Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Member Update — August 25, 2026
Starting October 1, 2026, a 7% PST applies for the first time to accounting, architectural, engineering and geoscience, security, and non-residential real estate services, along with securities services. This affects a lot of us here in Chilliwack — whether you’re the one issuing invoices for these services, or you’re a local business that hires an accountant, an engineer, or a property manager to help you run things.
What you need to do depends on which side of these services you’re on.
If you provide these services — you’re a Chilliwack accountant, bookkeeper, architect, engineer, geoscientist, security firm, or you work in non-residential property, strata, or real estate — you need to register, start charging PST, and remit it.
If you buy these services — which is nearly every business in Chilliwack, from downtown shops to Yarrow and Sardis operations — you need to budget for the added cost and talk to your bookkeeper or accountant now.
This update covers both, along with the key dates and practical steps to take before the change lands.
What’s newly taxable, and who charges it
| Newly taxable service | PST rate & taxable base | Who registers & charges it |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting & bookkeeping (incl. assurance, tax, advisory) | 7% on 100% of the fee | Accounting firms & bookkeepers |
| Architectural services | 7% on 30% of the fee (AIBC-registered practitioners) | Architects |
| Engineering & geoscience services | 7% on 30% of the fee (APEGBC-registered practitioners) | Engineers & geoscientists |
| Security services (guards, private investigators, alarm & consulting) | 7% on 100% of the fee | Licensed security firms |
| Non-residential real estate services (property & strata management, real estate commissions) | 7% on 100% of the fee | Property managers & realtors |
| Securities services | 7% — confirm the exact taxable base with your advisor | Investment dealers & advisors |
If you provide these services: your to-do list
- Register for PST now, if you haven’t already. Registration opened April 1, 2026 and is mandatory before your first taxable sale on or after October 1. Registration and filing are done online through eTaxBC.
- Confirm your taxable base. Accounting, security, and non-residential real estate services charge PST on the full fee; architectural and engineering/geoscience services charge it on 30% of the fee. If you offer a mix of services, work out which portion applies to each engagement.
- Update your invoicing. Add a 7% PST line for services performed on or after October 1, 2026, and keep records showing when each service was actually performed — not just when it was invoiced.
- Know the transitional rule. If a client’s invoice or payment is due before October 1 and the work is fully completed before December 1, 2026, it stays exempt. If any part of the work runs on or after October 1 without meeting that test, PST applies to that portion. Payment due on or after October 1 is taxable regardless of when the work was done.
- Charge and remit. Once registered, you collect PST from clients and remit it to the province on your filing schedule, alongside your existing GST obligations.
- Give your clients notice. A short heads-up now helps clients budget and avoids disputes over invoices issued after October 1 — a little goodwill goes a long way in a community the size of Chilliwack.
If you buy these services: your to-do list
Even if you don’t provide any of these services yourself, chances are your business pays for some of them. Here’s what to do:
- Talk to your bookkeeper or accountant now. Ask which of your invoices will carry PST after October 1 and get a revised estimate of the added cost for the year.
- Remember PST doesn’t come back. Unlike GST, PST on services can’t be claimed back as an input tax credit — it’s an added cost that stays on your books.
- Budget for the new fiscal reality. Build the extra 7% (or roughly 2.1% on architectural and engineering fees, since only 30% of the fee is taxable) into your budgets and forecasts for the year ahead.
- Watch the timing of big engagements. If you have major accounting, engineering, or property-management work planned, ask your provider whether finishing before October 1 — or before December 1 under the transitional rule — could reduce your exposure.
Key dates
- April 1 – October 1, 2026: PST registration window for newly taxable service providers — registration is open now.
- October 1, 2026: 7% PST takes effect on the services listed above.
- December 1, 2026: Cut-off for the transitional exemption — work must be fully completed by this date for pre-October invoices to stay exempt.
- Now: If you buy these services, ask your provider whether any current engagements straddle these dates, so a partial PST charge doesn’t catch you off guard.
Three quick examples
- Invoiced and paid in September, work finished in September: no PST.
- Invoiced and paid in September, work wraps up in November: no PST.
- Invoiced and paid in September, work continues into December: PST applies to the portion of work done on or after October 1.
- Work done in September but invoiced in October: PST still applies. Once the invoice or payment falls on or after October 1, the tax applies no matter when the work was actually done.
October 1 is five weeks away
Whether you’re registering to collect this tax or budgeting to absorb it, Chilliwack businesses that act now will be in a stronger position than those waiting for the first invoice to land.
For more information, visit www.gov.bc.ca/pst.