Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert has introduced Bill 228, The Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act, to cut red tape and paperwork for Manitoba’s farmers and agricultural retailers.
In a media release on Wednesday, Heibert said, “This bill is about making life easier for farmers and small businesses. The current system is outdated, burdensome, and inefficient. Bill 228 streamlines the process and cuts the red tape holding back our producers and ag retailers.”
Bill 228 allows farmers to register for a new farm identification number, similar to a GST number, that can be used to claim tax exemptions on qualifying purchases without having to sign a declaration form every time. Under the current rules, a “wet” or digital signature is required for each purchase, even in remote areas where access to service can be limited.
The proposed changes would allow a farmer to provide their ID number to suppliers instead of signing repetitive declarations, eliminating the paperwork burden for both. Accordingly, a declaration would only have to be signed once every two years instead of for every purchase.
With the uncertainty in the agriculture sector growing due to tariff threats from the U.S. and China, Bill 228 is a practical step to support the farmers and ag businesses that feed our province and the world, Hiebert noted.
“Farmers and retailers asked for this change, and we listened,” said Hiebert. “During harvest, farmers are working long hours and shouldn’t be worried about signing paperwork for every purchase. This bill brings common sense to our tax system.”
