Buying a BC Car

[adam c]

Going to bump this thread

I've received mixed information about PST and Alberta

I've read that we are PST exempt on vehicle purchases but other places says no, pst is still charged

[nismodrifter]

See Page 11:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/ta...8-vehicles.pdf

"Vehicles Purchased for Use Outside BC
If you purchase a vehicle in BC for use outside BC, you are exempt from PST provided all the
following criteria are met:
 The vehicle is a type that is eligible for registration (i.e. it is not a vehicle that cannot be
registered)
 The vehicle is purchased for use primarily outside BC
 The vehicle will not be used in BC for a business purpose
 The vehicle will not be registered in BC
 If you are purchasing the vehicle as an individual, you are not a resident of BC
You are also exempt from PST on the purchase of a vehicle if the vehicle is shipped by the
seller for delivery to an address outside of BC. To be eligible for the exemption, no use must be
made of the vehicle by the purchaser while the vehicle is in BC. "

Document is up to date, having just been modified in April 2018.

[adam c]

OK I did read it right, guess dealers in BC just don't know or know and just want to make extra $$

[shakalaka]

I am on my second Bimmer from BC since last year and have never had to pay PST. Dealer took care of all for me.

[adam c]

interesting, this was their response

HI Adam,

pst must be charged.

thanks

John

[Team_Mclaren]

Tell them you'd like to pay PST directly to ICBC upon registration. that should be an option for them if they are confuse.

Usually when you put in an AB address the system should take PST off automatically. just like any online purchase.

[Tik-Tok]

Have bought two used cars from BC dealerships, wasnt charged PST on either. The first one educated me that out of province purchasers don't pay PST.

[Skyline_Addict]

I’ve bought 2 cars in the last two years from BC. One was through a dealership and one was private sale. Was not charged PST on either. For the private sale, the seller and I went to an insurance broker to settle everything and transfer registration. I just had to prove AB residency (Drivers license seemed to suffice but I brought my healthcare card and a utility bill just in case). Was given an in-transit pass to stick on windshields and away I went. You have to pay for the in transit pass, and I think the price is based on how many days you request for it to be in-transit.

[roopi]

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interesting, this was their response

Is this from the salesperson or from the finance manager?

[adam c]

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Is this from the salesperson or from the finance manager?

I assume sales person but I can't be sure

I've cancelled my trip out there due to this weather and BC extending the winter tire requirements until the end of April

[Kloubek]

Picked up my Jag from Vancouver last fall. They were not super used to the process, but the dealership knew I was exempt from the beginning. Be thankful they got rid of the HST.

[Skyline_Addict]

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interesting, this was their response

Completely wrong. Tell him to do his research or point him in the right direction. There are even BC government / ICBC documents online which clearly state that PST is exempt for OOP purchases. When I bought through the dealership, they already knew this right away.

Edit: here is BC government document regarding PST on vehicle purchases

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/ta...8-vehicles.pdf

See bottom of page 11.

I believe ICBC has a document as well which may go into more specific detail, but suffice to say you do not pay PST.

Edit 2: just saw nismodrifter already posted everything above lol

[Rocket1k78]

My sister ran into this exact problem last summer, we knew that she wouldnt have to pay the PST. They agreed to a price which did include PST but she thought it would come off at the end, she sent them the deposit and when time came to finalize they wouldnt budge on the PST part. She threatened to cancel the deal if they wouldnt take it off and sure enough they sent her the money back that afternoon

[Skyline_Addict]

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My sister ran into this exact problem last summer, we knew that she wouldnt have to pay the PST. They agreed to a price which did include PST but she thought it would come off at the end, she sent them the deposit and when time came to finalize they wouldnt budge on the PST part. She threatened to cancel the deal if they wouldnt take it off and sure enough they sent her the money back that afternoon

That sucks. I suppose some dealers are just more open to doing OOP sales and are willing to do the extra work (if any) to get it done. Other dealers seem to think they are entitled or required to charge PST - trying to protect local buyers (unlikely), or make extra money?

[Tik-Tok]

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That sucks. I suppose some dealers are just more open to doing OOP sales and are willing to do the extra work (if any) to get it done. Other dealers seem to think they are entitled or required to charge PST - trying to protect local buyers (unlikely), or make extra money?

My bet is that they were planning on keeping her PST money as part of their profit. Hence the cancellation.

[D'z Nutz]

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My bet is that they were planning on keeping her PST money as part of their profit. Hence the cancellation.

I'm getting the same impression with adam c's dealer.

[adam c]

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I'm getting the same impression with adam c's dealer.

probably right but I cancelled the deal anyways

[Rocket1k78]

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That sucks. I suppose some dealers are just more open to doing OOP sales and are willing to do the extra work (if any) to get it done. Other dealers seem to think they are entitled or required to charge PST - trying to protect local buyers (unlikely), or make extra money?

I didnt even think there was any extra work on their part and it was a cash sale so that makes it easier and a sure thing

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My bet is that they were planning on keeping her PST money as part of their profit. Hence the cancellation.

Thats exactly what i thought when she told me but we were both surprised when they didnt even bother re negotiating and just returned her deposit. To cancel a sale with the hopes theyd find another out of town buyer willing to pay pst is pretty crazy and i could see if my sister grinded them down on price but she didnt and was willing to pay close to asking because it was a good price already

[Colin_R6]

If you are not from BC, and you got charged PST - there is a process to recover it.

There is a 4 year window to claim it.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...xes/pst/refund

[Skyline_Addict]

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If you are not from BC, and you got charged PST - there is a process to recover it.

There is a 4 year window to claim it.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...xes/pst/refund

Interesting.

It'd be one thing if the dealership actually paid the PST to the government, but if they kept it for themselves, it might then become a civil matter...