Always a major issue of policing, reporting and remitting, the Provincial Sales Tax has often been an issue of contention for BC's retailers.  Unclear and vague regulations have made it challenging for many merchants to be in 100% compliance and has often lead to audits and fines.

Over the years, Shelfspace has lobbied for both clarity of regulation, as well as a reduction in the rate of the PST.  Out from of many organizations on this issue, Shelfspace has been vocal on the challenges retailers face at the point of sale when having to police this tax.  In October 2004, Shelfspace was successful in contributing to the reduction of the Provincial Sales Tax from 7.5% to 7%.  To this day, we will continue to lobby aggressively in order to reduce the tax further to 6%.

Recently, the provincial government has announced the impending introduction of a 12% HST eliminating the need for the PST.  With retailers welcoming the end of the PST and its vagaries, there are still many retailers who are not supportive of the HST.  Currently, Shelfspace is advocating for you on the issue of Harmonization (HST) in BC in advance of its July 1, 2010 implementation.  To hear the retail perspective, please visit the MerchantHub Blog.