GST/HST Guide Table of Contents

Canadian Sales Tax Guide
GST HST in Canada

by L. Kenway BComm CPB Retired

What You'll Find In This Chat

Let's chat about good bookkeeping practices.


This is the Table of Contents for The GST HST in Canada Guide. It is The Bookkeepeer's Handy Reference to articles and sidebars on GST (goods and services tax) and HST (harmonized sales tax).

We'll begin this somewhat lengthy chat with ...

  • An index of information links grouped into topics to help YOU learn how GST HST registration works and how it applies to your business ...
  • Then I'll discuss what GST and HST is ...
  • Next you'll find some information about the place of supply rules ...
  • Then I'll wrap up with some commonly asked questions about HST and The Bookkeeping Forum questions and answers on GST/HST.







A Guide to Understanding GST/HST in Canada
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GST/HST Guide Table of Contents

Table of Contents
GST/HST Guide

Registering For GST/HST

Registering For GST/HST

What happens after you have registered for GST/HST?

After You Are Registered

Place of Supply Rules

Place of Supply Rules Flowchart
Charge the Right Rate!

HST Invoice Presentation Rules

Invoice Presentation Rules,
3 Methods of Accounting

Returning to PST in BC

Self Assessing Out of Province Purchases, PST Basics in BC




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Table Of Contents

... begin with this guide on registering for GST and HST in Canada:

How To Calculate GST/HST Included in a Purchase Amount

Let me show you how to find the GST/HST paid in a transaction.

Let's say you have a business in Ontario and purchased an item that cost $224.00 including sales tax. Sales tax in Ontario is 13% HST.

You want to know how much of that $224.00 is sales tax. Here's how you do it.

$224.00 (total purchase amount) / 1.13 = $198.23 (purchase price excluding sales tax) where / means divide. $200 x .13 = $25.77 (amount of HST paid) where x means multiply.

If you want to skip the 2 step calculation and go right to calculating just the sales tax paid, multiply $224 by .11504 where .11504 = .13/1.13

If you live in a different province, replace .13 with your sales tax amount.

Part One of the Guide

Why You Might Want To Register Voluntarily


When Registration is Mandatory



... after you have completed your GST HST Registration, you'll want to know about:

Part Two of the Guide

How To Register and How GST/HST Works



Part Three of the Guide




More Guide Info On GST/HST Stuff Found Around The Site


Due Dates and Rates

How Your Accounting System Tracks GST HST



Things To Watch For and Schedule



Perhaps You Want Some Information on HST or PST in BC





Where To Learn More






LET'S CHAT ABOUT ...

GST HST Place of Supply Rules in Canada

May 1, 2010 was an important date. New place of supply rules came into effect.

The new GST HST place of supply rules now place a greater emphasis on the LOCATION of your customer NOT the location of the supplier.

Generally, HST in Ontario and BC began to apply to any amount that was paid without having come due OR comes due ... if the amount related to the period July 1, 2010 or later. There were some exceptions.

Take the time to review your bookkeeping work as there is a high probability CRA will be auditing transactions relating to the HST transition period of May 1 to June 30, 2010.

BC then had another transition period when it reverted back to GST + PST on April 1, 2013.


Commonly Asked Questions About HST

Q. Is my GST registration number now my HST registration number?

A. Yes. Your GST registration automatically registers you for HST.

HST registration for British Columbia and Ontario works exactly the same as GST registration with all the same rules as GST. Just be aware that as of May 1, 2010, there are new place of supply rules for GST and HST.

Q. What is a non-participating province?

A. A non-participating province is a province that does not charge HST ... they charge GST and may or may not charge a provincial sales tax. Currently, non-participating provinces are the three territories plus Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and PEI.


Q. What is a participating province?

A. A participating province is a province that charges HST. As of July 1, 2010, participating provinces were BC, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. See  participating provinces as of April 1, 2013 here.


Q. What is the Quick Method rate for BC?

A. You can find the Quick Method rates for BC and the other provinces on The GST HST Quick Method Rates page.

You need to be aware that with the new place of supply rules, you will have different rates depending on the location of your customer in Canada.

