Reporting and paying security for tobacco wholesalers

Last updated: October 19, 2020

You can report and pay security:

You may choose to pay your security separately through your bank.

We will not accept payments by international bank draft of less than $500 Canadian. Bank drafts under $500 will be returned to you and you will need to make alternate payment arrangements.

Online using eTaxBC

If you have an eTaxBC account, you can log on to eTaxBC to complete your Collector’s Return and pay your security. Returns and payments submitted through eTaxBC until 11:59pm on the due date are considered on time.

If you don't have an eTaxBC account, you can enrol for access to eTaxBC.

If you prefer, you may submit your return through eTaxBC and submit your security through your bank.

By mail or courier

You can print and complete your Collector's Return (FIN 125) (PDF) and submit it with your payment through mail or courier.

Payments are accepted by cheque, bank draft or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance. Write your account number on your payment so your account can be easily identified when your payment is processed. Do not send cash.

Send your completed return and payment to either the:

  • Mailing Address

Tobacco Tax
Ministry of Finance
PO Box 9442 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.  V8W 9V4

  • Courier Address

Tobacco Tax
Ministry of Finance
1802 Douglas Street
Victoria, B.C.  V8T 4K6

At a government office

You can submit your payment and completed Collector's Return (FIN 125) (PDF) at one of the following locations:

  • Service BC Centre
    Payments by cash, debit, cheque, bank draft or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance are accepted.

  • 1802 Douglas Street in Victoria (drop box only)
    Payments by cheque, bank draft or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance are accepted. Cash, debit and credit card payments aren't accepted.

Banking services

There are three ways to pay through your bank or financial institution:

  1. Bill payment service
  2. Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
  3. Wire payment

Note that banks do not accept Collector’s Returns or return payments in person.

Bill payment service

Most banks and financial institutions offer bill payment services for their clients. Bill payment services can generally be accessed through your online banking account, an automated teller machine (ATM), telephone banking or in person with a teller.

To pay security using a bill payment service you need our payee name and your tobacco wholesale account number. You should be able to find us listed with your bank under "BC - TOBACCO TAX". Some banks and financial institutions will use a variation of the payee names above. If you can't find us, call your bank for assistance.

Your tobacco wholesale account number (TWS-XXXX-XXXX) is listed on your permit.

Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

To successfully submit a tobacco security payment through EFT, you must:

  1. Make the payment in Canadian dollars
  2. Provide your bank our account information
  3. Validate your payment by sending us your payment details

Account information (EFT)

Provide your bank the following account information:

Province’s financial institution:

0001-00120
(0001=bank code, 00120 = branch transit)
Bank of Montreal
Victoria, British Columbia

Beneficiary customer:

1150-072
Province of British Columbia
TOBACCO TAX Vendor EFT Remittance Account

Wire payment

To successfully submit a tobacco security payment through wire payment, you must:

  1. Make the payment in Canadian dollars
  2. Provide your bank our account information (applicable to tobacco tax payments only)
  3. Validate your payment by sending us your payment details

Account information (wire payment)

Provide your bank the following account information:

Pay through:

Bank of Montreal S.W.I.F.T. BIC CODE: BOFMCAM2

Receiving bank:

International Banking, Head Office, Montreal, Quebec

Account with institution:
(beneficiary's bank)

Bank of Montreal
1225 Douglas St.
Victoria, British Columbia
Transit 00120

Beneficiary customer:
(BNF field or SWIFT field 59)

00121150072
Province of British Columbia
TOBACCO TAX Vendor EFT Remittance Account
4464 Markham Street
Victoria BC  V8Z 7X8         

Validate your payment (EFT and wire payment)

You must validate your payment by sending us the following payment details:

  • If you filed your return with eTaxBC:

    • The eTaxBC confirmation number;
    • Your TWS account number;
    • The amount you deposited; and
    • The return period the payment is for.

  • If you have not filed your return with eTaxBC:

    • A completed copy of your return;
    • Your TWS account number;
    • The amount you deposited; and
    • The return period the payment is for.

You can send the payment details through:

If you don’t validate your payment, we can’t match your payment to your account. This may result in late payment penalties and interest may be charged.