Many Status Indians Unaware Of Rare Tax Exemption

Many Status Indians Unaware Of Rare Tax Exemption

Friday, April 28, 2006 at 13:33

An expert on tax exemptions for First Nations reserves says more Aboriginal people could be taking advantage of the opportunities that are available to them.

Consultant Robert Weighell of Current Information Ltd. is co-hosting two workshops on the subject next month in Edmonton and Ottawa.

He says, traditionally, the Indian Act exemption has been interpreted to mean that only workers on reserve qualify for tax immunity from the provincial and federal government.

However, Weighell says some workers who are working off-reserve may qualify for the exemption if their employer is deemed to be an official Resident on Reserve.

He says companies that hold the majority of their board meetings on-reserve may qualify for the exemption.

He adds the Glen Williams court case of 1992 has a lot to do with the loophole.