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ENHANCING COMPLIANCE WITH CANADA’S TOBACCO TAX LEGISLATION

ENHANCING COMPLIANCE WITH CANADA’S TOBACCO TAX LEGISLATION. Canada Revenue Agency September 2005. ENVIRONMENT. High taxation has increased the incentive for non-compliance. Legitimate production levels are decreasing while consumption remains stable.

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ENHANCING COMPLIANCE WITH CANADA’S TOBACCO TAX LEGISLATION

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  1. ENHANCING COMPLIANCE WITH CANADA’STOBACCO TAX LEGISLATION Canada Revenue Agency September 2005

  2. ENVIRONMENT • High taxation has increased the incentive for non-compliance. • Legitimate production levels are decreasing while consumption remains stable. • Incidents of theft, smuggling and counterfeit are increasing. • Illicit sales of raw leaf tobacco, illicit manufacturing and underreporting of tobacco production is on the rise. • Discussions with the Department of Finance led to the recent Budget announcements and the Tobacco Compliance Strategy.

  3. TOBACCO TAXATION IN CANADA • Federal duty is imposed under the Excise Act, 2001 • Excise Act, 2001 is administered by Canada Revenue Agency • Duty is imposed at the time of packaging or importation • Payable by the tobacco licensee (manufacturer) or the importer • A tobacco stamp indicates the duty paid status • Provincial tobacco taxes are imposed under various provincial legislation at the sales level • Rates vary from provinces to provinces • Federal stamp is modified to reflect provincial tax paid status

  4. Federal Tobacco Duty Rates

  5. FEDERAL BUDGET 2005 • “Taxing tobacco products at a high and sustainable level is an important element of the Government’s health strategy to discourage smoking among Canadians.” • “Enhancements to tobacco tax compliance and enforcement programs will ensure that the tobacco tax system continues to support the Government’s health goals.”

  6. FEDERAL BUDGET 2005 $8 million of new funding over the next 5 years, plus CRA internal re-allocation • Enhancements to the stamping regime using new covert and overt identifiers to clearly indicate whether excise duty has been paid; • Additional excise officers to increase frequency of inspections and audits of tobacco licensees; • Increased monitoring of raw leaf tobacco from the tobacco growers to the tobacco licensees.

  7. TOBACCO STAMPING REGIME PURPOSES • Make counterfeit products easier to identify • Provide an effective enforcement tool for both federal and provincial authorities • Strengthen controls over manufacturing and distribution of secure stamps / tear tape • Facilitate determination of under-reporting of tobacco production

  8. Tobacco Stamping Regime CONSULTATION PROCESS • Lengthy discussions with Department of Finance • Consultations with various stakeholders • Tobacco Industry • Provincial Governments • Enforcement Partners • Security Providers • Non-Government Organisations • Discussion Paper issued July 2005

  9. TOBACCO STAMPING REGIME IDENTIFIED OPTIONS • Implement covert and overt identifiers on • an enhanced tear tape; • a new “prescribed” stamp; or • a combination of both tear tapes and stamps • Register or licence manufacturers of tear tapes/stamps • Implement controls on security provider • Implement within 18 months (Fall 2006)

  10. NEXT STEPS • Respond to submissions made by stakeholders concerning the July 2005 Discussion Paper • Develop and post the Request for Procurement • Develop enforcement strategies, programs and MOU with our enforcement partners • Health Canada, Provinces, RCMP, CBSA, … • Examine timelines & deliverables • Identify and implement required legislative and regulatory amendments

  11. TOBACCO GROWERS Proposal • Implement an outreach program to educate, assist and promote compliance with Excise Act, 2001 • Mail-outs and conferences • Perform on-going field visits to verify books & records • Develop a uniform serialized marking document for all tobacco bales to allow for identification and tracking of raw leaf tobacco • Implementation within 12 months (Spring 2006)

  12. TOBACCO GROWERS Impacts • Decrease supply to illicit production • Potential negative reactions from growers • not monitored in the past • now subject to compliance visits • now required to maintain books & records • Illicit manufacturers will be more exposed to enforcement actions

  13. ENHANCED AUDITS PROPOSAL • Increase resources and the frequency of audit and regulatory review visits • Increase use of administrative monetary penalties and civil actions • Establish a risk assessment system • Revision of tobacco audit programs • Implementation within 6 months (Fall 2005)

  14. ENHANCED AUDITS Impacts • Reduce under-reporting of production • Reduce usage of illicit raw-leaf tobacco • Protect and increase government revenues • Should result in minimal negative reaction from industry as they are currently subject to more frequent audit activity than other industry sectors

  15. EXPECTED OUTCOMES • Increased deterrent effect on counterfeit and smuggling • A reduction in unlicensed and unreported production • More forceful court actions using a stamp with enhanced integrity • Decrease in the supply of raw leaf tobacco to illicit production • Increased government revenues • Increased compliance with tobacco legislation

  16. Questions? THANK YOU – MERCI Marc Rivard Tel. 1-613-957-4136

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