If you run a trades or landscaping company in BC, the paperwork side of things can feel endless. GST, PST, payroll, remittances, WSBC — it's easy to lose track of what you actually have to file, when, and what happens if you miss it.
So here's the plain-English version. A straightforward FAQ on the filing duties every BC trades owner has to meet, so you know exactly what's required and who can take it off your plate.
Do I have to charge and remit GST?
Yes, if your business earns more than $30,000 a year in Canada. That's a rolling quarter figure, not a calendar-year one. Hit it, and you're required to register for GST and start charging 5% on most of what you sell. You can register early if you want to, but once you cross that threshold, it's not optional anymore.
From there, you remit the net — the GST you collected minus the GST you paid on your own business purchases. That second part is your input tax credits. Skip claiming those, and you're just handing the government money that's rightfully yours.
Is PST different from GST?
Very. PST is a provincial sales tax here in BC, and it runs completely separately from the federal GST. The rate is 7%.
Here's the part trades owners get wrong most often: services are generally not subject to PST in BC, but materials and equipment sales are. So a renovation job might be PST-exempt on your labour, and PST-liable on the materials you're supplying and marking up.
That's one of the most common reasons books come back messy — someone applied the rule to the wrong side of the invoice. A professional who works with trades every day knows exactly where that line sits.
When are GST and PST actually due?
For most businesses, it depends on your reporting period, which the CRA assigns when you register — annual, quarterly, or monthly. Annual means you file once a year, quarterly means four times a year. Whatever your period, the tax is due on the last day of the month following the end of that period.
The real practical point, though: the GST you charge is never yours. It sits in your account briefly, then it belongs to the CRA. Owners who spend it like it's revenue end up short at remittance time — and that's a gut-punch of an invoice, and a completely avoidable one. Your best bet is to open a tax savings account with your bank and transfer 5%+ of every deposit to make sure it is there when remittances are due.
What about payroll and remittances?
If you have employees, you're legally required to:
- Deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from each paycheque
- Pay an employer portion of CPP and EI
- Hold a payroll account with the CRA
- Remit those deductions by the statutory deadline, which depends on your remittance frequency
Miss that deadline, and the CRA charges interest and penalties on the missing amount — and it compounds fast. Separate from the CRA, you may also owe:
- Employer Health Tax (EHT/BCEHT), once your BC payroll passes the annual exemption
- WSBC premiums, which cover WorkSafeBC
What exactly is WSBC, and why does it matter?
WSBC is WorkSafeBC, the provincial workers' compensation system. If you employ anyone in BC, you're typically required to register and pay premiums — based on your payroll and your industry classification. Plumbers, electricians, and other construction trades carry some of the highest rates, because the risk is higher.
You remit WSBC premiums, and you're expected to keep current with annual declarations and reconciliation. Falling behind isn't just a penalty problem, either — it can affect your ability to bid on work and keep your coverage valid.
Another important thing to note is that businesses are also liable for WSBC premiums for their subcontractors if their subs do not carry their own insurance. You can verify WSBC coverage easily by requesting a WSBC Clearance Letter for all new and recurring subcontractors.
How do I know which taxes apply to my business?
Honestly? It depends, and getting it wrong is expensive. A one-person sole proprietorship has a simpler set of obligations than a corporation with a small crew. Incorporate, and you add corporate tax filing, shareholder considerations, a separate tax year. Hire your first employee, and payroll and WSBC come into play. Start selling materials, and PST does too.
This is exactly where a specialist earns their keep. Cornerstone Compliance works exclusively with trades and landscaping companies across BC — construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping — so we already know what makes your filing different from a retail shop's.
What happens if I miss a filing or a remittance?
Penalties, interest, and letters. The CRA charges a late-filing penalty on GST returns, then interest on top of the outstanding balance. WSBC and payroll remittances each carry their own penalty schedules. Left unresolved, it snowballs — and the stress lands on you, while you're trying to run jobs and make payroll at the same time.
Can someone handle all of this for me?
Yes, and that's the point. The trades owners we work with would rather be on site than buried in remittance schedules. We handle the accurate books, the reconciled accounts, payroll and remittances, GST/PST and WSBC filings, and the monthly statements — so you get straight answers whenever a question comes up, and you stop guessing.
The one thing to remember
Every tax you collect and every deduction you hold is money passing through your hands, not money that's yours. Treat it as gone the moment you charge it, and set it aside in that tax account we talked about. That one habit, plus someone who actually knows BC trades, keeps you out of the penalty lane.
Want to know exactly what your business has to file? Start with a free call. We'll walk through your situation and tell you straight where you stand — no jargon, no fluff, no surprise invoices.