations and compliance for conversions and redevelopments.

Compliance, Auditing, and Voluntary Disclosures

  • Processing times and challenges of voluntary disclosures to the CRA.
  • The importance of compliance and potential risks in joint ventures.
  • Strategies to handle tax compliance and voluntary disclosure proactively.

Tax Considerations in Partnerships and Trusts

  • HST implications in real estate investment trusts and partnerships.
  • Land ownership and tax considerations in business partnerships.
  • Tax compliance and partnership structures in real estate development.

Challenges in Land Purchase and Business Structures

  • Complexities in land purchase, repurposing, and urban boundary expansion.
  • Tax considerations and compliance risks in home building across provinces.
  • Partnership structures, tax considerations, and dealing with municipalities.

GST/HST in Rental and Multi-Use Buildings

  • Transition from building to rental: HST and tax implications.
  • Multi-use building repurposing and its tax outcomes.
  • HST exemptions, deposit policies, and tax considerations for mixed-use buildings.

Operational Aspects and Compliance in Joint Ventures

  • Understanding the operations and challenges of joint ventures.
  • Tax considerations in handling trades and reporting in joint ventures.

Your Instructors

David Crawford
David Crawford
menu_book3 courses
star147 reviews

For the last 20+ years, I have enjoyed assisting clients with their indirect tax obligations and savings opportunities, with clients across numerous sectors, and around the globe. I have worked with many oil and gas exploration and production, oilfield services, petroleum product marketing, renewable energy and power generation, real estate development and construction clients and nearly everything in between, on various indirect tax planning, controversy and audit support as well as compliance. I have also worked with several multi-national software and digital services companies, striving to comply with the new remote seller rules under the GST/HST and provincial sales tax regimes in Canada. I work frequently with non-resident clients on cross-border indirect tax issues related to setting up operations in Canada or doing business with their customers in Canada. Throughout my firm career and now under my own practice, I have concentrated my service offering in the area of GST/HST, but also focused on the various Canadian Provincial Sales Taxes as well as excise, carbon and fuel taxes. I am a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and am also the past co-chair of the Sales and Indirect Tax Committee of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and held the role of committee's provincial sales tax Director and Liaison. I have been an active member of the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society and have presented indirect tax updates and papers at the Society's annual conference and monthly luncheons. I have been an active member of the US Institute of Professionals in Taxation and sat on the annual VAT and Sales Tax Symposia organizing committee and frequently presented at the annual event. I am also a former member of CPA Canada's Annual "The One" conference organizing committee.

Chris Mines
Chris Mines

LearnFormula Host

I have over a decade of multimedia experience as a desktop publisher, Livestream producer, PA announcer, webcast director, professor, emcee, and more. I am a radio broadcasting graduate with additional coursework in political science and journalism. I gained critical knowledge while shadowing veteran broadcasters. I have extensive training in creative writing, current affairs, freelancing, and story structure. I have crafted current affairs interviews with Justin Trudeau, Romeo Dallaire, Ed the Sock, Kenny and Spenny, and Mike MacDonald. I love working as a creative storyteller and having conversations with people from all walks of life. My goal is to connect with diverse voices and to foster discussions on complex issues while striving to make the conversations as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Credit Information

What Students Are Saying

4.6
Student's Choice
44 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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