What Happens After You Register for GST in Canada?
You hit the $30,000 threshold, registered for your GST/HST account, and got your Business Number from CRA. Now what? Most guides stop at registration. This one starts there.
Quick Answer
Once registered, you must charge GST/HST on every taxable invoice to Canadian clients, include your registration number on every invoice, and file returns on CRA's assigned schedule. Most new registrants file annually with payment due April 30 and the return due June 15. The Quick Method saves most service providers money and eliminates ITC tracking.
Not registered yet? Read when you need to register for GST/HST in Canada first.
Your Business Number and GST Account
When CRA approves your registration they issue a 9-digit Business Number (BN) with a GST/HST program account attached — it looks like 123456789 RT0001. The RT refers to your GST/HST account. Keep this number somewhere accessible — you'll put it on every invoice you send from now on.
What Changes on Day One
Three things are now true that weren't true yesterday:
You must charge GST/HST on every taxable sale.
This is not optional. From the date your registration is effective, every invoice needs to include GST/HST on top of your rate.
You must track GST/HST separately from your income.
The GST you collect belongs to CRA, not you. It is not your money. The most common mistake new registrants make is spending it.
You must file GST/HST returns on a schedule.
CRA assigns your filing frequency based on your revenue — usually annual for new registrants under $1.5M.
What to Charge Your Clients
The rate depends on your client's province — specifically where the supply is made, which is usually where your client is located. Use our GST/HST Calculator to determine the right rate for your client.
| Province | Rate | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 13% | HST |
| British Columbia | 5% | GST |
| Alberta | 5% | GST |
| Quebec | 5% | GST |
| Manitoba | 5% | GST |
| Saskatchewan | 5% | GST |
| New Brunswick | 15% | HST |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 15% | HST |
| Nova Scotia | 15% | HST |
| Prince Edward Island | 15% | HST |
| Yukon | 5% | GST |
| Northwest Territories | 5% | GST |
| Nunavut | 5% | GST |
Note: Quebec also charges QST (9.975%) separately. If your client is in Quebec you charge 5% GST and they handle QST on their end — unless you're also registered for QST.
Quick Method vs Regular Method — Which One Saves You More
Once registered you choose how to calculate your remittance. Most side hustlers qualify for the GST Quick Method Calculatorand it's almost always the better choice.
Regular Method
You remit the difference between GST/HST you collected and GST/HST you paid on business expenses. More accurate but more work.
Quick Method
You multiply your total revenue including GST by a flat CRA rate. Less math, less tracking, and for most service-based side hustlers it results in a lower remittance.
Quick Method flat rates for service providers:
- 8.8% if you're in a province with HST
- 3.6% if you're in a province with 5% GST
Worked example — Ontario freelancer, $50,000 revenue
Regular Method: Collected $6,500 HST, paid $800 HST on expenses. Remit $5,700.
Quick Method: $56,500 total including HST × 8.8% = $4,972. Remit $4,972.
Saving: $728 by using the Quick Method.
You hit the $30,000 threshold, registered for your GST/HST account, and got your Business Number from CRA. Now what? Most guides stop at registration. This one starts there. If you haven't registered yet, see our guide on when to register for GST.
Input Tax Credits — The One Upside of Being Registered
Once registered you can claim back the GST/HST you paid on business expenses. These are called Input Tax Credits (ITCs). Learn more in our T2125 guide.
Common expenses that qualify:
- Software subscriptions used for work
- Phone and internet (business portion)
- Equipment and tools
- Home office expenses (business portion)
- Professional fees
You claim ITCs on your GST/HST return — they reduce what you owe CRA. If you're on the Quick Method your ITCs are already built into the flat rate, so you generally can't claim them separately. The Quick Method accounts for them in the lower remittance rate.
Filing Your First GST Return
CRA will assign you a filing frequency based on your revenue:
- Under $1.5M annually — file annually
- $1.5M to $6M — file quarterly
- Over $6M — file monthly
Most new side hustlers file annually. Your return is due three months after your fiscal year end — so if your fiscal year ends December 31, your GST return is due March 31.
Your return covers:
- Total sales including GST/HST collected
- Total GST/HST collected
- Total ITCs claimed
- Net amount owing or refund
File online through CRA My Business Account. Payment is due the same day as your return. For deadline details, check our CRA deadlines page.
What NorthOS Does Once You're Registered
Before registration NorthOS tracks your revenue against the $30,000 threshold. Once you're registered that switches automatically — your dashboard moves from threshold tracking to remittance tracking. NorthOS calculates your estimated GST/HST owing based on your revenue, your province, and your chosen method so you always know what to set aside before your return is due.
Common Mistakes After Registering
Spending the GST you collected.
The GST on your invoices belongs to CRA. Open a separate savings account and transfer it there the day it arrives.
Charging the wrong rate.
Always charge based on your client's province, not yours.
Missing a nil return.
Even if you had zero revenue in a period you still have to file a nil return. Missing it triggers a CRA penalty.
Not putting your BN on invoices.
Once registered your GST/HST number must appear on every invoice over $30. It's a legal requirement.
Forgetting the election deadline for Quick Method.
You must elect the Quick Method by the due date of your first return for the year you want it to apply. Don't miss it.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax rules can change — always verify with the CRA or a qualified tax professional.