Table of contents

Notice about terms on this page

The Government of Alberta recognizes that many First Nations people and communities in the province prefer not to describe themselves as Indians/Indian bands. These terms have been used where necessary to reflect their legal meaning in the federal Indian Act.

Technical issue with accepting the AITE card

On Saturday, April 17 through Monday, April 19, many retail locations on reserves in Alberta were not able to accept the AITE card for fuel and tobacco tax-exempt purchases. This was due to a technical issue experienced by Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA).

This issue was not related to or caused by continuing plans to eliminate the AITE card.

This problem should be resolved for tax-exempt fuel and tobacco purchases starting Tuesday, April 20.

If you are an AITE retailer still experiencing issues, please contact your point of sale system software vendor, or TRA.

Eliminating the AITE card

The government has heard from several stakeholders that more time is needed to implement this change. The original target date of June 21, 2021 may have caused significant pressure and difficulty. Based on this feedback, the effective date for elimination of the Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) card is being moved from June 21 to October 4, 2021.

As of October 4, 2021, the only accepted proof of eligibility for tax-exempt purchases made on reserve in Alberta will be the federal Certificate of Indian Status card (status card) or Temporary Confirmation of Registration document. Any version of the status card will be accepted, including expired cards. AITE retailers will no longer accept the AITE card as of October 4, 2021.

For more information see:

TRA's online services and special notices

Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA) encourages taxpayers to use electronic means (for example: Netfile, TRACS, secure email, electronic payment, etc.) to submit payments, registrations, applications, returns, claims, objections, waivers and appeals.

In order to reduce the necessity for taxpayers and tax preparers to meet in person, TRA will recognize electronic signatures. This administrative measure applies to all prescribed forms administered by TRA. To add a digital signature, the form must first be downloaded or opened as a PDF.

For more information, see TRA online services. This page also includes links to TRA Special Notices related to changes due to COVID-19, listed under the applicable program.

Overview

The Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) program consists of:

  • An exemption from taxes and levies for eligible consumers and bands at the time of purchase on:
    • fuel products purchased on reserve in Alberta or delivered to reserve
    • tobacco products purchased on reserve in Alberta
    • accommodation purchased on reserve in Alberta
  • A refund of the Alberta fuel tax and carbon levy on fuel to fuel sellers when the fuel is sold or delivered to eligible consumers on reserve in Alberta.
  • A refund of the Alberta tobacco tax on tobacco products sold by retailers to eligible consumers on reserve in Alberta.
  • A refund of the Alberta tourism levy to operators that provide accommodation on reserve to eligible consumers.
  • Information for tobacco wholesalers and fuel suppliers that provide products to registered retailers making tax-exempt sales to eligible consumers.

Definition of the AITE card

Effective October 4, 2021, the only accepted proof of eligibility for tax-exempt purchases made on reserve in Alberta will be the federal Certificate of Indian Status card (status card) or Temporary Confirmation of Registration document. Any version of the status card will be accepted, including expired cards. AITE retailers will no longer accept the AITE card as of October 4, 2021.

TRA will continue to issue the AITE card to eligible consumers and bands until it is eliminated in Fall 2021. This card must be presented to the retailer or accommodation operator at the time of purchase to show the retailer that the fuel, tobacco or accommodation may be sold to the cardholder exempt from tax or levy.

Eligibility

You are an eligible consumer, and may apply for an AITE card, if:

  • you are an “Indian” as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), who is 16 years of age or older
  • you are a “band” as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), whose reserve is partially or totally located in Alberta
  • you are a band whose band office is located in Alberta

No incorporated entity is eligible for the AITE program.

Form instructions

Trouble opening or completing fillable PDF forms?

Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. If the form doesn't open, or you can't complete the form, or you see a "please wait" message, follow these steps to complete and save fillable forms from Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA):

  1. Right-click on the form link and select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As", and save the form to your computer.
  2. Launch Adobe Reader.
  3. Open the PDF from within Adobe Reader. You can now fill and save your form.

Electronic signatures allowed

In order to reduce the necessity for taxpayers and tax preparers to meet in person, TRA will recognize electronic signatures. This administrative measure applies to all prescribed forms administered by TRA. To add a digital signature, the form must first be downloaded or opened as a PDF.

