Businesses that sell or lease taxable goods, or sell software or taxable services in B.C., will be able to register to collect the tax starting Wednesday, announced Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto.

Registration for the provincial sales tax opens Jan. 2, 2013. The PST will be re-implemented April 1, 2013.

Businesses can register three ways:

• Online - go to: www.gov.bc.ca/etaxbc/register

Online registration should take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

• In person - go to the nearest Service BC Centre. See locations at: www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca/ - or visit our office at 1802 Douglas St. in Victoria.

• 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.)

Businesses also can get the form at the nearest Service BC Centre, or by calling

1 877 388-4440 to have one mailed to you. Mail or fax the completed form to the address or fax number shown on the form, along with the appropriate documentation.

A new PST number will be assigned once the business registration application is processed.

Quotes:

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

“Our government is committed to ensuring businesses have the support they need to make a smooth transition back to the PST. We’re reaching out with improvements like online registration so that they can focus on running successful businesses.”

Minister of State for Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto -

“This early opportunity to register online is just one of the ways government is working with businesses to help them transition back to the PST. We’re also offering webinars, PST seminars, extended hours for phone assistance and special consultations with tax specialists.”

For more Information

Go to our website: www.PSTinBC.ca

• To read more detailed information about registering to collect PST in Bulletin PST 001, Registering to Collect Provincial Sales Tax.

• To access our new online PST registration service.

• To find out more about reporting and paying PST.

• To sign up to file and pay PST online.

• To request a one-on-one consultation with a PST specialist to answer your PST questions or help with the registration process.

• To check the list of what’s taxable and what’s not.

Quick facts on measures to improve the PST:

• The due date for tax remittance and returns will be moved to the last day of the month to match GST remittance, simplifying administration for business.

• The Hotel Room Tax (eight per cent, as it was before July 2010) now will be incorporated into the PST - no more separate registration, remittance or returns, reducing paperwork.

• Retailers will be allowed to refund tax to customers in a broader range of circumstances.

• Businesses that collect and remit tax will again receive commission of up to $198 per reporting period (typically monthly).

The Province also updated the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code, first introduced in 2005.

For answers to other questions about the PST, please call 1 877 388-4440 or email: CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca

Media contact:

Jamie Edwardson
Communications Director
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821