New tools and information are now available for businesses to learn the steps they need to take when the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) replaces the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) next spring.
The PST is being re-implemented on April 1, 2013, with all permanent exemptions. Consumers will pay PST only on those goods and services that were subject to the tax before July 1, 2010. Consumers will again not pay PST on purchases, such as food, restaurant meals, bicycles, gym memberships, movie tickets and others, or for personal services, including haircuts.
Over the coming weeks and months, businesses will be able to participate in online webinars and in-person seminars.
South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) manager Angela Cole says it is offering a local webinar for business owners through Community Futures in Williams Lake.
The Returning to Provincial Sales Tax seminar takes place Dec. 3, 1-2 p.m., with a fee of $25.
Hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver, it will be delivered to other locations via live video conference.
“We have also put information on our Facebook page [South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce] that will help guide business owners through the process.
“It is important that new staff is trained and that accounting departments are informed on how to register.”
To register, visit the Facebook page or contact the SCCC at 250-395-6124. Callers may also obtain advice on transitioning, or contact information for questions.
If there is a need or sufficient interest, Cole adds the SCCC can also set up further seminars prior to the PST implementation.
A recent province-wide mailing to more than 160,000 businesses and new tax bulletins posted online are among the ways government is helping keep businesses informed in advance of the transition date.
Services available to businesses with questions include:
• One-on-one consultations with a ministry tax specialist – submit a request online.
• Calling a toll-free number (1-877-388-4440) with questions about the new PST.
• Emailing questions to CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca.
A new PST notice, General Transitional Rules for the Re-Implementation of the Provincial Sales Tax, has now been issued. The transition rules describe how and when PST applies to transactions that straddle April 1, 2013.
They should be read in conjunction with federal transitional rules for the elimination of the HST in British Columbia. The rules outlined in the notice are subject to the approval of the legislature.
Registration for PST will start on Jan. 2, 2013. Victoria has issued a bulletin, Registering to Collect PST, to help businesses understand whether they need to register.
Links to these bulletins and notices, the online sign-up form for the one-on-one tax consultations and the federal transitional rules, along with additional information about the return to the PST, can be found in the business section of: www.PSTinBC.ca
A new e-services option, eTaxBC, will also be available for online registration, return filing and payment and account maintenance.
