The Canadian government has made it mandatory for all provinces to convert the HST to 1 levy.

This change is actually good news or should be for business owners with cash registers or POS systems because almost all cash registers and POS systems made since the 1980s have at least 1 tax. Which means that our companies should need to buy new equipment due to the change in the HST. Unfortunately, many businesses will need help moving their POS systems to HST. Which usually means a technician will have to help with the change, usually a service call.

HST is found in most, but not all, products sold, and some have HST in individual items, but not 6 or more, such as donuts. See the first link below for full details.

Now, the main thing businesses need to decide is to set up their POS system or cash register as additional tax or value added VAT. For example, the additional tax type takes the entry or preset price, say $5.00, and adds the tax to that total (if HST = 12%) = $5.60 total with tax. This is the way all cash registers and POS systems add taxes. Now with a VAT tax the same entry or default $5.00 = $5.00 total with tax. The difference is shown on the receipt, the add-on shows $5.00 + 0.60 HST and the VAT shows $4.46 + 0.54 HST on the receipt. Basically, with VAT tax, the cash register or POS calculates the price before tax and displays both on the receipt. VAT tax is generally most used by fast food restaurants and stores with price charts or menus that do not say: HST will be added. VAT is also used by some businesses to eliminate the supply of pennies, nickels or dimes, such as bars and pubs. Not all cash registers or POS systems have VAT. Consult your manual or local dealer. BC interior businesses with SHARP, UNIWELL/SANYO or Flashpoint cash registers or POS systems can call Norstar POS 250 554-5051 for more information.