NCFA calls for an automatic exemption from the Underused Housing Tax for farmers who own homes for the purpose of housing farm workers. This automatic exemption would not require any application or paperwork by the farmer. This approach would provide much-needed financial and red-tape relief for Canada’s agriculture sector.
While we recognize this tax provides an exemption process for which farmers can apply, our members are informing us that the professional fees (i.e., accountants) to complete the exemption application are significant (particularly for large feedlot operations) and are simply one more burden upon farmers who are already facing increasing input costs, energy costs and regulatory requirements. In the meantime, the funds used to pay these professional fees to complete the exemption application could be going toward innovation on the farm operation.