You may want to consider changing your method of reporting GST HST to CRA. From a bookkeeping perspective, the Quick Method (and Simplified Method) is more difficult to apply than simply tracking the actual tax.

Q. What are the GST HST invoicing requirements?

A. GST HST invoicing requirements are discussed in How to Create an Audit Trail. You have three choices dependent on the value of the invoice.

If you have point of sale rebates to invoice, you have three presentation options.

Follow the links for more detailed information on GST HST invoicing requirements.

Q. When is my monthly HST report due?

A. Your monthly HST report is filed on the same report as your GST and has the same due dates / deadlines.


Find more questions and answers on HST in Transitioning to HST




The Bookkeeping Forum Q&A Links

GST HST Discussions
In Progress

Here are GST HST questions that have been asked in The Bookkeeping Forum. Feel free to check them out and give your opinion or share your expertise.

As more questions are asked, more links will show up here. So if you have a question ... and are willing to be patient while I use my resources to learn along with you ... ask away.

Charging Client HST on Expenses 
I really hope you can help clarify something for me. I have a question regarding charging our clients HST on some expenses (or reimbursements). We …

Expenses Over Income 
Good day. Hope you can help me with this. I'm a bit confused on how to do my returns. I'm a small Alberta contractor in one company. I do charges for …

Accounts Payable 
Entering the invoices in Accounts Payable System, do I have to enter HST NB, HST ON, and GST separately or can I combine them in GST/HST. Is it important …

How To Claim Missed ITCs 
I was reading your section on how to record 'late receipts' for the ITCs (input tax credits). You mentioned that you date the receipt for the first …

CRA Place of Supply Rule 
Have CRA's Place of Supply Rules recently changed? It used to be that the Place of Supply was determined by the customer's province of residence. …

Uncollectable Accounts and HST 
If the HST collected (on the sale) has already been paid to Canada Revenue, but eventually it was determined that the client's account would have to be …

HST Adjustment Simply Accounting 
I owe more HST/GST than my tax report says I do, so I have paid the amount I know I owe. My question is, how do I do an adjustment in Simply Accounting, …

HST Payable - Negative 
I am doing my HST quarterly and my starting balance for HST account is -545.13 in "transactions by account". I think it should be zero. My debit column …

PST Expense 
My question is about the upcoming PST change in BC. For PST paid on purchases, do I create a separate expense account specifically for PST paid or does …

Pst Refund 
We will be paying PST on the materials we purchase. We have to charge our supply only customers PST. Can we get a refund of the PST we paid on this …

Posting Expenses When Not GST Registered 
I just started a small business and I will not be registering for GST at this time. When I'm posting these invoices, do I post the entire amount (including …

Gas As An Expense 
I am wondering about treating gas as an expense and the HST involved ... there is a Fed and Prov portion. Do I just total the two and treat that as the …

Canadian Sales Tax Help 
I use Quickbooks. When recording expenses do I include the HST paid? It was already reported as an ITC for my fiscal quarter. It almost seems like …

GST on Meals Adjustment 
What account would you debit to adjust the GST/HST for the amount that is not eligible for the ITC (50%) on meals? I think GST would be credited for …

Recording a GST Reassessment  
How do you post this a reassessment from an audit where there is additonal GST owing in a prior year? It is a credit or a liability? It can't be an …

HST and Private Sale of Vehicle 
As a sole proprietor in Ontario do I collect HST as part of the sale when I sell a vehicle (used both personally and in the business) to a private citizen? …

When to Charge GST/HST 
I am a sales estimator sub-contractor. I've been invoicing my boss for my work this current year. I have made over the $30,000 mark and I have obtained …

Imputing HST on Receipts 
I have several receipts (for a course, insurance (car and teaching) and for memberships) that do not state the HST I've paid but only the final amount …

GST Charged Incorrectly? 
My client is a corporation. He is the only shareholder/director. On a few of his bills that he sent out, he deducted some money that he owed the client …

HST on Inter-Company Transactions 
My question is about HST on inter-company transactions. I have recently been hired to do the books for an owner who has several companies, all in entirely …

Financial Institutions Exempt From GST/HST 
I understand Financial Institutions (e.g. let's say one of the big five banks) are exempt from GST/HST for most of their services they offer (e.g. deposits …

