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Excise and GST/HST News - No. 121

Table of Contents

Federal Budget 2025

On November 4, 2025, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue tabled Budget 2025, which proposed amendments to the Excise Tax Act, the Underused Housing Tax Act, the Select Luxury Items Tax Act, and other related legislation. These amendments are included in Bill C-15 which has not yet received Royal Assent.

End the Luxury Tax on Subject Aircraft and Vessels

Introduced on September 1, 2022, the luxury tax applies to sales, leases, importations, and certain improvements of subject vehicles, aircraft, and vessels priced above relevant thresholds under the Select Luxury Items Tax Act. Specifically, the luxury tax applies to subject vehicles and aircraft priced above $100,000 and subject vessels priced above $250,000.

On November 4, 2025, as part of Budget 2025, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue announced a proposed measure to eliminate the luxury tax on subject aircraft and subject vessels effective November 5, 2025.

Under this proposed measure, the luxury tax would no longer be payable on subject aircraft or subject vessels priced or valued above the relevant thresholds. However, the luxury tax would continue to apply to subject vehicles priced or valued above $100,000, unless an exemption applies. For more information on the application of the luxury tax to subject vehicles, please refer to Notice LTN2, Subject vehicles under the Select Luxury Items Tax Act.

Key Details for Registrants

  • Filing and Reporting: Registrants, and persons that are not required to be registered, with liability for luxury tax on subject aircraft or vessels for the period October 1, 2025, to November 4, 2025, must include amounts owing in their quarterly return for the period ending December 31, 2025. After December 31, 2025, filing requirements would no longer apply for subject aircraft and vessels.
  • Certificates: Exemption, tax, and special import certificates would no longer be required for subject aircraft and vessels after November 4, 2025. However, previously issued certificates must still be retained for six years after the end of the year to which they relate.
  • Registration: Vendors in respect of subject aircraft or vessels, would no longer be required or permitted to register after November 4, 2025. Registrations for these items would be automatically cancelled on February 1, 2028. Registration in respect of subject vehicles would be unaffected.

Administrative Considerations

Although the luxury tax on subject aircraft and vessels is proposed to end, registrants should note that the CRA retains the right to inspect, audit, or examine records as part of its enforcement and compliance obligations. All records must be kept for six years after the end of the year to which they relate.

Need More Information?

For further details on this proposed measure, consult Notice LTN5, Luxury tax not payable on subject aircraft and vessels. Additional resources are available on the CRA’s luxury tax webpage.

If you have specific questions regarding the luxury tax, contact the Excise and Specialty Tax Directorate at 1‑866‑330‑3304 or visit Contact Information – Excise and Specialty Tax Directorate.

 

Please visit this link for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/news121/news121-excise-gst-hst-news-no-121.html

 

Topic(s)

Acts & Regulations
Acts & Regulations - General

Information source

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Disclaimer

The foregoing information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered, professional advice or a substitute for conducting your own thorough research and review. Before making any decisions or taking any action based on the information provided, you should conduct your own independent investigation and/or seek professional advice from a qualified expert in the relevant field. The CSCB disclaims all liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided.