Sask. farmers get tax exemption on cardlock fuel

Saskatchewan farmers won’t have to pay the federal carbon tax on fuel that they pick up from cardlock stations.

The federal department of finance confirmed the news; the exemption was introduced on March 19 as part of the federal budget.

Previously, under the farm fuel exemption of the carbon tax, farmers could only use the exemption for fuel delivered to their properties, not that they picked up.

“We are glad to see that the federal government has listened to our concerns and is taking steps to fix this problem. We encourage all Saskatchewan producers to get in touch with their bulk fuel provider, to make sure that they have the correct paperwork in place before the Carbon Tax comes into effect on April 1,” said Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.

To qualify for the cardlock exemption, farmers need to get an exemption form from the Canada Revenue Agency website; that’s because the CRA is responsible for administering the fuel charge, the federal government said.

“Relief for farmers is provided through an exemption certificate under section 36 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. The exemption certificate is available on the Canada Revenue Agency website,”  the department of finance said in an email to 980 CJME.

“It is a downloadable template that farmers can complete, sign, and provide to their suppliers. There is no requirement for a farmer to register under the Act.”

More information can be found at the CRA website.