PST one step closer to April 1 deadline
By Contributor
The final legislation and regulations to re-implement the Provincial Sales Tax on April 1, 2013, is now complete, giving businesses all the information they need for a successful transition, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced.
The final legislative amendments to the Provincial Sales Tax Act have received royal assent and the regulations to bring it into force on April 1, 2013, have been approved by cabinet.
To help businesses prepare, government is also making available unofficial consolidated versions of the Provincial Sales Tax Act, Motor Fuel Tax Act and the New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act reflecting the amendments made in Bill 2.
Government is running an extensive business outreach program to have businesses register for PST and to help them understand their obligations.
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 already had one under the previous PST.
It’s estimated that more than 70,000 businesses still need to register for the PST to ensure they are ready to collect the PST on April 1, 2013.
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.)
