20 Strange Items You Won't Believe Are Taxed in Canada

What do smoked fish, automobile air conditioning units and fake boobs have in common? They’re all subject to tax.

We’ve talked about the oddities of Canada’s tax system before — like the tampon tax. But guess what? Because of the Byzantine nature of our tax code, tampons are still taxed, though not as much. Stay tuned, we’ll explain.

The National Post recently combed through Canada’s massive collection of taxes and tariffs to uncover an assortment of things that are subject to tax and some that aren’t. And because Canadian tax laws and rules are always changing, what is taxed today might not be taxed tomorrow. It’s taxing just trying to keep up!

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Tampons

There was a huge outcry back in 2015 about Canada taxing tampons and other feminine hygiene products. The government scrapped the GST portion of the 'tampon tax' on July 1, 2015, but, according to Maclean's there is still a tampon tariff.

RELATED: 14 things you should never pay full price for.

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Foreign Veteran Pensions

If you're receiving a Canadian veteran pension, no worries. But if your veteran's pension is from a country that was not an ally of Canada at the time of war, then you're taxed on it.

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Blank CDs

The National Post says that blank CDs have a levy on them because the government assumes the media is being used to violate copyright.

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Fowl

The Post reports that geese, ducks and turkeys can enter Canada tax-free if they're going to be used for breeding. If they're going to be used for eating, they're taxed.

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Shoes

Shoes valued at under $30 are hit with an 18% tax when entering the country, but, according to the Post, shoes worth more than $30 are taxed at just 11%. Hint, hint.

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Air Conditioned Cars

The National Post reports that cars, trucks and vans that have air conditioning are subject to a $100 tariff. The tax is hidden in the price of the vehicle.

RELATED: 20 easy ways you can save $20 this month.

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Smoked Fish

Imported fish: no tax. Imported smoked fish: taxed at 4%.

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Un-shucked oysters

While we've learned that smoked fish is never invited to the no-tax party, it's also interesting to note that even some fresh seafood gets extra charges. There is a 3% surcharge on un-shucked oysters, according to the Post.

RELATED: top 10 Canadian tax myths.

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Bio-diesel

You'd think 'green' fuels would be taxed less, right? Nope. In BC, according to the Post, bio-diesel has the same carbon tax applied to it as dirty ol' regular diesel. It ain't easy being green.

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Organic Food

If organic food is healthier, surely one can claim it as a medical expense? Unfortunately not. The Canada Revenue Agency says that organic food doesn't count.

RELATED: common tax mistakes Canadians make every year.

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Gym Memberships

If organic food doesn't count, then gym memberships should be free of tax — especially if they encourage people to be healthier, right? Nope, not a chance.

RELATED: this is what BMI looks like across Canada.

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Vitamins and Supplements

Do vitamins and supplements catch a break? No way, says the Post. Keep trying!

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Running Club Memberships

Running club memberships aren't a medical expense either. However, according to the National Post, wheelchairs, seeing-eye dogs and pacemakers are eligible expenses. There is also a children’s fitness tax credit.

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Scientology

In the US, the Church of Scientology has tax-exempt status. In Canada, the Post reports, Scientology doesn't even have charitable status. North of the 49th, Scientology is taxed like a business.

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Bitcoins

Bitcoins are digital currency and aren't a way to skirt taxes. "Barter transaction rules apply where bitcoins are used to purchase goods or services," CRA spokesman Philippe Brideau explained to the National Post.

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Fuel-Inefficient Cars

Canada imposes higher taxes on fuel-inefficient cars, reports the Post. It can add thousands of dollars to the cost of your vehicle. One exception: pick-up trucks.

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Cheese

Is it any wonder people dislike the taxman? Take the case of cheese: the Post says that there are strict quotas on several types of cheese (like brie). Once you hit that limit, you're slapped with a 245% surcharge. Le sigh.

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Grape Juice

Here's another odd one. Wine: taxed heavily and multiple times. Grape juice: 9.5% tax. Grape juice for making wine? Tax-free.

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Gold

The Yukon taxes gold that is mined in the territory and charges a royalty of 2.5 percent on its value. But, according to the National Post, there's a catch. The Yukon applies the tax based on the value of the gold in ounces. But the value of an ounce of gold was fixed, in 1906, at $15. So even though an ounce of gold is worth nearly $1500, the Yukon collects just 37 cents per.

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Enhanced Breasts

The Post reports that since 2010 any procedure that enhances your appearance is taxable and can't be claimed as a medical expense. There are exceptions for surgeries needed to correct a congenital abnormality, accident or disfiguring disease.

RELATED: top 10 Canadian tax myths.