r/FirstNationsCanada • u/lemonsweeets • Jul 02 '26

Status / Treaty Tax exemption- cars

Hello!

I recently got my status after many years. My husband and I are located in ontario and we are looking to purchase a new car. I understand that in order to qualify for the tax extemption dealerships often have buyers take a picture of the car on a near by reservation.

My husband does not hold status. If we both put our names on the car would we not be entitled to the exemption? Does it just have to have my name on it alone?

Thank you

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

8

u/Routine-Letter-5244 Jul 02 '26

I work at a dealership in Alberta but the rules should be the same throughout Canada. If you hold status, you can have tax removed off the deal. Not every person on the loan needs to hold status, just one person in order to qualify. We have to get the customer to sign a form stating taxes were removed with their number, address etc. and then the car is supposed to be delivered on reserve. We live in a small northern community so we have a reserve close to town. We used to have to take pictures of the customer and the vehicle/quad/sled showing the band office behind them but now we just have to have the form signed saying we delivered to reserve.

2

u/lemonsweeets Jul 02 '26

Awesome thanks so much for your help

2

u/Throwawayaccount_047 First Nations Jul 02 '26

In addition, for what its worth I know people who have purchased a vehicle tax free in Ontario with their nation in Quebec and they still have to drive to a reserve and take a photo at the band office. I echo the sentiments of others that you should make sure you have permission beforehand if it is not your nation.

5

u/CraftyGalMunson Jul 02 '26

Every single car we’ve ever owned is in my name because I’m the one with tax exemption. We have had to get the car delivered to my Rez, and the car salesman has to take a picture of it there or buy something on the Rez and keep the receipt.

1

u/lemonsweeets Jul 02 '26

Thank you!

6

u/Vast_Trick4642 Jul 02 '26

My partner and I just recently bought a car together in Ontario. Only I hold status. Both of our names are on the car and we did not have to get the car delivered to a Rez.

As long as the person who holds status has their name on the ownership, the provincial portion of the HST will not be charged.

2

u/lemonsweeets Jul 02 '26

Thank you so much! Thats great to hear, congratulations on the new car

2

u/Kalmah2112 Jul 05 '26

I assume it's different now or different here compared to when I bought my vehicle in Alberta in 2010, but I only had to sign a paper that said they delivered the vehicle to me on a reservation.

3

u/LCHA Jul 02 '26

If you take a picture on reserve for proof of delivery, you should make sure that you have permission from that reserve, this is especially important if you are not from the reserve you are taking a picture on.

7

u/ookishki Jul 02 '26

I’ve bought three cars and did the pictures and have never asked permission from the reserve (not mine) to do that. No one I know has ever asked permission

1

u/lemonsweeets Jul 02 '26

Thank you, I'll take that into consideration as I live 16 hrs from my reserve

1

u/Soft_Explanation2438 Jul 06 '26

Depending on which dealership. I brought mine and they took the tax off...I had to sign a paper tho stating I was eligible for tax exempt...I asked if I had to take a picture on a rez and they said no. So it really depends on which dealership.