CRA GST/HST Wedding Planner, Event Coordinator & Bridal Services Audit — Montreal CPA Firm Near You: Defending Taxable Service Fees, Vendor Markups, Subcontractors & ITCs

A CRA GST/HST Wedding Planner & Event Coordinator Audit targets:

• wedding planners
• event coordinators
• day-of coordinators
• bridal event managers
• corporate event planners
• party & social event organizers
• micro-wedding planners
• luxury event concierge services
• subcontracted assistants
• planners who resell vendor services (DJ, décor, photography, floral)

This is an extremely high-risk audit category because wedding/event planning includes 100% taxable services, vendor markups, client deposits, subcontractor payments, and complex multi-vendor invoicing — all areas CRA heavily scrutinizes.

Mackisen CPA Montreal specializes in defending wedding planners & event managers by reconstructing vendor flows, classifying taxable services, validating subcontractors, and rebuilding ITCs.

Legal Foundation

Excise Tax Act

• s.165 — ALL event-planning & coordination services are fully taxable

• s.221 — GST/HST must be charged on all invoices, including vendor markups

• s.169 — strict ITC documentation requirements

• s.141.01 — allocation rules for mixed-use expenses (software, décor tools, travel)

• Schedule IX — GST/HST rate based on location of event

• s.123(1) — defines “service,” “coordination,” “agency,” “resale”

Case Law & CRA Rulings

• Event planning = taxable service, no exemption

• Vendor markup = taxable

• Resold vendor services = taxable

• Travel/time charges = taxable

• Royal Bank v. Canada — incomplete invoices void ITCs

• CRA: deposits held by event planners = taxable consideration

Learning insight: There is no exemption for ANY wedding or event planning service — every component is taxable.

Why CRA Audits Wedding Planners & Event Coordinators

Revenue Risks

• GST/HST not charged on planning packages
• vendor markups not taxed
• décor coordination treated as exempt
• day-of coordination taxed incorrectly
• cash/e-transfer deposits underreported
• multi-payment wedding packages not recorded in correct GST periods
• destination weddings misrated
• emergency last-minute fees missing GST
• venue/décor/photographer subcontracting incorrectly billed

Subcontractor Risks

• assistant coordinators not registered for GST
• subcontractors paid cash
• missing subcontractor invoices
• T4A exposure for improperly classified contractors
• invalid GST numbers

ITC Risks

• missing invoices for:
– décor supplies
– staging & lighting accessories
– travel & mileage
– software (planning apps, CRM systems, Canva, Adobe)
– business meals (often non-deductible, not ITC-eligible)
– printing, stationery, signage
– props, tools, emergency kits
• imported décor supplies missing s.218 self-assessment
• personal-use props or clothing claimed as ITCs
• mixed-use expenses (cell phone, home office) misallocated

Operational Risks

• missing event timelines/logs
• inconsistent vendor invoicing
• deposits not tied to specific events
• “pass-through” vendor expenses not documented
• planner acting as both agent and principal incorrectly
• group packages not itemized
• event cancellations/refunds not adjusted for GST

High-risk operators:

• independent wedding planners

• boutique event-planning firms

• planners using subcontract assistants

• luxury planners with large deposits

• planners who “bundle” vendor services into one invoice

Learning insight: CRA assumes underreported deposits + markup issues + missing subcontractor documentation unless proven otherwise.

CRA Wedding Planner Audit Process

1. CRA requests:
   – client contracts & wedding packages
   – invoices (planning, coordination, décor, travel)
   – subcontractor invoices + GST numbers
   – vendor invoices (florists, DJs, décor companies, venues)
   – bank statements & e-transfer records
   – deposit records
   – software invoices (CRM, planning platforms)
   – travel logs (mileage, parking, trips)
   – ITC spreadsheets
   – imported décor/tool purchases
   – event timelines

2. CRA tests:
   • GST/HST charged on all planning/coordinating services
   • markup vs agency rule
   • subcontractor GST/HST validation
   • ITC documentation completeness & eligibility
   • event logs → invoices → deposits → GST returns
   • imported décor → self-assessment
   • destination or interprovincial weddings → correct GST/HST rate
   • refund/cancellation accuracy

3. CRA issues Proposed Audit Adjustment.

4. Mackisen CPA builds complete legal + documentary defense.

Learning insight: CRA reconstructs events using contracts, deposits, vendor invoices, and social media posting timelines.

Mackisen CPA’s Wedding Planner Audit Defense Strategy

• build a Wedding-Service Tax Matrix (planning, décor, vendor markup, travel, coordination)
• reconstruct invoices with compliant GST/HST structure
• validate subcontractor GST registration
• rebuild full ITC binder (software, décor, travel, equipment)
• correct agency vs principal GST rules
• reconcile contracts → deposits → invoices → GST filings
• defend GST on vendor markups
• rebuild imported-tool self-assessment (s.218)
• prepare CPA-certified CRA audit binder
• negotiate removal of penalties & interest

Learning insight: Event planners win audits through evidence organization + subcontractor compliance + ITC precision.

Common CRA Findings in Wedding Planner Audits

• GST/HST not charged on:
– planning packages
– vendor sourcing
– décor setup
– day-of coordination
– travel/time fees
• subcontractor invoices invalid
• ITCs denied due to missing receipts
• imported décor supplies missing tax
• bank deposits exceed reported revenue
• incorrectly treating vendor charges as exempt “pass-throughs”
• destination weddings misrated
• failure to charge GST on markups

Learning insight: Markup errors & subcontractor failures generate the largest reassessments.

Real-World Results

• A luxury wedding planner avoided a $267,000 reassessment after Mackisen CPA rebuilt subcontractor and vendor-flow documentation.
• A corporate event planner reversed a $143,000 ITC denial by providing complete software, décor, and travel receipts.
• A wedding-coordinator team eliminated penalties by correcting GST on package fees & vendor markups.
• A planner offering both décor and coordination services cleared CRA findings through full contract→deposit→GST reconciliation.

Learning insight: CRA backs down when shown CPA-organized, event-by-event evidence.

SEO Optimization & Educational Value

Primary keywords: GST/HST wedding planner audit, CRA event coordinator audit, taxable event services Canada, Mackisen CPA Montreal
Secondary keywords: vendor markup GST rules, subcontractor audit events, wedding service GST/HST, event planning ITC denial

Learning insight: Wedding & event audits produce significant SEO traffic due to widespread pricing confusion.

Why Mackisen CPA Montreal

With 35+ years defending wedding planners, event coordinators, décor specialists & corporate event managers, Mackisen CPA Montreal is Québec’s #1 authority in GST/HST event-sector audits.
We understand vendor management, subcontractor networks, package pricing, and CRA audit methodology deeply.

Learning insight: Event audits require deposit tracking, service breakdown, subcontractor compliance, and ITC discipline — all strengths of Mackisen CPA.

Call to Action

If CRA is auditing your wedding planner, event coordination, decor setup, or vendor-management business, contact Mackisen CPA Montreal immediately:

📞 514-276-0808
📧 info@mackisen.com
🌐 mackisen.com

Learning Conclusion:

A CRA GST/HST Wedding Planner Audit tests taxable service fees, vendor markups, subcontractor compliance, ITC documentation, deposit reporting & provincial GST rules.
Mackisen CPA Montreal ensures your business is fully defended and protected from reassessments.