I hope that this letter finds you well and you have had a great harvest season.

Transcription

1 January 2018 Dear Christmas Tree Growers and Brokers in Nova Scotia, I hope that this letter finds you well and you have had a great harvest season. In order to be the voice of the industry in Nova Scotia, to promote real, fresh and local trees, to pursue research activities and support growers, even to provide the Journal that you re reading, the Christmas Tree Council looks to a number of sources for its annual budget. One of the major sources of funding comes from the levy paid on Christmas trees by growers and exporters. Recently I have heard some confusion about who is responsible for remitting the levy. It might be most simple to think about it as a cost of the grower the broker or exporter might send it in, but they will be deducting it from what is paid or payable to the grower. There has also been some confusion with the definition of roadside value, and all of the math that goes along with it. At a recent Council meeting, a motion was passed to establish the roadside value of trees at $10/tree, meaning that levy of $0.10 will be payable on all trees harvested in Nova Scotia. For those who produce trees with a roadside value of less than $10/ tree, they may continue to send in 1% of the roadside value of the trees along with copies of the invoices where those trees were sold. It s reasonably straightforward if a grower sells trees directly to the end user. For each tree they sell, they need to report the sales and remit 10 cents per tree to Council by February 1st. If you sell your trees to a broker, and they market them on your behalf, the broker should deduct an amount equal to 10 cents per tree from what you are paid for your trees, and this should be shown on the invoice or cheque stub (so, for the $10 worth of trees sold, you would be paid $9.90, and $0.10 would be sent to Council). If you sell your trees to an exporter, then the last person to touch the trees in Nova Scotia should be sending in 10 cents per tree, but ultimately it is the grower s responsibility. If in doubt, please get in touch with me (angus@ctcns.com or NSBALSA) and I ll be happy to discuss it with you. Please find enclosed the Levy Form that you will be required to submit prior to February 1st for your 2017 sales. As you are aware, in accordance with the Christmas Tree Levy Regulations, anyone who sells Christmas trees in Nova Scotia must remit the attached levy form by February 1st. This letter confirms your registration with Council as required under the Christmas Tree Levy Regulations. Do we have your address? Has your mailing address or other contact details changed? Please let us know! angus@ctcns.com

2 If you are a Grower: You are required to ensure the arrangement with the Broker concerning levy submission is clearly stated on the invoice to avoid any confusion. If you sell to a Broker from outside of Nova Scotia you are responsible for ensuring that your levy has been remitted. You may want to check with them as some out of province Brokers do remit the levy for their suppliers. If you are a Broker: Please remember that you are responsible for deducting the levy and reporting the deduction along with the levy form no later than February 1st. If one of your Growers insists on remitting his/her own levy, please make sure that this is noted on the sales invoice to ensure that this agreement is clearly documented. Further, we must emphasize how important it is to supply the contact information for the Grower(s) from whom you purchased the trees. The contact information allows us to coordinate the levy remittance with the family operation actually selling these trees. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated. Audit: Although the majority of our Christmas Tree Growers ( Producers ) do a good job of complying with the levy regulations, the reality is that not all do so, which makes for inequality in the industry. In order to improve the fairness of the system it will be my job to monitor the levy remittances and may exercise Council s powers under the Regulations to ensure compliance. As you are aware, section 8(2) of the Regulations provides that an audit can to be carried out on Producers and Brokers. The Levy Compliance Committee of the Council has decided to conduct an audit of levy remittances. Please note that if your farm is selected for the sample audit, we will contact you to make arrangements for the audit at your farm/office. The levy required under the Christmas Tree Levy Regulations provides Council with operating funds to carry out its work on various fronts. Without the levy, we could not function. Given that all members benefit from the activities and initiatives, it is fair and equitable that everyone pays their levy. Please remember to: Complete all fields in the attached form, and sign it. Let us know if there were no sales - it is still important for compliance as we need to provide the appropriate entry in our computer system. Remit on the roadside value of the trees, not a baled or loaded price. Be fair to yourself Remember the HST Return the form by the deadline (February 1st), even if you don t send payment with the form, we can make those arrangements. However you must submit the form on time to be compliant with the Regulations. Growers know that if your Broker is from out of the Province it is your responsibility to remit. Ensure that if you have arrangements with the out of Province Broker for the Broker to remit that this information is documented on the sales invoice and you provide the information with your Levy Form. Best wishes for a safe and successful New Year, Angus Bonnyman, CPA, CA Executive Director 2

