GST/HST Return
Registered businesses must file GST/HST returns and remit net tax for each reporting period. The filing frequency depends on annual taxable revenues: monthly (over CAD 6 million), quarterly (CAD 1.5 million to CAD 6 million), or annual (under CAD 1.5 million). Annual filers with net tax owing above CAD 3,000 must also make quarterly instalment payments.
Who this applies to
- All GST/HST registrants making taxable supplies in Canada above the CAD 30,000 small supplier threshold
- Voluntary registrants (below threshold but chose to register)
- Non-resident vendors registered under the digital services GST/HST rules
- Businesses using the Quick Method of accounting for GST/HST
What to file
Form GST34 (GST/HST Return for Registrants) reporting total sales (Line 101), total GST/HST collected (Line 105), total input tax credits claimed (Line 108), and net tax payable or refund owing. Quebec businesses separately file a QST return with Revenu Quebec.
How to file
Electronically via CRA My Business Account or TELEFILE. Paper filing for small filers who are not required to file electronically. Businesses with annual taxable revenues over CAD 1.5 million are generally required to file electronically.
Payment due
Same day as the filing deadline. Refunds (net ITCs exceeding net tax collected) are generally processed within 2-4 weeks of filing. Annual filers with net tax owing of CAD 3,000 or more in the current or prior year must make quarterly instalment payments.
Penalties for missing this deadline
Failure to file: penalty of 1% of net tax owing plus 0.25% per month for up to 12 months. Instalment interest: charged on deficient instalment payments. Late payment interest: CRA's prescribed rate, compounded daily.
Filing checklist
- Total all taxable sales for the reporting period (note the applicable GST/HST rate for each province)
- Total all eligible input tax credit receipts for purchases made in the period
- Identify any zero-rated or exempt sales to exclude from the GST/HST amount
- Calculate net tax (tax collected minus ITCs)
- File via CRA My Business Account and remit any net tax owing
- File the Quebec QST return separately if applicable
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming ITCs for purchases that are not used in commercial activities (home-use portion of mixed-use assets)
- Charging HST at the wrong rate for supplies in different provinces (place-of-supply rules)
- Missing the instalment requirement when annual net tax exceeds CAD 3,000
- Not separating zero-rated supplies (which generate ITCs) from exempt supplies (which do not)
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