City implements accommodation tax

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF SAULT STE MARIE
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At its meeting of Dec. 10, 2018, Council approved By-law 2018-218 to implement a four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) effective Jan. 1, 2019 in the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

The four per cent fee will be applied to accommodations less than 30 consecutive days and includes accommodations at hotels, motels, motor hotels, lodges, inns, resorts, bed and breakfasts or any place an accommodation is provided.

In accordance with provincial regulations, 60 per cent of the tax will generate funding to promote tourism within the City of Sault Ste. Marie through the non-profit entity previously funded by the industry-led Direct Marketing Fee. The remaining 40 per cent will be retained by the City for tourism promotion and developments.

The provincial government’s Transient Accommodation Regulation 435/17 came into effect on Dec. 1, 2017 and provides the necessary provisions for municipalities to implement a MAT.

More information on the MAT including instructions on completing the MAT return form for businesses is available at the city website.

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