GST and PST, filed on schedule
BC businesses deal with two sales taxes run by two governments: the 5% federal GST through the CRA, and the 7% provincial PST through the BC Ministry of Finance. We prepare both returns from books that are already reconciled, so every figure on a return traces back to your statements.
Part of your package, by filing frequency
How GST and PST work for BC businesses
GST is a 5% federal tax administered by the Canada Revenue Agency. Registered businesses charge it on taxable sales, claim back the GST they pay on business expenses as input tax credits, and remit the difference. BC's provincial sales tax is separate: 7% on most taxable goods, software, and some services, with its own registration, returns, and rules through the BC Ministry of Finance.
Because the two taxes follow different rules about what's taxable, they're easy to get wrong in both directions — charging tax you shouldn't, or missing tax you owed on your own purchases. Keep them in separate accounts every month and the returns are straightforward.
What's included
- GST returns at your assigned filing frequency — monthly, quarterly, or annual
- Input tax credits (ITCs) tracked and claimed on eligible business expenses
- BC PST returns filed through eTaxBC
- PST self-assessed on taxable purchases where the seller didn't charge it
- What you collected, claimed, and filed reconciled every period
How it works
Tracked as it happens
GST and PST collected and paid are coded separately as transactions come in.
Reconciled each period
Tax accounts tied out against sales and purchases before anything is filed.
Returns prepared
GST and PST returns prepared at your filing frequency.
Filed on time
Returns filed before the deadline, with any balance owing flagged in advance.
Who this is for
- You're approaching the $30,000 GST registration threshold
- You collect PST and file returns through eTaxBC
- You've never been sure your input tax credits are complete
- You buy software or equipment from sellers outside BC
The details
When you need to register for GST
Most businesses must register once taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters — the small supplier threshold. Registering earlier can make sense if you have significant start-up costs, because only registrants can claim input tax credits.
Where PST catches people out
PST applies to many goods, software, and some services sold in BC — and it also applies to things you buy. Equipment or software bought from a seller who didn't charge BC PST usually has to be self-assessed. It's one of the first gaps we check for when reviewing a new file.
Common questions
What happens if I've missed GST or PST returns?
Late filing generally means penalties and interest on any balance owing, and CRA can assess an amount itself if returns aren't filed at all. Missed returns are handled as a one-time catch-up project before monthly filing begins.
How is GST and PST filing priced?
It's part of your monthly package. Annual GST filing is in every package. Filing more often, and BC PST, are added by how often you file, and Business Plus and Operations include both. Your estimate shows each charge as its own line.
How often do I file GST returns?
CRA assigns a reporting period based on your revenue: annual, quarterly, or monthly. Smaller businesses are usually annual filers by default, but you can choose to file more often — for example, to receive refunds sooner.
Do I charge PST on services?
Only some services are subject to BC PST — for example, legal services, telecommunication services, and repairs to taxable goods. BC planned to add accounting (bookkeeping included), architectural, engineering, geoscience, security, and non-residential real estate services from October 1, 2026, but paused that change on September 21, 2026 with no new start date, so those services are not subject to PST today. The BC Ministry of Finance publishes bulletins that set out the rules by industry.
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