From: AlanBaggett@volcanomail.com   
      
   Canadian Campgrounds facing crippling tax hike from Canada Revenue Agency :   
   CRA SOTW   
      
    Matthew Allen  / The Nugget   
      
   Private campgrounds are fighting to be recognized as small businesses to avoid   
   a crippling tax hike.   
      
   The Canada Revenue Agency says campgrounds earn rental income rather than   
   provide a service, so they're not eligible for the small business tax rate and   
   must pay three times more.   
      
   The change affects operations with fewer than five full-time employees.   
      
   “The effect of this will be either the campgrounds will close, no   
   improvements will be done to the parks or worse-case scenario is that some of   
   the costs will be passed down to the camper,” says Alexandra Anderson,   
   executive director of Camping in    
   Ontario.   
      
   “Most people don't want their camping fees to go up by 30 per cent. It would   
   be devastating for the industry."   
      
   At Fairview Campgrounds in North Bay, co-owner Erin Wickett-Duff has operated   
   the 14-acre property with her husband for years without issue.   
       
   “I wouldn't have that much work for five employees,” Wickett-Duff says.   
      
   While hiring additional employees is not feasible for most campgrounds, losing   
   the small business tax rate could be devastating. One family-run operation in   
   southwestern Ontario is facing a $250,000 tax bill.   
      
   “This is penalizing children, seniors and working couples by taking away an   
   affordable family vacation,” says Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl   
   Gallant, the Conservative's FedNor critic.   
       
   “Many international visitors come to Canada looking for an outdoor   
   experience like an affordable campground holiday.”   
      
   Anderson does not believe CRA was targeting the camping industry with the tax   
   change, and has had positive meetings with Bardish Chagger, the minister of   
   Small Business and Tourism.   
      
   Camping in Ontario, which represents more than 440 privately run campgrounds,   
   plans to deliver a petition to Finance Minister Bill Morneau. It currently has   
   5,695 signatures from campers who use the facilities and don't want to see   
   them close.   
         
   “We are simply asking to be taxed the same as any other small business in   
   Canada,” Anderson says.   
      
      
   ----------------------------------------------------------    
   Miss a Tax Tale Miss a lot!    
   Visit the CRA SOTW Library at http://canada.revenue.agency.angelfire.com    
      
   ------------------------------------------------------------    
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