Businesses in Smithers that want to learn about returning to the PST can take part in a seminar on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Businesses that are required to collect PST must register by April 1, 2013.

Held in partnership with the Smithers Chamber of Commerce, this seminar will cover the general principles of the PST and the new eTaxBC online business registration service.

Seminars are being held in over 40 B.C. communities between January 14, 2013 and March 26, 2013. 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.

If you are unable to attend the seminar, you can register for one of the upcoming webinars that will run twice a week until March 28, 2013.

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 online:
• 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

• Final regulations and legislation to re-implement the PST on April 1, 2013 are now available.

Quick Facts:

• Businesses that sell or lease taxable goods, or sell software or taxable services in B.C. must register to obtain a new PST number, even if they have an old PST number.

• 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

Register for the next webinar by completing the online registration form: 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.

• An unofficial consolidation of the New Housing Transition tax and Rebate Act prepared on Feb. 28, 2013.

Media Contact:

Janet Stewart
Communications Manager
Ministry of Finance
250 356-9872