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provincial sales tax
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
Spelling variants:PST, P.S.T.
n. — Administration, Finance
a value-added tax levied by various provinces.
Type: 1. Origin — Provincial sales tax is levied by a number of Canadian provinces. Some, like Alberta and the Territories, do not levy a PST. Others, like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, have combined the PST with the federal GST (Goods and Services Tax) to create a Harmonized Sales Tax or HST. Although provincial sales taxes were levied as early as the 1930s in Alberta - which later dropped the tax - it appears the abbreviation PST was not used until the 1970s. PST originated and remains most prevalent in Canada (see Chart 1).
See also COD-2, s.v. "PST" (1), which is marked "Cdn".
See also COD-2, s.v. "PST" (1), which is marked "Cdn".
Quotations
1978
Before they arrived the provincial sales tax went down so when I called the salesman to arrange delivery I asked for a reduction. He said there wasn't any sales tax but when I looked at the invoice it said PST was included.
1988
In defending a possible increase in provincial sales tax, Ontario Treasurer Robert Nixon stated that the 7 per cent tax had not been increased since 1973. I would beg to differ on this.
Since I favor a specific brand of casual shoes, I remember buying a pair in 1974 and paying $30 plus $2.10 provincial sales tax. The same shoes bought a few weeks ago cost me $105 plus $7.35 PST - an increase of 350 per cent in the tax.
Both the federal and provincial governments must think that the Canadian public is totally gullible and, rightly so it would seem, or we would all be screaming "foul."
1991
At Shoppers Drug Mart in Park Royal Shopping Centre yesterday, cashiers had their noses buried in duo-tang folders to see whether provincial sales tax, GST or both should be charged on each item.
1995
Regular rooms start at $79, suites at $95 with full breakfast for two. Brace yourself - New Brunswick's P.S.T. is 11 per cent.
2004
Taxes: As a hard working, taxpaying citizen I am concerned about the level of taxation in this country. Most Canadians now pay about 40 per cent on income tax. Add to this GST, PST, fuel tax, property tax and licensing fees. Canadians are almost being taxed to death. Enough is enough! It is time for tax cuts. It is time to cut government spending.
2009
British Columbia will adopt a 12% harmonized sales tax next July, a move that will save businesses $1.9 billion, the provincial government announced yesterday.
The tax will combine the 5% federal goods and services tax with the province's 7% provincial sales tax.
2013
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce last week called for the government to trash the PST, calling it an "abysmal tax.
"We can't wait for the PST to do more damage before we act," chamber president John Winter said in a release.
"This tax stunts business growth in B.C., scares away Canadian or international businesses that might come grow jobs here and mires everybody in red tape and nonsensical rules. Frankly, it's an embarrassing tax."
2015
Generally, the harmonized sales tax (HST) applies to the same base of property (for example, goods) and services as the GST. HST is imposed in provinces that have harmonized their provincial sales tax with the GST; these provinces are referred to as the “participating provinces”.
The participating provinces are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
In the remaining provinces and territories, GST is imposed on taxable goods and services. In these provinces, there may also be a provincial sales tax or a retail sales tax in place.
References
- COD-2
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