Why to ask now
If your strata works with a property manager, the October 1, 2026 PST change is worth a short conversation before budget season. The tax is provincial: your manager is required to collect it where it applies, not choosing to add it. A few clear questions will help council budget accurately and explain any changes to owners. Here are the ones worth asking.
Note: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Tax rules can change and depend on your strata's circumstances, so confirm details with a qualified accountant or tax professional and the BC government's guidance.
Questions about your fees
Will our management fee have PST added, given that we are a residential strata?
If we are a mixed-use building, how will PST be applied to our fee?
When will any change take effect, and how much of this budget year does it affect?
Questions about other services
Which of the services you arrange for us, such as accounting, engineering, or security, will now include PST?
For engineering work like our depreciation report, will PST apply to the full fee or a portion?
Are there services we pay for that are not affected?
Questions about invoices and budgeting
How will PST appear on our invoices and financial statements?
Can you help us estimate the added cost for next year's budget?
Should we adjust our operating budget or contingency planning to account for this?
Keep the tone collaborative
It helps to treat this as shared problem-solving rather than a complaint. Your manager did not create the tax and cannot waive it, and they are working through the same uncertainty about final regulations that councils are. Asking clear questions, and writing down the answers for the next council, is the most useful thing you can do. For the underlying details, see how the new PST could affect your strata's budget.
Keep the answers on record
The answers to these questions are worth keeping where the whole council can find them, not just in one member's email. Storing the manager's guidance, updated invoices, and your budget notes in one place means next year's council does not have to ask again. That kind of continuity is what OpenStrata is built for.
Frequently asked questions
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Note: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. For legal questions, consult a qualified strata lawyer or the relevant BC government resources.