The Alberta Indian Tax Exemption card will be discontinued as of October 4, 2021. Instead, the federal Certificate of Indian Status card (better known as status card) will be the only identification needed for tax exemptions on Alberta reservations. Alberta’s government will continue to support tobacco and fuel tax exemptions for First Nations people, who will be able to use their status card to make purchases from participating retailers. Old, expired and temporary status cards will be accepted for purchases.
Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations says the change was requested by many, “First Nations leaders have asked me to eliminate the AITE card since I became minister of Indigenous Relations. We engaged with leaders and retailers and now we are getting rid of this unnecessary extra step for First Nations consumers. We are proud to continue removing barriers for First Nations people in Alberta”.
Eligible First Nations people and bands can purchase the following products without taxes and levies at the time of purchase:
- fuel products purchased on-reserve in Alberta or delivered to reserve
- tobacco products purchased on-reserve in Alberta
- accommodations purchased on-reserve in Alberta
Once October 4 rolls around, federal status cards will be the only proof needed for eligibility required by AITE retailers for tax-exempt items. First Nations people are urged to apply for a status card as soon as possible if they cannot locate theirs. This can be done through First Nations offices or online at canada.ca/indian-status.
AITE retailers purchase products with tax included and submit a refund claim to government. They will continue to do so after the AITE card is eliminated. As of January 2021, there were 115 registered AITE retail locations representing 99 unique legal entities in Alberta.
The Government of Alberta recognizes that many First Nations people and communities in the province prefer not to describe themselves as Indians or Indian bands. These terms have been used where necessary to reflect their legal meaning in the federal Indian Act.
-Calvin Hector, Trending 55 Newsroom
