As part of its 2026 Budget, the Government of British Columbia announced an expansion of the provincial sales tax (PST) to certain professional services, including architectural services. Effective October 1, 2026, PST must be charged and collected on architectural services, unless a specific exemption applies.
Register for PST
Please note that you must register to collect PST. While the online registration process takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes to complete, it may take up to 21 days to receive your PST Number. Registrants are encouraged to register well in advance of the October 1 effective date to ensure they receive their PST Number in sufficient time.
More information on the registration process can be found on the Register to Collect PST webpage.
Upcoming Webinar: Understanding PST on Architectural Services
To help Registrants prepare for these changes, the AIBC is hosting an information session with the BC Ministry of Finance. The session will provide an overview of the new PST requirements, explain how the changes apply to architectural services, and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly to BC Ministry of Finance representatives.
Topics covered will include general information about the new requirements; exemptions and exclusions; transition rules; and registering for, collecting, and remitting PST.
Understanding PST on Architectural Services
- Date: September 8, 2026
- Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Online via Zoom
- Cost: Free
- Learning Units (LUs): 1.5 Core
- Register: Register online by September 7
Additional Resources for PST on Architectural Services
Over the next several weeks, the AIBC will publish additional information on PST for architectural services, including a Registrant Advisory and a Practice Guideline. Registrants are encouraged to monitor the AIBC website, as well as the newsletter, Connected, for updates.