Forest and Environment News:

Second Report On State Of Forests Released — The second in a series of reports that objectively measures and assesses the state of British Columbia’s forests, with a focus on sustainability, was recently released by the Ministry of Forests and Range. The State of British Columbia’s Forests provides statistical information about the condition and management of B.C.’s forests, and their support of the province’s economy and communities. The report also provides the ministry’s assessment of the sustainability of B.C.’s forests. See State of Forests Report.

Tolko Forestry Agreement Annual Cut Increases - Kamloops — Tolko Industries’ allowable annual cut under its innovative forestry practices agreement has been increased by 35,000 cubic metres to 422,890 cubic metres until Aug. 31, 2011, in part to allow harvests of mountain pine beetle attacked stands with lower volumes of timber. See News Release.

Pine Beetles Becoming Less Selective — When a mountain pine beetle epidemic first develops in an area, the insects are selective about which patches of trees they invade most intensively, but that soon changes. Read entire article.

Labour and Company News:

Consumer Taxation Branch, Labour & Business — The Notice to Vendors and Operators - Clarification of Change to Due Date for Tax Returns clarifies the Budget 2007 changes to the due date for social service tax, also called the provincial sales tax (PST), and hotel room tax (HRT) returns. The notice provides details on how to file and pay your tax return on time. See Notice.

The Notice to Businesses that Lease or Rent Out Vehicles, Equipment and Other Goods clarifies how provincial sales tax (PST) applies when customers reimburse lessors for damage to rental property. See Notice.

Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and You: DOs and DON'Ts has been revised to remove reference to the federal GST rebate program for out-of-province visitors, as well as to include links to FIN 428P, casual remittance form for purchasers, and FIN 428S, casual remittance form for sellers. See Notice.

Bulletin GEN 012, Remitting Tax, is a new bulletin that includes detailed information on where and how to remit provincial sales tax (PST) and hotel room tax (HRT), and information on filing frequencies. See Bulletin.

Bulletin HRT 005, Registering to Collect Hotel Room Tax, has been renamed and rewritten using plain language and a new format so that the information is easier to read. See Bulletin.

Bulletin GEN 002, Sales and Leases to the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, and Bulletin GEN 006, Exemption for Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps: Instructions to Vendors and Operators, have been revised to include information about the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund levy. See Bulletin GEN 002 or Bulletin GEN 006.

Environmental Levy on Batteries, has been revised to include information about the ICE Fund levy and to clarify how provincial sales tax (PST) applies to industry led eco and enviro levies. See Bulletin SST 015. Other Bulletins related to the ICE Fund levy:

• Provincial Social Service Tax (PST) and Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST): Bulletin SST 016
• Home-Based Businesses plus reference to the new casual remittance form for sellers (FIN 428S): Bulletin SST 133
• Accommodation – Registered Operators of Hotels, Motels or Other Lodgings plus reference to the new casual remittance form for sellers (FIN 428P) Bulletin HRT 006
• Goods Purchased from Out-of-Province Suppliers plus reference to the new casual remittance form for sellers (FIN 428P): Bulletin SST 043
• Bed and Breakfast Operators plus reference to the new casual remittance form for purchasers and clarification when bed and breakfast operators need to register: Bulletin HRT 008

Registering to Collect Hotel Room Tax has been renamed and rewritten using plain language and a new format so that the information is easier to read. See Bulletin HRT 005.

Local Government News:

Miscellaneous News:

Consumer Taxation Branch — Provincial Sales Tax (PST) Review update: As part of Phase 2 of the PST Review, consultations are now underway on specific tax applications. For more information or to provide feedback to the PST Review, please see the PST Review consultation webpage

Bulletin SST 030, Purchases by Non-Residents of British Columbia. This bulletin has been revised to clarify how non-residents of BC may purchase provincial sales tax (PST) exempt items. This bulletin has also been revised to include provincial environmental levies (PST). See Bulletin.

Bulletin SST 013, Goods for Personal Use Imported by BC Residents at International Borders, has been revised to reference the new casual remittance form for purchasers (FIN 428P), the four-year limitation period for refunds, and to clarify that vitamins, dietary supplements and food for human consumption are exempt from PST. See Bulletin.

Motor Vehicle News:

Consumer Taxation Branch — Notice to Automotive Repair Industry. This notice has been revised to clarify how provincial sales tax (PST) and the passenger vehicle rental tax apply to courtesy vehicles, and to provide updated information about refunds of PST paid in error on courtesy vehicles.See Notice.