Fair Way of Treatment

Summerside Golf Course manager fights for fair taxing for golf

Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

Tax rules for golf need to be changed for businesses, says Summerside golf course general manager Dallas Desjardins.

Desjardins was part of the National Allied Golf Association’s journey to Ottawa, representing the Atlantic golf courses, to lobby for changes to the Canada Revenue Agency’s rule that golf can’t be used as a tax deduction for businesses.

Currently a business could claim most other expenses for entertainment including hockey games but due to a tax reform in 1971 golf expenses are not allowed to be claimed in their taxes.

Desjardins said this leaves his business with a disadvantage when it comes to choices for spots a business will bring a client.

“Golf and yachting back in ’71 were singled out as not being tax deductible for businesses,” he said. “If you bring a business person to a hockey game or anything you can claim 50 per cent tax deduction on those.”

Desjardins said he was picked as the Atlantic representative because of the work he did as Chairperson at Golf Awareness day on P.E.I. and Tuesday’s visit to Parliament was just a starting block.

“This was the first time the seven golf associations got together like this and what were trying to do is start a dialogue with the Federal government.”

Desjardins said the group met with over 30 different Members of Parliament and Senators and the meetings went well.

“We had a small, minor ask and every MP we talked to was surprised at the little bit of a loophole that seems to be in the tax code. So I think it is something that they’re going to look into if there’s a possibility of changing it,” he said. “Realistically there is a possibility, albeit slight, that we might be able to get it changed for the 2012 season.”

Desjardins said they are only looking for the deduction off green fees and not on memberships.

“We’re really not a healthy industry on the Island right now, which is unfortunate. Especially for what we contribute for the Island as far as employment and tourism dollars.”