Atlantic massage therapists hope to make services exempt from taxes
Physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths already exempt from charging HST
Massage therapists in Atlantic Canada are among those applying to the federal government to have taxes removed from massage services.
The Canadian Massage Therapy Association made a formal application to the federal government in 2022 after a fifth province, Prince Edward Island, officially regulated its massage therapy industry. But the application was not included in the 2023 federal budget.
It's the association's position that massage therapy lowers stress, increases immune function and can help with mental health issues.
Now, the group — a national association of nine provincial massage therapy organizations, including those in all four Atlantic provinces — is once again asking the federal finance minister to consider the exemption. They intend to submit a petition to government later this year.
"We're still in a health-care crisis [and] having that other tier of health care more affordable and more accessible, we're looking at that as only being beneficial," said Amy-Lynne Graves, the national association's vice-chair and Nova Scotia's representative.
Graves said in an interview that the exemption from taxes can mean better access to services for clients.
"We're hoping to pass that savings on to the consumer, to those massage therapy patients, so that they can afford it, whether it is out of pocket or their benefits … [lasting] longer."
In a statement, the federal Finance Department said it asked Canadians this winter to provide their thoughts on what should be included in this year's budget. It said it is reviewing pre-budget submissions.
Amy-Lynne Graves is the Canadian Massage Therapy Association's vice-chair. (CBC News)
In Atlantic Canada, the HST rate is 15 per cent, which includes five per cent GST and 10 per cent provincial sales tax.
Being exempt from the tax would mean a person with an average of $500 a year of insurance coverage for massages could get more appointments without having to pay out of pocket, Graves said.
"If we can use massage therapy to help with these physical ailments, as well as these mental health conditions, or at least the physical symptoms associated with it, then it can help to alleviate some of the burden that we're seeing in the health-care crisis," Graves said.
One of the standards for a tax exemption was having regulated massage industries in five provinces, which became a reality in Canada in 2019 with the regulation of massage services on P.E.I., according to Stacey MacLeod, the president of the P.E.I. Massage Therapy Association.
Association-wide effort
MacLeod said in an interview it has long been a goal of the P.E.I. association to have a legislative council to oversee massage services in the province. She added that seeking tax exemption for the industry has been an association-wide effort.
"In the background, we were always kind of working toward it so that we had all our little ducks in a row," MacLeod said. "When the fifth province became regulated, we were like, 'OK, now we can go and put our application in to get on that list.'"
Physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths, among others, are already exempt from having to charge HST.
Graves said the hope is to achieve their tax-exempt status so that massage therapy services are included in the next federal budget.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Victoria Walton
David Amos
Methinks its nice to see folks having fun about taxation in the comment section for a change N'esy Pas?
One professionally given for money, and one given by an amateur for love.
There’s a special tax on number 2!
Reply to Carly Wattson
That money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money
Money can't buy me love
John Power
Looks like there may be a happy ending in sight! Jack Layton would be pleased!!
David Amos
Reply to John Power
I wonder how many folks got your joke
🤚
Where's everyone else's tax breaks I want to work for cash too. What a joke
David Amos
Reply to Billy Gauthier
Welcome to the circus
Reply to David Amos
Taxes are theft.
David Amos
Reply to Phil Trecc
Surely you jest
Nope income tax is straight theft. Other taxes may be less but not much less.
Joe Zilch
Cut taxes. And cut the gov't waste.
David Amos
Reply to Joe Zilch
Dream on
Manuel Santos
I agree that RMT should be exempt for HST. I also welcome the lowering of the HST from 15% to 13% that the N.S. Liberals are promising.
David Amos
Reply to Manuel Santos
Good luck with that wish coming true
Hugh MacDonald
A much kneaded tax break for massage therapists and they hope the federal government will give it's rubber stamp of approval.
Jose Sartoz
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
Very nice.
David Amos
Reply to Jose Sartoz
I concur
dave leeson
I guess the guys in fur coats and driving 72 Thunderbirds with white spoker wheels will have something to say about not being able to collect their tax
David Amos
Reply to dave leeson
Of that I have no doubt
Charlotte Hawkes
Sounds like a reasonable change. If chiropractors aren't required to charge HST I don't think RMTs should be required to either.
David Amos
Reply to Charlotte Hawkes
Good point
Kevin MacDonald
I thought the massage industry was strictly a cash only business? Times, they are a changing.
Manuel Santos
Reply to Kevin MacDonald
Uh that's a different type of "massage". LOL
Dan Wilkinson
Reply to Kevin MacDonald
Run...
Sebastian Leblanc
Reply to Manuel Santos
The number of businesses that are opting for cash transactions is increasing.
David Amos
Reply to Sebastian Leblanc
Par for the course
lol tell us what kind of “massages” you get without saying what kinds of massages you get!
Jose Sartoz
Either way, this is bound to rub someone the wrong way.
Danny Sterns
Reply to Jose Sartoz
Not bad, well done.
David Amos
Reply to Jose Sartoz
Well put
Sebastian Leblanc
Can't say I recall seeing taxes being applied to the massages I received from massage therapists...but maybe they build the taxes into the price. Either way, Blue Cross pays all of it so it doesn't cost me
anything.
David Amos
Reply to Sebastian Leblanc
Aren't you the lucky one?
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