A return is only as good as the books behind it
Filing a GST/HST return takes a few minutes. Getting the numbers right takes the rest of the period: every sale recorded with the right tax, every purchase backed by a receipt that supports the input tax credit, and every account reconciled so nothing is counted twice or missed. That is why we file from your monthly bookkeeping rather than as a separate job at the deadline.
Your reporting period and due dates
The CRA assigns a reporting period based on your annual taxable supplies:
- Annual for $1.5 million or less
- Quarterly for more than $1.5 million up to $6 million
- Monthly for more than $6 million
Monthly and quarterly returns are generally due one month after the period ends, and most annual returns three months after year end. Sole proprietors with business income and a December 31 year end have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is due April 30. Electronic filing is mandatory for almost all registrants.
A return still has to be filed for every period, even when there is nothing to pay. Filing late on a balance owing brings a penalty plus interest, which is the most avoidable cost a small business pays.
Behind on GST/HST?
If returns are outstanding, the first job is to reconcile the missing periods so each return is filed from real numbers rather than an estimate. That is scoped as catch-up bookkeeping, with the fee and timeline set out in writing before work starts. If the CRA has sent a letter or opened a GST/HST review or audit, we can act as your authorized representative, from the transaction records to the input tax credits.
New to GST/HST? Our guide to registering and filing covers the small supplier test, voluntary registration and how filing works.