Businesses can sign up now to have a government PST specialist review their accounting and reporting systems to ensure their systems are properly set up to comply with provincial sales tax laws, announced Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto.

The PST education program is a general review of a business' accounts and systems to ensure they are set up correctly to collect, report, remit and pay the PST. It is not a records or transactional review; however, a small sample of invoices may be used to help with the system review.

The education program is not an audit, so businesses won't be issued a tax assessment for any errors noted. If the PST hasn't been correctly paid, collected, or remitted, the business will be advised of the corrective actions needed and will have the opportunity to correct the mistakes on their next PST return. If the business doesn't correct the errors noted in the review and undergoes a future audit, the errors would be subject to an assessment, plus any applicable penalties and interest.

Businesses with no prior PST experience and small to medium businesses would benefit most from this service, although it is available to all businesses operating in B.C. Government will try to reach as many businesses as possible to promote voluntary compliance with the PST.

For more information or to complete the online registration form to request an appointment, visit www.gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach. If you have any difficulties registering online, call us toll-free at 1 877 388-4440.

This outreach program replaces the one-on-one consultations with a PST specialist.

Quotes:

Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto:

"This new program will help businesses-especially those with no prior PST experience-that are registered for the PST, but aren't quite sure if their systems and accounts are set up correctly. This program provides a valuable, penalty-free opportunity to make sure their accounts and systems comply with the new provincial sales tax laws.

"I urge any businesses not yet registered for the PST to do so right way. With the first return for most businesses due on May 31, 2013, businesses will need to resolve any of their transitional issues before a remittance is due. You can register 24/7 with our convenient online registration service, or call our toll-free line if you have questions."

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 for the PST three ways:
• Online, anywhere at any time - 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).
• Other tools and services available to help businesses prepare for the re-implementation of the PST include:
• Online webinars covering the general principles of the PST and eTaxBC.
• PST bulletins and notices, as well as legislation and regulations, are available at www.gov.bc.ca/pst.
• Videos online:
• Return to PST Overview
• PST Online Registration
• File and Pay PST
• Businesses with questions about the PST or our outreach programs can call our toll-free general enquiry line - 1 877 388-4440 - or email questions to: CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca.

Learn More:

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

All legislation and regulations to re-implement the PST are complete and available on the publications page at www.gov.bc.ca/pst.

Consumers and businesses can find a guide to what's taxable and what's not, including exemptions at: www.gov.bc.bc/pst.

Contact:

Jamie Edwardson
Communications Director
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821