Tax refund available for reefer, anti-idling devices: OTA

TORONTO — The Ontario Trucking Association says it’s been made aware of a recent Federal Court decision that provides for an expanded exemption from tax on diesel fuel utilized for heating or cooling.

The OTA says its tax advisors from Deloitte & Touche inform the group that the change could be an opportunity for carriers operating refrigerated units and-or idling reduction devices to apply for a refund on federal excise tax paid in the last two years on fuel used to operate this equipment.

Some OTA members may have been recovering tax using narrower approaches previously available, “but this change increases the opportunity for recovery, so this is a very good time to review fuel costs and submit claims on all heating and cooling related fuel consumption,” the OTA says.

OTA and Deloitte will seek refunds on behalf of interested OTA-member carriers.

Deloitte has agreed to work on a contingency basis. If the firm is successful in obtaining refunds on behalf of participating carriers they will retain 35 percent of the refund from the carrier, a portion of which will be provided to OTA and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

OTA members interested in setting up an appointment with Deloitte, must first register with the Ontario Trucking Association.

Members can contact Stephen Laskowski at stephen.laskowski@ontruck.org for more information.