This article explains to auction bidders why auction item sales in British Columbia are subject to Provincial Sales Tax
If you're bidding in a fundraiser run by an organization based in British Columbia, please note that Provincial Sales Tax (PST) will apply to your purchase.
What You’ll Be Charged
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7% PST is added to most auction items.
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10% PST applies to items that include alcohol.
This tax will be broken down clearly on your receipts.
How PST is Calculated
The tax amount is based on:
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The fair market value (FMV) of the item (what it’s worth)
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Your winning bid (what you paid)
BC tax rules say that both these numbers matter when calculating PST for auctions. Don’t worry—Trellis handles the math automatically.
Why Is This Happening?
BC law requires online auction platforms like Trellis to collect PST for BC-based fundraisers. Whether you're in BC or not, if the fundraiser is based in BC, PST applies.