3 Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Levy GROWER Remittance Form HST # RT Harvest For an electronic version - please info@ctcns.com Please use this form if you did not purchase trees from any other grower. Please use the BROKER form if you purchased trees from other growers. Vendor-Producer/Broker: Street/Box #: Town: Postal/ZIP Code: Province/State: address: Phone #: Total number of trees harvested in 2017 season: Total number of trees sold to a broker (provide details below) in 2017 season, on which levy has been deducted by the broker: (a): (b): Total number of trees on which I owe levy: (a) - (b) : x $0.10/tree Add 15% If you have sold trees to a broker who is responsible for remitting the levy, please provide details below, attach another sheet as required: Total Broker Name Broker Address Phone # Invoice # Invoice Date Number of trees sold Roadside Value ($10/tree, or actual, supported by invoices) levy remitted (roadside value X 0.01) HST on levy (levy remitted x 0.15) Totals: I / We hereby verify that the information provided is true and accurate. Don't forget the HST Signed: Name (print): Date: Forms must be received on or before February 1st. Please return the completed form and payment to: CTCNS PO Box 8, Tatamagouche, NS B0K1V0 If for any reason you are unable to make a payment on or before February 1st, please send the form along with your proposed payment arrangement to avoid penalties. 3

4 Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Levy BROKER Remittance Form HST # RT Harvest For an electronic version - please info@ctcns.com Please use this form if you purchased trees from any other grower. Please use the GROWER form if you did not purchase trees from other growers. Vendor-Producer/Broker: Street/Box #: Town: Province/State: Postal/ZIP Code: address: Phone #: Total number of trees harvested in 2017 season: Total number of trees purchased from other growers (provide details below) in 2017 season: (a): (b): Total trees sold in 2017: (a) + (b) : Total number of trees purchased from other growers who are remitting their own levy (provide details below and attach copy of invoice/purchase order) in 2017 season: Subtract: Total number of trees on which I/we owe levy: Total: x $0.10/tree Add 15% Total Please provide details of trees purchased from other growers, including the following information. You may use a report from your system, provided that all of the necessary information is included. Grower Name Growers Address Phone # Invoice # Invoice Date Number of trees sold Roadside Value ($10/tree, or actual, supported by invoices) levy remitted (roadside value X 0.01) HST on levy (levy remitted x 0.15) Example: Angus Bonnyman 555 Main St, Tatamagouche, NS B0K1V NSBALSA 123 Nov 29/ $20.00 $3.00 I / We hereby verify that the information provided is true and accurate. Totals: Don't forget the HST Signed: Name (print): Date: 4 Forms must be received on or before February 1st. Please return the completed form and payment to: CTCNS PO Box 8, Tatamagouche, NS B0K1V0 If for any reason you are unable to make a payment on or before February 1st, please send the form along with your proposed payment arrangement to avoid penalties.

5 January 2018 Dear Nova Scotia Christmas tree grower, As in previous years, the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia is pleased to promote listings for wholesale, retail and choose and cut operations on our two websites: and Note that only those who have paid their levy for the past two years will be eligible to be listed. 1) Wholesaler listings: As has been done in the past, we offer a combo package, wherein you can choose to advertise on the Nova Scotia site alone, or the Canadian ( and Nova Scotia sites together. Cost: Nova Scotia site only Nova Scotia and Canadian sites $ HST $ HST See Wholesaler listing on Nova Scotia/Canadian websites form attached. Forms will be processed as received (no deadline, but the sooner you send it, the sooner we can get your listing up on the website). 2) Choose and cut/retail listings: We will reconfirm your listing in September 2018, but please send the form now to ensure your lot is listed. There is no cost for listing your choose and cut or retail lot, whether it is located in Nova Scotia or further afield, on the website so long as you are a member of one of the regional associations. Non-members may list their operations for a fee of $25 + HST. These listings are also promoted through various other channels, including Facebook, during the harvest. See Choose and cut/retail listings form attached. Updates will be made as forms are received and listings will be carried until January Please contact Brittany in case of any questions at outreach@ctcns.com or NSBALSA. Interested in receiving a copy of Council s financial statements? Please angus@ctcns.com Kind regards, Angus Bonnyman, CPA, CA Executive Director angus@ctcns.com 5

