Tax breaks still a possibility for British Columbians shopping in Whatcom County

WHATCOM COUNTY (NEWS1130) - If you're headed south of the border to Whatcom County this long weekend, it could pay off to ask for a sales tax exemption. And although stores aren't legally obligated to give Lower Mainlanders the break, some of them will do anyways.

A judge ruled earlier this month that Whatcom County stores aren't to give British Columbians the sales tax exemption, which was supposed to come into effect with the HST on July 1.

But Ken Oplinger from the Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce says if you ask, some stores could still give you a tax break, even it that means they're on the hook to reimburse the state. "Especially at larger retailers, you certainly can ask. In some cases they may even have the signage up, alerting you that they are granting it."

Retailers protested the exemption saying it would be a substantial hit to their bottom line. Oplinger says even without the tax break, Canadians still save when they shop south of the border.

The injunction blocking the tax break is temporary, but Oplinger expects it to be made permanent in the next month or two.