B.C. business owners or those starting a business will benefit from the new Small Business Guide to PST, announced Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto.

The guide explains the basics of B.C.'s PST and how it applies to goods and services for businesses.

The Small Business Guide to PST is easy to navigate and covers PST registration, refunds to customers, audits and appeals, keeping books and records, and the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code. For more information, go online for the Small Business Guide to PST: http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/brochures/SmallBusinessGuide.pdf

As committed, the PST was re-implemented on April 1, 2013, with all permanent exemptions. Businesses and consumers can find a general guide to what's taxable and what's not, under Publications at: www.gov.bc.ca/pst

Tools and services available to help businesses prepare for the re-implementation of the PST include:

• The convenient online eTaxBC PST registration tool at: www.gov.bc.ca/eTaxBC/register

• 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

• File and Pay PST in B.C.

• Businesses with questions about the PST can call our toll-free general enquiry line - 1 877 388-4440 or email questions to: CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca

Businesses can sign up to have a ministry PST specialist review their accounting and reporting systems to ensure their systems are properly set up to comply with the provincial sales tax laws. This PST education program replaces the one-on-one consultations with a PST specialist.

Businesses with no prior PST experience and small to medium businesses would benefit the most from this service. The ministry will try to reach as many businesses as possible to promote voluntary compliance with the PST.

For more information on the program 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.

Quotes:

Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto -

"With the reintroduction of the Provincial Sales Tax on April 1, 2013, government continues to support businesses as they make the transition to the two-tax PST and GST system. The Small Business Guide to PST will help business owners who have questions about what is taxable and what is not, registering, and remittance-essentially everything business owners need to know to ensure a smooth transition to PST.

"More than 85,000 businesses in British Columbia have registered to collect PST and that number is growing. Registered businesses, as well as those preparing to register, will have questions. In addition to informational webinars and a toll-free help line, this guide provides plain-language answers to those 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 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

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

Contact:

Jamie Edwardson
Communications Director
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821