To submit your forms

Complete your forms and submit them to TRA.

Apply for an AITE card

Note: AITE cards no longer expire and will be discontinued in October 2021. Once this occurs, any version of a federal status card or a temporary confirmation of registration document will be the only accepted proof of eligibility for tax-exempt purchases.

While the AITE card no longer expires, it will only be issued by TRA to eligible consumers and bands until Fall 2021. Once AITE cards are eliminated, they will no longer be issued. This card must be presented to the retailer or accommodation operator at the time of purchase to show the retailer that the fuel, tobacco or accommodation may be sold to the cardholder exempt from tax or levy.

For more information, see:

Step 1: Fill out the AITE Declaration form

Step 2: Apply

  • Submit your completed declaration form to TRA.

Step 3: After you apply

  • When your application is approved, TRA will mail your AITE card to the address indicated on the declaration form.

If you need a replacement card

  • Complete and submit a new Alberta Indian/Indian Band Declaration (AT4805) (PDF, 138 KB) to receive a replacement card if your name has changed, or when your card:
    • is lost or believed to be stolen (notify TRA immediately if this occurs)
    • has been cancelled
    • is damaged

Get a tax or levy refund

How to get a carbon levy refund

Eligible consumers may apply for a refund when the carbon levy was paid in error. Carbon levy refund applications must be received within 2 years from the end of the year in which the fuel was purchased. Fuel purchased after May 30, 2019 does not include the Alberta carbon levy.

Step 1: Complete and submit the claimant registration

Step 2: Register for TRACS

Step 3: Complete the refund application

  • Complete the carbon levy claimant refund application in your TRACS account.

Step 4: Receive your refund

  • Receive your refund by direct deposit or cheque.

How to get a refund of fuel or tobacco tax or tourism levy

Eligible consumers may apply for a refund when the tax or levy was paid in error. Refund applications for fuel or tobacco tax or tourism levy must be received within 3 years from the end of the year in which the purchase took place.

To apply for a refund of tax or levy paid in error, submit a written request to TRA with the following information:

  • when the purchase took place
  • the supplier or tourism operator that charged the tax or levy
  • the location of the purchase or where the fuel was delivered

Who can provide the exemption?

Note: AITE cards no longer expire and will be discontinued in June 2021. Once this occurs, federal status cards will be accepted as the sole proof of eligibility for tax-exempt purchases.

While the AITE card no longer expires, it will only be issued by TRA to eligible consumers and bands for the time being. Once AITE cards are eliminated, they will no longer be issued. This card must be presented to the retailer or accommodation operator at the time of purchase to show the retailer that the fuel, tobacco or accommodation may be sold to the cardholder exempt from tax or levy.

If you do not receive a replacement card, you may provide your Certificate of Indian Status card as proof of eligibility.

For more information, see:

Fuel or tobacco retailers wanting to provide the AITE to eligible consumers must be:

  • located on a reserve in Alberta

OR

  • a fuel seller that delivers fuel to eligible consumers located on reserve in Alberta

Accommodation operators wanting to provide the AITE to eligible consumers must be:

  • providing the accommodation on reserve in Alberta

AND

Sale of tobacco exempt of tobacco tax

Black stock tobacco is cigarettes, tobacco sticks and fine-cut tobacco that has a federal stamp indicating that duty has been paid, but does not have an Alberta stamp. In Alberta, black stock is sold to eligible consumers by AITE retailers and in duty-free shops.

Registered AITE retailers must:

  • purchase black stock tobacco tax included (cigarettes or fine-cut tobacco) from wholesalers with an Alberta tobacco tax licence
  • sell black stock to eligible consumers, that present their AITE card at the time of purchase, from a location located on reserve in Alberta
  • sell Alberta stamped tobacco product to all other consumers
  • apply weekly for a refund for all tax-exempt sales using an approved Point of Sale System (POSS) (AITE Direct)

For more information regarding the sale of tobacco to eligible consumers, see Information Circular AITE 3 – Exemptions Under the AITE Program.

Federal law prohibits the sale of tobacco to anyone under 18 years of age, including individuals with an AITE card.

Sale of fuel exempt of fuel tax

Registered AITE fuel sellers may sell clear gasoline or diesel fuel, and propane for motive purposes, to eligible consumers, exempt from the fuel tax.

