Businesses that want to learn about returning to Provincial Sales Tax (PST) can participate in interactive webinars running twice a week until March 28.
Businesses that are required to collect PST must register by April 1.
Webinars will cover the general principles of the PST and the new eTaxBC online business registration service. A schedule of upcoming webinars is online at www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach.
Government is reaching out to businesses across British Columbia to ensure they have the support they need to make a smooth transition back to the PST on April 1.
Additional tools and services available to help businesses prepare for the re-implementation of the PST include:
• One-on-one consultations with a government tax specialist.
• In-person seminars covering the general principles of the PST and eTaxBC.
• PST bulletins and notices.
• Online videos, including Returning to the PST – An Overview for Business, and PST in B.C. Online Registration.
• Businesses with questions about the PST can call our toll-free help line at 1-877-388-4440 or e-mail questions to CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca.
• Final regulations and legislation to re-implement the PST on April 1 are now available.
Fast Bytes
• Businesses that sell or lease taxable goods, or sell software or taxable services in British Columbia must register to obtain a new PST number, even if they have an old PST number.
• Businesses can register three ways, including online – go to www.gov.bc.ca/etaxbc/register in person – go to the nearest Service BC Centre. See locations at www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca/; and by mail or fax – complete the Application for Registration for Provincial Sales Tax (FIN 418) found at www.gov.bc.ca/pst (Go to Forms and Publications).
• A new PST number will be assigned once the business registration application is processed.
• Register for the next webinar by completing the online registration form at www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach.
• View the presentation from previous webinar sessions at www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach.
• Learn more about the services available to businesses to support the transition to PST at www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach.
• The following documents are now available at www.gov.bc.ca/pst – an unofficial consolidation of the Provincial Sales Tax Act prepared on Feb. 28, 2013; PST regulations approved and ordered effective Feb. 28, 2013; an unofficial consolidation of the Motor Fuel Tax Act prepared on Feb. 28, 2013; and an unofficial consolidation of the New Housing Transition tax and Rebate Act prepared on Feb. 28, 2013.