Question regarding moving a car from Alberta to Ontario.

[coconut_head]

Hello all,

I currently own a car in Alberta, and I am looking to send (or drive) the car back to Ontario when I am moving back. I am just wondering what are the procedures for doing so? Am I required to pay PST for the car when I import it to Ontario? Is there a restriction on how long do I have to own the vechicle before bringing it to another province?

Thanks in advanced.

[VivienM]

Hmm... get the car physically in Ontario, get it safetied/e-tested in accordance with the Ontario procedures, then go to the ministry office to register it?

I don't _think_ they'd charge PST if you already owned the car in Alberta...

[ac328]

Hmm... get the car physically in Ontario, get it safetied/e-tested in accordance with the Ontario procedures, then go to the ministry office to register it?

I don't _think_ they'd charge PST if you already owned the car in Alberta...

If you are a moving to Ontario to take up residence, you should not be charged PST to register your car if you already own it and it is coming with you:

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/guides/rst/pdf/202.pdf

However you should of course double check this is still the law yourself with the MTO.

[Kanus]

I moved from Alberta to Ontario a couple of years ago. I didn't have to pay PST. I did have to have to have a safety inspection and an emissions test which I thought was kind of ridiculous as my car was almost new. It wasn't very expensive though, as I believe the price of these inspections may be governed by law.

[coconut_head]

So theoretically, you can purchase a car in Alberta and save the tax then export it to another province without penalty?

[ac328]

So theoretically, you can purchase a car in Alberta and save the tax then export it to another province without penalty?

If you are taking up residence in Ontario, moving from another jurisdiction, and bringing the car into Ontario with you as part of your personal effects, you can register it without paying PST.

That's different than just shipping a car to be registered in another province, LOL.

[VivienM]

So theoretically, you can purchase a car in Alberta and save the tax then export it to another province without penalty?

Assuming you're an Alberta resident.

I would guess that if you just hop on a plane to Calgary, and try to buy a car there, you MIGHT have some difficulty getting the Alberta authorities to give you Alberta plates for it?

Furthermore, it wouldn't surprise me if the Ontario authorities cross-referenced this with their driver's licence database, i.e. they charge the tax unless you've traded in an Alberta licence at the same time or maybe a few weeks earlier...

[scouzer]

So theoretically, you can purchase a car in Alberta and save the tax then export it to another province without penalty?

It's not a theory. It works. Don't ask me how I know.

[ac328]

It's not a theory. It works. Don't ask me how I know.

Wow that's insightful. Tell me how I can avoid paying income tax as well while you're on the topic

Go look on the MTO's website, and the Ontario Ministry of Finance website. There are only a handful of ways to get an exemption from PST on registering a vehicle.

[coconut_head]

Wow that's insightful. Tell me how I can avoid paying income tax as well while you're on the topic

Go look on the MTO's website, and the Ontario Ministry of Finance website. There are only a handful of ways to get an exemption from PST on registering a vehicle.

I tried looking into both websites and I couldn't figure out how unless it is registered under a company name.

I currently have an Alberta license, and if I were to purchase a car in Ontario and acquire an Alberta plate (without actually bringing the car over to Alberta), I could theoretically save thousands of dollars by avoiding the 8% PST?

Sorry for all the 'what-ifs' questions, I am just curious how the system works as I plan to move back to Ontario in the next couple months.

[VivienM]

I tried looking into both websites and I couldn't figure out how unless it is registered under a company name.

I currently have an Alberta license, and if I were to purchase a car in Ontario and acquire an Alberta plate (without actually bringing the car over to Alberta), I could theoretically save thousands of dollars by avoiding the 8% PST?

Sorry for all the 'what-ifs' questions, I am just curious how the system works as I plan to move back to Ontario in the next couple months.

Alberta requires an inspection for out-of-province vehicles, IIRC. How are you going to register your Ontario-purchased vehicle in Alberta without it getting
inspected in Alberta?

[ac328]

Alberta requires an inspection for out-of-province vehicles, IIRC. How are you going to register your Ontario-purchased vehicle in Alberta without it getting
inspected in Alberta?

What does that have to do with GM W bodies?

Just kidding!

Excellent point, you are correct. An out-of-province inspection is required to register any used car in AB.

[M-e-X-x]

So theoretically, you can purchase a car in Alberta and save the tax then export it to another province without penalty?

doesn't work that way... if it did, u'd see TONS of ppl buying cars in alberta to save on PST/HST

u'd have to be a resident

[VivienM]

What does that have to do with GM W bodies?

Just kidding!

Maybe the OP is planning to buy a W body Or maybe I want to register some W bodies in Alberta?

Excellent point, you are correct. An out-of-province inspection is required to register any used car in AB.

Yup. I've researched all this, mostly because I really, really, really, really want to move to AB...

It's interesting how AB doesn't require inspections for intra-province vehicle transfers, unlike Ontario...

[BobW]

It's interesting how AB doesn't require inspections for intra-province vehicle transfers, unlike Ontario...

ummmm Alberta most definitely requires inspections for ANY vehicle being registered in Alberta that was not registered here before.