8 - Wednesday, December 19, 1990 - North Shore News Program THE WEST Vancouver Fire Department: recently received a grant from the Molson Companies donation fund to assisi the fire department in its goal of cleaning up the environment by locating fire department's Operation Oil Tank. West Vancouver municipal re- cords show that 4,500 under- ground ail tanks, ranging in ca- pacity from 250 te 1,000 gallons, have been installed in West Van- The maximum life.pan of the steel tanks is 25 years, after which ime they begin to break down and spill their fuel into the sur- rounding environment. Two students hired by the municipality contacted 950 homes visited, 750 were found to have abandoned oil tanks on their Property. About 87 per cent of the tanks contained oil. The fire department has printed a brochure to help firefighters get the word out to residents about gets funds leaking home oil tanks. Molson donated $1,000 to the earlier this year. Of the 956 homes the oil tank program. couver since 1945, The GST will change the way people do business in Canada starting New Year’s Day. Here are five steps you should take to prepare for the change. Get Your GST Guy Registration Benefits © One-time start-up credit of $300-$1,000 for certain small businesses. ® Capital cost income-tax allowance on the cost of upgrading cash registers and electronic point-of-sale equipment. @ FST rebate on goods in inventory for resale where applicable. Charge the GST Where Appropriate Even if you have not registered, you are legally required to charge the GST on all the taxable goods and services you provide begin- ning January 1, 199% if you are: Register Your fuer Business You must register with Revenue Canada if you exceed the $30,000 threshold in taxable sales. Registration is optional for businesses with taxabie sales below the $30,000 threshold, but may be to their advantage. Find outmore ... ®@ engaged ina commercial activity with annual GST-taxable sales of more than $30,000 You must charge the GST on everything except: Adjust Your Accounting @ Ensure invoices, cash registers, and contracts accommodate the GST. ® Find out about simplified accounting methods. Most small businesses can use the Quick Method to save time and money. For complete information and assistance contact your local Revenue Canada Excise office. Phone: 666-4664 Outside Vancouver call: 1 800 561-6990 Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired: 1 800 465-5770 | GOODS * basic groceries * prescription drugs «medical devices *most agriculture and fish products * exports SERVICES * long-term residential! rents *most medical and dental care * day care * education «insurance «financial! services Ensure the GST Is Visibie to Customers ® Indicate the GST on sales slips and invoices, or ® Post clearly visible GST signs if prices are tax included. Revenu Canada a } Revenue Canada Customs and Excise Douanes et Acaise