In BC, what should I know about trade-in tax benefit for car loans?
In British Columbia, you absolutely benefit from a significant trade-in tax reduction when financing a new or used vehicle through a licensed dealership. The Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7% is applied to the *net purchase price* of the new vehicle, which is calculated as the agreed-upon price of your new car *minus* the value of your trade-in. This means you only pay PST on the difference, not the full price of the new vehicle. For example, if you purchase a $40,000 vehicle and trade in your old car for $10,000, you will only pay PST on $30,000, effectively saving you $700 in tax (7% of the $10,000 trade-in value). This direct tax saving significantly reduces the total amount you need to finance, leading to lower monthly payments and less interest paid over the life of your car loan. This benefit is a crucial financial advantage for consumers in BC, distinguishing it from private sales where no such tax reduction applies, and remains a consistent policy expected through 2025 and beyond, making dealership trade-ins a smart financial move for vehicle upgrades.