63% of BC Businesses unprepared for PST Transition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, December 17, 2012 – A recent survey by the BC Chamber of Commerce has revealed that 63% of businesses do not feel prepared for the transition back to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on April 1, 2013.

“There are many PST resources now available that BC businesses need to avail themselves of and be made aware of,” said John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “Many new businesses in BC have never collected the PST, and need brought up to speed so that consumers are not negatively impacted at the cash register come April.”

In total 970 businesses across British Columbia took part in the PST business survey. Of those, 62% were not aware of the changes that will be made to the PST, and 73% did not feel they had received adequate information. Through the depth and breadth of the Chamber of Commerce Network in BC, the BC Chamber was able to reach businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions of the province.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for Chambers of Commerce to work cooperatively with the Provincial Government to make sure this knowledge gap is filled,” continued Winter. “Together we can ensure that the coming transition is a smooth one.”

For more information on the transition back to the PST, businesses are encouraged to contact their local Chamber of Commerce, the BC Chamber website or any of the resources from the Provincial Government.

The PST is being re-implemented on April 1, 2013, with all permanent exemptions.

The BC Chamber is the largest and most broadly based business organization in the province. Representing over 120 Chambers of Commerce and 32,000 businesses of every size, sector and region of the province the BC Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business in BC.”

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For further details contact;

John Winter T 604.638.8110
President & CEO C 604.376.3577
BC Chamber of Commerce E jwinter@bcchamber.org