6 Wholesaler listing on Nova Scotia/Canadian websites (forms will be processed as received and fee covers listing through next January) Please select one option: Please list me on both the Nova Scotia and Canadian sites Please list me on the Nova Scotia site only Cheque enclosed for $ Mail to: Brittany Frenette Outreach Coordinator, CTCNS PO Box 8, Tatamagouche, NS B0K1V0 $ ($100 + HST) $57.50 ($50 + HST) Name: (Personal name) Business Name: Address: (Street address) PO Box or RR # Town: Province: Postal code: Phone: (Work) Cellular: Phone: (Home) Facsimile: Website: Social media: Details (# of trees & species available): Brush (lbs or bales): # of Wreaths: Message (40 words or less) : Picture: include copy for scan or outreach@ctcns.com. Any translation of text into French, Spanish or Portuguese is the responsibility of the grower and should be discussed with the Outreach Coordinator in advance. Translated materials must be submitted electronically. Office use only : Levy remitted Website updated Receipt issued 6

7 Choose and cut/retail listings If you would like your choose and cut and/or retail operation listed on Please fill out the following form and return to: Brittany Frenette Outreach Coordinator, CTCNS PO Box 8, Tatamagouche, NS B0K1V0 Even if you are already listed on the website, please submit this form to confirm that you plan to operate in We will reconfirm the listings in September Name: (Personal name) Business Name: Type of business (please check all that apply): Choose and cut Retail Civic location of business (Street address): PO Box or RR #: Town: Province: Postal code: If your retail lot is in the parking lot of a local business, please provide the name: Phone (number for customers to call during season): Phone (Home): Cellular: Website: Message (40 words or less) : Office use only : Levy remitted Member/Fee Paid Website updated 7

8 Are you a member? The Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia is the umbrella organization, or coordinating body, for the three regionally based Christmas tree grower associations in Nova Scotia. The Associations are the Lunenburg County Christmas Tree Producers Association (LCCTPA) serving the South Shore of Nova Scotia Cobequid Christmas Tree Producers Association (CCTPA) serving central Nova Scotia area of the Province Northeastern Christmas Tree Association (NeCTA) serving Northeastern Nova Scotia. There are many benefits to becoming a member of one of the three regional associations Networking: As a member of the "Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia", the "Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association" and the "National Christmas Tree Association", members of Regional Associations are well connected to growers and markets throughout North America. Farm Vehicle Registration: As a member of a regional association each grower with 5 or more acres of trees is entitled to special "farm registration" rates for vehicles used in the business. Quarterly Journal: Members receive complimentary printed copies of the "Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Journal (subscriptions for non-members are available at a cost of $30 + HST). Members can also place classified ads free of charge. Technical Information: Members have access to information on cultural techniques, integrated pest management, marketing and research activities pertaining to the Christmas tree industry. Events: Field Days, Seminars and Training Courses are provided to members at greatly reduced rates. Pesticide Points: Members of the LCCTPA are eligible to participate in the "Pesticide Re-certification" program, which enables them to collect credits towards the renewal of their application license. Promotion: Members are eligible for a free listing of their retail lot or choose-and-cut operation on (the cost for non-members $25 + HST) For links to the Association websites or more information, visit: or Call Brittany at NSBALSA, ext 1 We ve moved! After several years of calling the NS Federation of Agriculture home, we have moved our operations. Please take a moment to note our new contact details: Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia PO Box 8, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0 info@ctcns.com NSBALSA Brittany Frenette, Outreach Coordinator, Ext 1, outreach@ctcns.com Angus Bonnyman, Executive Director, Ext 3, angus@ctcns.com Sheryl Dubois, Journal Editor, Ext 2, journal@ctcns.com Sara Forbes, Bookkeeper, Ext 1, accounting@ctcns.com