Registering for a GST Account and Charging GST

Your revenue is taxable (see below) and greater than $50,000, you must register for a GST account, collect GST on taxable revenues, and file for GST.

Information needed before you start

  1. Effective date of registration 
    • When do you want to start collecting GST, usually the date when you register a GST account.
  2. Fiscal year for GST/HST purposes 
    • Usually the same as your tax fiscal year.
  3. Total annual revenue 
    • Your annual taxable revenue.
  4. Basic business information
    • Business name
    • BN (if the business already has one)
    • Type of business or organization (such as sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, registered charity)
    • Name and SIN of directors
    • Physical address
    • Mailing address (if different from the physical address)
    • Description of major business activity

For more information, refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/account-register.html .

How to Register

You can register:

  • Online
  • Mail or by fax
  • Telephone

For more information, refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/register.htm .

Registering Online

ONLY the community league’s directors on CRA’s profile can apply.  The images displayed below give a step-by-step walkthrough. Please refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/bro-register.html.

Step 1: Click Register Now

Step 2: Verify SIN

Step 3: Existing business number

Step 4: Register an RT account

Registering by Mail

Download RC1 form from https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/rc1.html . You may use the image below as reference.

RC1 form

 

Filing GST

Due dates for filing a GST/HST

The personalized GST/HST return (Form GST34-2) will show your due date at the top of the form. The due date of your return is determined by your reporting period. This form will be mailed to your physical location.

For more information, please refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/complete-file-when.html.

Calculate the net tax

Follow the CRA GST calculation guideline on https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/complete-file-calculate-net-tax.html. Refer to the image below for reference.

 

Complete and file a return (methods in red are most common ways to file GST )

  • My Business Account
  • Paper filing
  • online banking
  • Represent a client (accountant/bookkeeper and file GST with their representative access)
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
  • GST/HST TELEFILE
  • GST/HST Internet File Transfer
  • NETFILE

 

Once CRA receive your GST/HST return, they will send you a notice of assessment if either:

    • They owe you a refund or rebate or;
    • Your amount owing is more than the payment you made.

 

If CRA send you a notice of assessment and you are registered to receive email notifications, they will send a notification that there is mail for you in My Business Account. If you are not registered for email notifications, they will mail you your notice of assessment.

If there is an amount owing, CRA will send you both your notice and Form RC159, Remittance Voucher – Amount Owing – personalized. Use this form to pay any outstanding amount. 

To view the status and the details of a previously filed GST/HST return, see My Business Account.

For more information, please refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/complete-file-when.html .

Your History

To view your selection process from the GST Tool, please click the image below: