COVID-19 Action Plan - Provincial Tax Changes

As part of B.C.'s COVID-19 Action Plan, the B.C. government announced provincial tax changes.

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Last updated: March 27, 2020

Deferred Tax Payments

Effective immediately, B.C. is extending filing and payment deadlines for the following taxes until September 30, 2020.

Employer Health Tax

Sales Taxes

  • Provincial sales tax (including municipal and regional district tax*)
  • Carbon tax
  • Motor fuel tax
  • Tobacco tax

*Municipal and regional district tax (MRDT) is the additional 2 or 3% tax on accommodation. 

Delayed PST Budget 2020 Tax Changes

The following tax changes announced in Budget 2020 will be postponed until further notice:

  • Eliminating the PST exemption for carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners
  • Expanded registration requirements for Canadian sellers of goods, along with Canadian and foreign sellers of software and telecommunication services

Delayed Carbon Tax Increase

Carbon tax rates will remain at their current levels until further notice. The tax measure announced in Budget 2020 aligning the carbon tax rates with the federal carbon pricing backstop is also postponed until further notice.

Reduced School Tax Rates for Businesses

School tax rates for commercial properties (Classes 4, 5 and 6) will be reduced by 50% for the 2020 tax year.

Enhanced B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit

An additional one-time payment will be made in July 2020 on top of the regular climate action tax credit amount for qualifying individuals and families.

The previously scheduled credit increase effective July 2020 remains the same.