All fuel purchased by an AITE fuel seller is purchased with the tax included.

Apply weekly for a refund for all tax exempt sales, using an approved Point of Sale System (POSS) (AITE Direct).

Register as an AITE retailer

Step 1: Fill out the AITE Retailer Registration form

Complete the following forms and print a copy of each:

Step 2: Make a copy of the Band Council Resolution

  • The Band Council Resolution must give authority to operate on the respective reserve.

Step 3: Submit documents

  • Submit your completed AITE Retailer Registration (AT4804), a copy of the Band Council Resolution, Application for Direct Deposit (AT4812), and void cheque to TRA.

Step 4: Review and sign Exempt Sale Retailer Agreement

  • TRA will send you a copy of an Exempt Sale Retailer Agreement (the Agreement).
  • Review the conditions outlined in the Agreement.
  • An authorized signing representative must sign and date the document in the presence of a witness, who must also sign the Agreement.
  • Submit your signed Agreement to TRA.

Step 5: Once approved

  • You will receive an approval letter and a copy of the Agreement signed by a TRA representative by mail.
  • POSS set up and confirmation from vendor.

Apply for an AITE retailer refund

Point of Sale System (POSS)

On a daily basis, TRA receives the details of the retailer’s tobacco and/or fuel sales. The POSS is then updated of cardholder changes and purchases-to-date information about individual cardholders.

Each Sunday, TRA totals the daily information received during the week and creates a claim.

Once the claim is approved, a refund will be generated and will be directly deposited into the retailer’s bank account within a few days.

You must maintain and provide upon request proper records, including purchase invoices, sales invoices, vouchers and other supporting documents for at least 4 years.

Paper Claims

Step 1: Complete the refund application

Step 2: Submit the refund application

  • Submit your completed refund application to TRA.

Step 3: Receive your refund

  • After your claim has been assessed you will receive your refund by direct deposit.

Direct deposit

How to pay

Maintain your account in TRACS

TRA Client Self-Service (TRACS) is a secure online system for authorized TRA clients to conveniently conduct business with TRA. You can do the following tasks in TRACS:

  • view the status of submitted claims
  • submit documents
  • view status of prior assessments, financial details and letters of assessment and notices of reassessment (if available)
  • access financial information and view account period balances
  • update address and contact information
  • delegate account access to other employees or authorized individuals
  • view reports including cancelled cards, rejected sales and variance report

For more details, instructional videos and to log in to your TRACS account, see TRACS information.

How to authorize a representative

An individual with proper authorization for the business may consent to the release of confidential information about account(s) with TRA to a specific firm and/or individual.

An individual with proper authorization for the business includes a(n):

  • owner
  • partner of a partnership
  • corporate director
  • trustee of an estate
  • individual with delegated authority

Step 1: Fill out the Alberta Consent Form

Step 2: Submit the consent form

  • Submit your completed consent form to TRA.

Step 3: Representative receives PIN (only for TRACS access)

  • TRA will review the consent form to ensure it is complete.
  • TRA will issue a PIN number to the individual via secure e-mail. TRACS access can only be provided to an individual.

The representative must enter the PIN and account number to access TRACS account. See How to access TRACS for instructions.

Tax and levy rates

Publications and forms

Fact sheets

Information circulars

These documents discuss procedural matters and administrative policies and practices for programs administered by TRA. They are updated as necessary and a revision number assigned.

Cross-program information circulars

AITE information circulars

Carbon levy information circulars

Special notices

These documents are used to announce changes to the legislation administered by TRA, or changes to administrative policies and practices carried out by TRA. These notices are time-specific, and meant to be transitory in nature. The information may eventually be incorporated into other publications, such as information circulars or web content.

AITE special notices

Carbon levy special notices

Tobacco tax special notices

Certified software

Forms

If you have trouble opening fillable PDF forms, see the form instructions.

Sign up for updates

Subscribe to TRA's publications and announcements

Contact

Submit forms

Complete your forms and email or fax them to:

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 780-427-0348

Connect with Tax and Revenue Administration

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-3044
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Related

Other programs administered by Tax and Revenue Administration

Tax and levy rates and prescribed interest rates

Fuel Tax Act and Regulations

Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations

Climate Leadership Act and Regulation