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PST Expansion to Professional Services

Information and Resources on the new Requirement to Charge PST on Select Professional Services

The Province of BC has announced a significant change in Budget 2026 that will expand the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to a range of professional services, effective October 1, 2026.

As of October 1, 2026, PST (7%) will apply to the following services:

  • Accounting (including bookkeeping and assurance)
  • Architectural services
  • Engineering and geoscience services
  • Security services (including private investigation, alarms and guards)
  • Non-residential real estate services (including commercial trading, rental property management, and strata management)

For architectural, engineering, and geoscience services, PST will only apply to 30% of the total service fee.

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What This Means for Businesses

If your business provides any of these services:

  • You will be required to charge and collect PST starting October 1, 2026
  • You must register for PST if you are not already registered
  • Registration can begin as early as April 1, 2026

For many professional service providers, this introduces new administrative requirements, alongside increased costs for their clients.

If you use any of these services, expect 7% PST to be charged on your bill as of October 1, 2026.

What to Do Next

  • If you provide these newly-taxable services, begin preparing to register for PST.
    • Registration can happen as early as April 1, 2026, six months before the changes take effect.
    • Final rules and exemptions may still develop as the law and regulations are passed by the government.
    • PST registration can be done online.  Click here for more info >
  • Review your contracts
    • PST applies based on when services are performed, not necessarily when invoiced, so ensure you are billing correctly as October 1st approaches.
  • Model the cost impact
    • Estimate what the new costs mean for your bottom line before October 1. For businesses relying heavily on accounting, engineering, or security services, the annual impact can add up quickly.
  • Make your voice heard
    • Share how this affects your business with the Langley Chamber. Member feedback directly informs our advocacy and ongoing engagement with government on this issue.  Contact us > 

Why the Langley Chamber Opposes This Change

The Langley Chamber is hearing directly from members that this change will increase the cost of doing business at a time when many are already under pressure.

The core issue is how PST works. Unlike GST or HST systems in other provinces, PST is not recoverable by businesses. That means every time PST is applied to a service, it becomes a permanent cost — not something that can be claimed back.

As a result, costs compound across the economy. Businesses rely on professional services like accounting, engineering, and property management to operate. Applying PST to these essential inputs means:

  • Higher operating costs
  • Reduced margins
  • Increased prices passed on to customers

We have raised these concerns directly with the Province and are contacting the Minister to call for a reconsideration of this measure. Our concern is not only the immediate impact, but what this signals moving forward.

This risks becoming a canary in the coal mine — setting the stage for further expansions of PST or new taxes on business inputs in the future.