CFIB’s Atlantic analyst calls on PM to compensate businesses for tax holiday admin costs [Video]

A group that represents small and medium-sized businesses in P.E.I. and elsewhere across the country is calling on the federal government to offset its two-month tax holiday with support for owners.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business wants Ottawa to provide those businesses with $1,000 in compensation to help them cope with the cost of the sales tax break from Dec. 14, 2024, to Feb. 15, 2025.

It’s also asking for a commitment that business owners won’t face penalties from the Canada Revenue Agency if they make errors in applying the reductions. 

Frederic Gionet, the CFIB’s senior policy analyst for the Atlantic region, said businesses in P.E.I were surprised by the federal government’s GST/HST holiday proposal, especially since it comes so close to the Christmas shopping season. 

“The complexity of implementing these kinds of changes at the last minute before the Christmas season is catching a lot of small businesses …