With the two-tiered PST/GST tax system back in B.C., there is some confusion about how consumers go about receiving PST exemptions on clothing.
A CTV viewer contacted Steele on Your Side after she recently bought clothes for her 12-year old daughter and was charged PST. She went back to the store to have the charge corrected, but was surprised to learn it is her responsibility to request the exemption from the retailer.
The Ministry of Finance told CTV that girl’s clothing up to size 16 and boy’s clothing up to size 20 is automatically exempt from PST. But in the case of adult-sized clothing, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to ensure they qualify for the under 15 exemption and to inform the retailer.
The consumer is then required to fill out a Certificate of Exemption at the point-of-sale. This certificate states that the item is being obtained for a child who is under 15 years of age. Most merchants have the forms at the cash register for customers. Some merchants have developed their own version of the certificate, but they must collect all of the same information.
Customers who believe they have been charged the PST in error should first approach the merchant to have the charge reversed. If the merchant does not provide a refund of the PST, purchasers may apply to the Ministry of Finance for a refund.
For more information on PST exemptions click here.
