COVID-19 remains a public health threat. Mandatory measures are in effect provincewide.
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.
TRA exploring use of Certificates of Indian Status
TRA is working with Alberta Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services Canada to explore the use of the federal Certificate of Indian Status (status card) as proof of eligibility to purchase fuel or tobacco on reserve tax-exempt.
AITE card expiry dates
AITE cards will no longer expire and retailers must accept any AITE card with an expiry date in 2020 or future years. New and replacement cards must still be applied for. AITE cards no longer need to be renewed and existing cardholders will not receive an updated card.
If your AITE card expired between January 1 and March 31, 2020 and you did not receive a replacement card, you may provide your Certificate of Indian Status card as proof of eligibility.
For more information, see:
- Special Notice Vol. 4 No. 18 – Expiry Dates of Active AITE Cards
- Fact sheet: Expiry dates on AITE Cards
TRA's online services and special notices
Given the current exceptional circumstances surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19, 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.
For COVID-19 updates, visit COVID-19 info for Albertans.
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
The AITE card is issued by Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA) to eligible consumers and bands. 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):
- Right-click on the form link and select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As", and save the form to your computer.
- Launch Adobe Reader.
- 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
AITE cards will no longer expire and retailers must accept any AITE card with an expiry date in 2020 or future years. New and replacement cards must still be applied for. AITE cards no longer need to be renewed and existing cardholders will not receive an updated card.
For more information, see:
- Special Notice Vol. 4 No. 18 – Expiry dates of Active AITE Cards (August 2020)
- Fact sheet: Expiry dates on AITE cards (September 2020)
Step 1: Fill out the AITE Declaration form
- Complete the Alberta Indian/Indian Band Declaration (AT4805) (PDF, 138 KB).
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 4 years from the end of the year in which the fuel was purchased.
Step 1: Complete and submit the claimant registration
- Complete the Carbon Levy Claimant Registration – Indian or Indian Band form (AT5133) (PDF, 1.5 MB) and submit your completed registration form to TRA.
Step 2: Register for TRACS
- Complete the TRACS Enrolment Request to enrol in TRACS or contact TRA.
- Visit the TRACS page for more information.
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
AITE cards will no longer expire and retailers must accept any AITE card with an expiry date in 2020 or future years. New and replacement cards must still be applied for. AITE cards no longer need to be renewed and existing cardholders will not receive an updated card.
If your AITE card expired between January 1 and March 31, 2020 and you did not receive a replacement card, you may provide your Certificate of Indian Status card as proof of eligibility.
For more information, see:
- Special Notice Vol. 4 No. 18 – Expiry dates of Active AITE Cards (August 2020)
- Fact sheet: Expiry dates on AITE cards (September 2020)
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
- registered with TRA under the Tourism Levy Act. See Tourism Levy for more information on how to register and collect the tourism levy.
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:
- AITE Registration (AT4804) (PDF, 835 KB) for tobacco sales and diesel, gasoline and propane for motive use fuels
- Application for Direct Deposit (AT4812) (PDF, 174 KB)
- Contact a certified software vendor from the Vendors Offering Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Service listing.
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
- The AITE retailer or fuel seller fills out an AITE Retailer Refund Application (AT4818) (PDF, 1.4 MB).
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
- Complete an Application for Direct Deposit (AT4812) (PDF, 174 KB).
- Submit the form to TRA along with a copy of a “VOID” blank cheque.
- Funds will only be deposited into one bank account.
How to pay
- Visit Making payments for more information
- Related: TRA prescribed interest rates
Maintain your account in TRACS
TRA Client Self-Service (TRACS) is a secure online system for authorized Tax and Revenue Administration (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
- Complete the Alberta Consent Form (AT4931) (PDF, 328 KB).
- See tip sheet: Representatives – How to Access TRACS (PDF, 66 KB) (December 2020)
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
- Combined chart: Fuel tax and tobacco tax (effective Monday, October 28, 2019)
- Combined chart: Fuel tax, carbon levy and tobacco tax (archived)
- Current and historical tax and levy rates and prescribed interest rates
Publications and forms
Fact sheet
- Expiry dates on AITE cards (September 2020)
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
- TRA-1R1 – An Introduction to Tax and Revenue Administration (March 2018)
- TRA-2 – TRA Fairness and Service Pledge (July 2018)
- TRA-3 – Alberta Commodity Tax Acts – Voluntary Disclosure (November 2018)
AITE information circulars
- AITE-1R5 – Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) Program (October 2020)
- AITE-2R9 – Tax-Exempt Purchases Made by Eligible Consumers (October 2020)
- AITE-3R9 – Tax-Exempt Sales Made by Exempt Sale Retailers, Vendors and Operators (October 2020)
Carbon levy information circulars
- CL-T-4 – Transportation Fuels – Refunds and Rebates (December 2016)
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
- Vol. 4 No. 18 – Expiry dates of Active AITE Cards (August 2020)
- See related fact sheet – AITE cards no longer expire
- Vol. 4 No. 16 – Repeal of the Carbon Levy (May 2019)
- Vol. 4 No. 15 – Tobacco Tax Calculations for AITE Exempt Sale Retailers (June 2007)
- Vol. 4 No. 14 – Purchase of Tobacco from Licensed Wholesalers (March 2005)
- Vol. 4 No. 12 – Sales of Black Stock Tobacco to Ineligible Persons (June 2004)
Carbon levy special notices
- Vol. 11 No. 14 – Repeal of the Carbon Levy (May 2019)
Tobacco tax special notices
- Vol. 3 No. 17 – Tobacco Tax Rate Increase (October 2019)
- Vol. 3 No. 16 – Reporting for Flavoured Tobacco Products (June 2015)
Certified software
Forms
If you have trouble opening fillable PDF forms, see the form instructions.
- AT4804 – Alberta Indian Tax Exemption Retailer Registration (PDF, 835 KB) (March 2018)
- AT4805 – Alberta Indian / Indian Band Declaration (PDF, 138 KB) (August 2018)
- AT4812 – Application for Direct Deposit (PDF, 174 KB) (April 2017)
- AT4818 – Alberta Indian Tax Exemption Retailer Refund Application (PDF, 1.4 MB) (October 2016)
- AT4762 – Notice of Objection (December 2020)
- AT4764 – Request for a Waiver of Penalties and Interest (PDF, 854 KB) (November 2020)
- AT4931 – Alberta Consent Form (PDF, 328 KB) (November 2020)
- See tip sheet: Representatives – How to Access TRACS (PDF, 66 KB) (December 2020)
- AT5133 – Carbon Levy Rebate – Claimant Registration, Indian or Indian Band (PDF, 1.5 MB) (May 2020)
Sign up for updates
Subscribe to TRA's publications and announcements
Contact
To submit forms
Complete your forms and email or fax them to:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 780-427-0348
To 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]