Don't Mess With Taxes

North Dakota tax officials sure know how to be good neighbors.

Shoppers from bordering provinces Manitoba or Saskatchewan, or anywhere else in Canada for that matter, might be eligible for a refund of the state sales tax they paid on purchase while visiting North Dakota.

The refund is available for individuals only, not businesses, on real goods that are used outside of North Dakota. This includes such things as appliances, jewelry and clothing.

Other North Dakota purchases of items or services that are provided or fulfilled in the state, such as hotel rooms, restaurant meals and admission to events, are not eligible for the sales tax refund.In addition to being a Canadian resident, you also must meet two other requirements:

1. Each receipt submitted for refund must be for a minimum of $25 in taxable purchases. The receipt may include multiple items in order to reach the minimum.
   
2. Your refund request must be for a minimum of $15 of refundable tax. The $15 minimum tax amount is based on a calendar year.

You have three years from the purchase date on the receipt in which to submit a refund request. You can make your sales tax refund request electronically.

So Canadian shoppers, the next time there's a big sale in Bismarck, head on down, and be sure to hang onto your receipts.

Tax trip around the United States: This post is part of our series highlighting tax information from the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. You can read other state tax blurbs at our Complete menu of tasty state tax tidbits.

The State Tax Departments page provides links to official state and District of Columbia revenue Web sites so that you can find out more about your home's tax laws and filing requirements.

As we work through the 2010 tax season, a different state will be featured each day as noted in Don't forget your state taxes! Check back to see what tax tidbit we share about your home.

Related posts:

• State Tax Tidbits
• State Tax Departments
• Don't forget your state taxes! 
• State use taxes tend to be useless 

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