ITCs Home Office 
As a sole proprietor, my office space at home is 10%. Are the ITCs prorated at the end of the period? Do I claim 100% during the year? Is it the …

Display of Sales Tax on Invoices 
Do invoices have to show the GST and PST as separate lines or can they be combined?? Hi James, It is my understanding that CRA requires each …

Sales added to filed GST period 
In a moment of lunacy it seems I've edited customer invoices and increased the invoiced amount thereby increasing sales revenue in a prior GST period. …

GST Under 30K 
We are starting a small consulting/teaching business. We registered and got a GST number. We don't expect to earn more than $30K per year. Are we required …

GST and Doing Business in Canada 
Hello, I work for a company in Mexico. We are sending material to Canada. We sell transmission towers and we started sending flatbeds into Canada …

Recovering ITCs on Capital Assets 
I started a business in 2010 and purchased equipment which included GST. However I did not open my GST account until 2011. Can I still claim the GST …

HST & E Commerce 
We are an internet business with a website for folks to order products online, which are then shipped to the client from a warehouse in Canada or a warehouse …

HST Installment Payments 
Hi, Can I pay an installment on a current Q2 HST payable bill rather than the whole amount? I have always attached full payment owing to the quarterly …

USA E-Retailer Selling Goods to Canadian Residents 
We are a 100% internet retailer based in the USA. We are an importer of record via UPS in Mississauga ON. What is the requirement for collecting and …

Reclaim GST Portion of HST Paid 
Hi, As a business owner, am I permitted to reclaim the GST portion of HST paid on a purchase (for re-sale) in Ontario? My business is in a province …

GST/HST ITC on Meal Allowance 
Can a transportation driver claim GST/HST I.T.C.'s on meal allowance amounts when they have used the $45.00 per day method rather than using actual receipts? …

Annual GST/HST Filer 
Hi, I am having difficulty understanding why, when I have a December Year End and sales are LT 1.5 million, I keep receiving a paper return which tells …

Self Employed Consultant 
How do I pay GST/HST? I am a self employed consultant working on commission. I bill a company quarterly for my service. Do I pay GST/HST on the total …

ITCs vs. Business Expense on Personal Tax Return 
Hello, I have a full time job and my husband and I bought a small business last year. I already claimed all of our business expenses such as bank …

Reporting HST on T2 
When doing your business tax (on the short form) is revenue gross or net of HST? I don't know why I would have to pay income tax on tax I collect, but …

HST Charitable Organization 
Could you explain how to make the journal entry for a charitable organization (which is eligible for a Public Service Body rebate) on their purchase? …

Manual Bookkeeping Entry for GST/HST Refund 
According to your topic "Recording GST/HST Using Manual Accounting Systems", the information provided is super, except for the last paragraph which leaves …

HST Return Collected By Unregistered Vendor 
HST Return for 2010 Tax Year. Hi Bookkeeping-Essentials, My small business income is less than $30,000. I collected GST/HST and paid GST/HST …

Newbie to Bookkeeping 
Hi, I am currently running my own company which I have recently set-up. There is a question which I would like to seek your help on. I am using …

HST Business Transition Supplement 
How would you account for the HST transition supplement the government pays to qualified businesses? I'm not sure if I should credit an HST related …

Home-based Business & GST 
Hello, I am a sole proprietor of an Educational Consultant Services based in my home. I am filing GST returns for the 1st time and would like to …

HST Bonus from Revenue Canada 
Our company received a $1,000.00 from the government to help with the HST transition. We deposited this 'free money' in the bank, so I know I debit …

PST Filing 
My husband started a new business as a tool distributor in Ontario. His first day of sales was April 12, 2010. He collected GST and PST until June 30, …

Eco Tax 
Where does the Eco tax go in bookkeeping and taxes when filing your GST remittance? Does it stay in with your GST input tax credits? Hi Laurel, …

Charging PST in Manitoba 
Does an independent contractor charge PST for services in Manitoba? As I don't live in Manitoba, I went to the Manitoba government website to …

