Currently Golf is not permitted as a tax-deductible business entertainment expense in Canada.
The Allied Golf Association of British Columbia supports the advocacy efforts of the National Golf Course Owners Association to have Canada Revenue Agency amend legislation to allow 50% deduction for businesses entertaining clients on the golf course.
This initiative was the focus of the Federal Lobby Day June 7, 2011, and launched the current strategy. Private Members Bill was introduced Feb 16, 2012 by MP Randall Garrison. There was good momentum with ongoing meetings with MPs throughout Canada. The NGCOA then spent two full days on Parliament Hill November 28/29, 2012 in pre-budget consultations and garnered significant media exposure on the issue.
Golf was denied as a deduction in 2013 and now 2014 as well.
A renewed lobby strategy continues. It is imperative that all the stakeholders in our industry reach out to their MP to express disappointment in golf’s exclusion from the budget while also taking the time to ask for advice on how to move this important issue forward in the months to come. Talking points are available on the NGCOA website. It only takes 20-30 minutes to meet with your MP to explain the issue and ask for their support.
