Apple Canada now charging tax on all content

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Canadians have noticed for a while now that if we buy something from the iTunes Store, we don't get charged federal or provincial tax, but if we buy something from the App Store, we do. Well, as of January 1, 2019, all content we buy, rent, or subscribe to from Apple will now be charged those taxes.

Here's Apple's statement:

"As the world's largest taxpayer, we respect the important role taxes play in society. Due to recent changes in Canadian legislation and the growth of our business, sales tax will now be charged on purchases of TV, movies, music and audiobooks. Apple has been operating in Canada for 38 years and we are proud to deliver the best products and services in the world to our customers here."

Basically, Apple's older content (iTunes) was run out of the US, and newer (App Store) was run out of Canada. Now, everything is being run out of Canada. So, Canadian taxes now apply (and get contributed from) everything.

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.