Updated Jan. 21, 2013 - to correct event date

VICTORIA - Businesses in interior communities that want to learn about returning to PST are invited to take part in seminars being held in partnership with local chambers of commerce. These seminars will cover the general principles of the PST and the new eTaxBC online business registration service.

Seminars are scheduled for Kamloops on Monday, Jan. 21, Revelstoke on Tuesday, Jan. 22, Enderby on Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Penticton on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013.

More seminars will be held in over 50 B.C. communities. An interactive map with locations and other details can be viewed at: http://goo.gl/maps/vy08w Please check with your local chamber of commerce for further details.

Government is partnering with chambers of commerce across B.C. to ensure businesses have the support they need to make a smooth transition back to the PST on April 1, 2013.

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.
• Online webinars covering the general principles of the PST and eTaxBC.
• PST bulletins and notices.

Videos:

• Returning to the PST - An Overview for Business
• PST in B.C. Online Registration
• Businesses with questions about the PST can call our toll-free help line - 1 877 388-4440 or email questions to: CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca
• A courtesy copy of the draft consolidation of the PST statute that would take effect April 1, 2013, subject to approval of the legislature.

Quick Facts:

Businesses that sell or lease taxable goods, or sell software or taxable services in B.C., are now able to register to collect the tax.

Businesses can register three ways:

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/ - 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.)

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

Learn More:

Learn more about the services available to businesses to support the transition to PST: www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach

Find a seminar near you using the PST Outreach Map: http://goo.gl/maps/vy08w

More information on the return to PST and links to publications, tools and services can be found at: www.gov.bc.ca/pst

Media Contact:

Janet Stewart
Communications Manager
Ministry of Finance
250 356-9872