Key points
- Annual filing is standard for registrants with taxable supplies of $1.5 million or less; quarterly up to $6 million; monthly above that.
- Monthly and quarterly returns are due one month after the end of the period.
- Annual filers whose net tax for the previous year was $3,000 or more may have to pay quarterly instalments.
Your reporting period
| Annual taxable supplies | Assigned reporting period | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| $1.5 million or less | Annual | Quarterly or monthly |
| More than $1.5 million up to $6 million | Quarterly | Monthly |
| More than $6 million | Monthly | None |
Annual taxable supplies include zero-rated supplies and those of associates, but exclude exports, financial services, exempt supplies, sales of capital real property and goodwill. You can elect to file more often (Form GST20), which can help cash flow if you usually receive refunds.
Due dates
- Monthly and quarterly filers: return and payment are due one month after the end of the reporting period.
- Annual filers: generally due three months after the fiscal year-end.
- Individuals with business income and a December 31 year-end: the return is due June 15, but any balance owing is due April 30.
You must file a return for every period, even when there is nothing to report (a "nil return"). All registrants except charities and selected listed financial institutions must file electronically; paper returns attract a penalty.
Instalments for annual filers
If you file annually and your net tax for the previous fiscal year was $3,000 or more, you may have to pay quarterly instalments during the current year, generally due one month after the end of each fiscal quarter. Missed or short instalments attract interest.
Practical tip: move the GST/HST you collect into a separate savings account each month. It is the customer's money held in trust for the CRA, not operating cash.
Official sources
Need help applying this to your business?
We work with owner-managed businesses on financing packages, workflows and accounting systems, as fixed-fee projects with clear deliverables.
Book a discovery call