Q.1 What is the new Excise Tax (Green Levy) on Fuel
Inefficient Vehicles?
A.1 The budget proposes to introduce a vehicle efficiency
incentive (VEI) designed to promote the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles in
Canada.
The VEI includes:
- A rebate for highly fuel-efficient vehicles;
- A neutral treatment for vehicles of average fuel efficiency; and
- A new excise tax on fuel inefficient vehicles.
The CRA will be administering the new excise tax on fuel inefficient
vehicles.
Q.2 What vehicles will the new excise tax apply
to?
A.2 The excise tax will apply to certain new automobiles
(including station wagons, vans and sport utility vehicles) designed primarily
to carry passengers. The excise tax does not apply to pick-up trucks, vans
equipped to accommodate ten or more passengers, ambulances and hearses. Please
refer to question 3 to find out which vehicles are subject to the excise
tax.
Q.3 How is the new excise tax
calculated?
A.3 The excise tax is calculated on the basis of the
weighted average fuel consumption, as determined in accordance with information
published by Natural Resources Canada. For purposes of this excise tax, the
weighted average is calculated by combining 55% of the city fuel consumption
rating with 45% of the highway fuel consumption rating. A listing of vehicles
and associated fuel-efficiency ratings can be found on the Natural
Resources Canada Web site.
Vehicles that have a weighted average fuel consumption of 13 or more litres
per 100 km will be subject to the tax at the following rates:
- At least 13 but less than 14 litres per 100 km: $1,000
- At last 14, but less than 15 litres per 100 km: $2,000
- At least 15 but less than 16 litres per 100 km: $3,000
- 16 or more litres per 100 km: $4,000
Q.4 Who does the new excise tax apply
to?
A.4 The tax will be payable by the automobile manufacturer
or importer at the time the vehicles are delivered to a purchaser (usually a
dealer) or imported. The tax will not apply to vehicles that are manufactured in
Canada and exported for sale in other countries, or to vehicles that are
imported and subsequently exported prior to being put into service in
Canada.
Q.5 When will the new excise tax come into
effect?
A.5 The new excise tax applies to automobiles delivered by a
manufacturer after March 19, 2007 and each automobile imported into Canada after
that day unless the automobile had been put into service before March 20,
2007.
This measure does not apply to an automobile for which an agreement in
writing has been entered into before March 20, 2007 between a person in the
business of selling vehicles and a final consumer and for which possession is
taken by the final consumer before October 2007.

Q.6 Where can I get more information about the new
excise tax?
A.6 The CRA is committed to providing taxpayers with
up-to-date information. Taxpayers are encouraged to check our Web site often -
all new forms, policies and guidelines will be posted here as they become
available.
In the meantime, please consult the Department of Finance's Budget 2007 documents for
details.
If you would like to speak with someone regarding the Excise Tax Act
please call toll free at 1-866-330-3304.
Q.7 Are used vehicles imported into Canada subject
to this new tax?
A.7 If the vehicle was put into service prior to March 20,
2007 and imported into Canada on or after March 20, 2007, the tax does not
apply.
If the vehicle was put into service on or after March 20, 2007 and imported
into Canada, the tax would apply provided the weighted average fuel consumption
rating of 13 or more litres per 100 km.
An automobile is considered to be put into service at the earliest of:
- the date the automobile is registered with a motor vehicle authority;
- the date it is plated;
- the date on which the automobile's warranty has been put in place; or
- the date the automobile is appropriated by a dealer for their own use.
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