HST Charged But No Business Number 
I was charged HST by a small supplier (less than $30,000 annually). There was no HST number on the invoice. When questioned, the person said he had not …

GST / HST for Manufacturers 
Question - For Manufacturers, are 100% of the GST / HST takes paid on any goods and services recoverable, as long as we are registered Canadian taxpayers? …

GST/HST Split Filing 
I am an annual HST filer and have paid my PST up to June 30th 2010. Do I have to file a separate GST up to June 30th then HST from July 1st to Dec 31st …

Annual HST Return 
How to File a Dual Rate Return In 2010 in Ontario until June 30th invoices carried a 5% GST amount. From July 1st the rate became HST of 13%. Do …

Eligible Input Tax Credits 
Is the GST I paid on fuel, vehicle repairs, equipment rentals & materials purchased to complete contract - considered an 'eligible expense' with respect …

Can I file a NIL GST Return 
GST/HST Registered - Can I file a 'NIL' GST/HST Return? I registered my flooring installation business (not a retail business, no materials sold - …

GST34 - Appeal Penalty for Filing Late 
I have recently gotten a job with my company and I was supposed to file/pay the HST return (GST34). Unfortunately, instead of paying September HST return …

HST and eBay 
Do I pay HST on sales to USA on ebay? It is my understanding that as a general rule, sales of goods and services to a non-resident person outside …

HST and Reimbursable Expenses 
HST - charging reimbursable expenses to clients How do I include on my invoice to my client the expenses for which they are going to reimburse me? …

GST HST Collected Out of Province 
I am a online seller so I sell Canada wide. Do I charge different tax rates depending on where the customer lives; and how do I report all that to Revenue …

Business Startup Expenses and HST 
HST input credit for a start up business in B.C. I am in the process of setting up a new business. I am incurring expenses, but do not have any …

GST/HST and Tax Exempt Bodies 
We are considering a contract for services with an out-of-province GST exempt body. Some of the work will be done by subcontractors that will charge us …

HST Registration and Psychology 
A psychologist's services are exempt from HST but should she still register so she can reclaim HST paid on office equipment etc? And should all the …

Charging HST Out of Province  
HST charged to AB client? Ontario service sold to Alberta HST? I think you are asking whether an Ontario service company who sells services …

GST/HST Paid on Purchases 
Line 105 means GST/HST paid on purchases? Form GST34-2-E(10) This my first GST/HST return so for example line 101 will receive a zero as I have not …

T2125 Form and Sales Tax 
Entering Expenses Into T2125 Form When entering expenses into the T2125 form, do I include the GST in that expense? Hi Clare, It depends …

Sales Invoices for GST/HST Registrants 
I am just wondering if you could site a CRA reference for your info ( from Creating An Audit Trail ) re: "A legitimate business receipt for CRA …

GST/HST $30,000 Threshold 
How does the $30,000 GST/HST rule actually work for a sole proprietor with employees? If a sole proprietor's company takes in $200K in sales, but …

HST/PST over $10 million revenue 
Do I need to set up a separate general ledger account to separate the PST portion (8%)from the HST general ledger if my annual revenue is over $10,000,000.00 …

Non-Deductible Expenses 
I've read on your site about being able to claim net GST paid on a personal tax return. I am self-employed and file an annual GST return, I always pay …

HST Rebate for Charities 
I stumbled across your site and have appreciated the wealth of information there. I am a bookkeeper for a charity in BC. Prior to July 1, 2010 we were …

GST Overpayment 
I did my GST at the year end and sent the cheque to Revenue Canada...somehow I made a mistake and ended up getting a refund. How do I put this refund …

Accounting for GST/HST 
Accounting for HST/GST When Not An HST/GST Registrant I have a small company and I don't collect GST. What do I do with the GST/PST on receipts …

How To Cancel GST/HST Account 
- - - - - - - - - - Editor's Note March 2024: I updated the information presented in this post on how to cancel your GST/HST account over at …

GST Exempt Services 
First off, I'd like to thank you for all the wonderful information found on your website! Here is my question: I'm planning on starting my own fitness …

GST on Mileage 
When charging mileage as a disbursement to a client I have to collect GST. I charge the current treasury board rate. To calculate the GST to be charged …


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