Canadian Govt. Investigating Power Sellers?

[2budds]

Just heard a rumour that eBay has to inform Canadian federal goverenment of all the power sellers on ebay - names, addresses, etc. Apparently they want to check out those who have $1000 sales +. Would like to get more info.

[timeshoppe]

It is no 'rumor'. eBay.ca lost an injunction in Court allowing the Taxman complete access to ALL of your information. Of course after talking to a U.S. Powerseller rep today on the phone - they played 'stupid' and said they were not aware of what was going on [kind of funny considering eBay.com sent a legal team up here to fight this]. They also said this kind of thing will never happen in the U.S. [appparately people still have rights there]. If you haven't reported it...run and hide.
M&H

[tea_past_times]

If the government wants to know your name address telephone number and sales records, they don't need a court order. They can just buy one of your items and get that information automatically. Just like I could right now. It's all just a show to scare the unscrupulous element of Ebay into paying taxes on their sales. If they really were going to go after sellers they could have started doing that a decade ago.

[tea_past_times]

This dog has bark but no bite!

[jakeeangel]

Sorry to say it but the person you spoke to is wrong. It's been happening in the US for several months now.

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[zarzuella]

They can just buy one of your items and get that information automatically



The Auditor General might have something to say about such a misuse of tax dollars.

[sageleafkids]

The Auditor General might have something to say about such a misuse of tax dollars.

How is this a misuse of tax dollars. Spending $20 to get information on a person who may be avoiding paying thousands in tax dollars.

A simple purchase will get information on the package as to who sent it, combine this with information on sales showing in your feedback, should allow an auditor to make a very quick decision as to whether or not you are worth further examination.

I work quite closely with the Canada Revenue Agency on criminal matters, and as with most investigative agencies you look for the best targets with the information you have. The best thing for them with their access to ebay personal information is that they can quickly identify targets with very little expenditure of resources.

Just my thoughts.

Peter

[cottonwoodindustries]

Well, my business is registered with the Government, I collect PST, GST, and I pay Income tax on my Sales.

So I say bring it on!! I have nothing to hide.

Funny thing I sold an item to a Canadian a while ago, he emailed me complaining about having to pay the GST, while I explained that one day the US and Canadian Government would indeed be looking into the biggest underground economy in the world, for the people who did not collect and pay taxes owning the government, and that I would be ready for them.

Well I guess that time has come.

Also, I am sure that they will be looking at sellers who fraudulently collect the tax and then never report it to the government.

[ameroindustries]

Ebay is very poorly set up to collect gst/pst within canada i dont bother chargeing gst even though i have a number i just charge extra shipping and handling to cover if there is ever a need to pay the government back later . I hate government audits they are bull you cant do nothing in this country without them wanting half of what you make . You have to prove everything you own and how you got it . They can spin anything to make it seem that your doing something wrong when honestly your not just a bad book keeper .

good finish last