E-commerce in Quebec has been growing steadily for several years. With more than 27 million Canadians shopping online and a national market of more than $89 billion, the business opportunities are considerable. But online sales also mean accounting and tax obligations that are very different from those of a traditional business.
Whether you sell on Shopify, Amazon, Etsy or your own website, an accountant specializing in e-commerce in Quebec is an essential ally in managing GST/QST, inventory, interprovincial sales and tax compliance. Here's everything you need to know to find the right expert and optimize your online store's accounting .
Managing the accounting of an e-commerce business is nothing like that of a traditional business. The challenges are numerous:
A general accountant may miss these particularities. An accountant who specializes in each industry understands these realities and puts the right systems in place from the start.
Quebec has a separate tax system from the rest of Canada. Unlike the Harmonized Provinces (HST), Quebec applies two separate taxes: the federal GST (5%) and the provincial QST (9.975%). Your GST registration with the CRA does not automatically register you for the QST. Registration with Revenu Québec must be done separately.
For an e-commerce company, the tax issues are multiplied:
To learn more about the basics of the GST and QST, see our complete GST/QST guide for businesses.
As soon as your online store exceeds $30,000 in taxable sales over four consecutive quarters, you must register for the GST (with the CRA) and the QST (with Revenu Québec). Note that any business that makes a taxable supply in Quebec is required to register for the QST, even if it is already registered for the GST/HST. This is a Quebec particularity that many entrepreneurs are unaware of.
Even below the threshold, voluntary registration can be advantageous: it allows you to claim ITCs and ITRs on your business purchases (web hosting, advertising, inventory, equipment). A detailed guide to GST/QST registration can help you get to the bottom of it.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec require rigorous bookkeeping. For an e-commerce company, this means:
Since January 1, 2024, businesses registered for the GST and QST must file their tax returns electronically. Failure to comply will result in penalties.
Depending on your turnover, your GST/QST returns are monthly, quarterly, or annually. You must also file a corporate income tax return (T2 federally, CO-17 provincially) if your business is incorporated. Even if no amount is owing, the return must be filed.
Marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify sometimes collect sales tax for you in certain provinces. However, this tax collected by the platform does not exempt you from declaring and remitting the tax yourself to Revenu Québec and the CRA. Always check with your accountant who is responsible for the remittance in each scenario.
One of the biggest challenges of e-commerce is that the tax is based on the place of delivery, not the place of shipment. If your store is in Quebec but you ship to Ontario, you must charge the Ontario HST (13%). If you ship to Alberta, only GST (5%). Here is an overview of the taxes by province:
| Province of delivery | Applicable tax | Total Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | GST + QST | 14,975 % |
| Ontario | HST | 13 % |
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 12 % |
| Alberta | GST only | 5 % |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 11 % |
| Manitoba | GST + RST | 12 % |
| New Brunswick, NS, PEI, NL | HST | 15 % |
For sales in the United States or internationally, the rules are still changing. The Government of Canada requires non-resident businesses that sell digital goods or services to Canadian consumers to register for the GST/HST if their sales exceed $30,000. Conversely, if you sell to US customers, you should check your sales tax obligations in each state (nexus rules).
An e-commerce accountant can configure your accounting software to automatically apply the right tax rate based on the destination. Our e-commerce tax guide in Canada delves deeper into these issues.
Are you looking for an accountant who understands the realities of e-commerce? Bankeo matches you with an expert among 1,500+ firms in Quebec for free.
Find my e-commerce accountantAn e-commerce accountant sets up automated systems that sync your sales, refunds, and platform fees directly from Shopify, Amazon, or WooCommerce to your accounting software. This eliminates manual entry and significantly reduces errors. The bookkeeping service adapted to e-commerce also covers multi-currency bank reconciliation and payment gateway monitoring.
E-commerce companies have access to several tax deductions that are often under-exploited:
Check out our full guide to accounting rates 2026 to compare the costs of these services.
Beyond compliance, a specialist accountant plays the role of a strategic partner. They can advise you on:
Rates vary according to the volume of transactions, the tax complexity (interprovincial sales, cross-border) and the services requested. Here is a realistic grid based on Quebec market prices in 2026:
| Service | Price Range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping (0-100 transactions/month) | $150 - $300 | Monthly |
| Bookkeeping (100-500 transactions/month) | $300 - $600 | Monthly |
| Bookkeeping (500+ transactions/month) | $600 - $1,200 | Monthly |
| GST/QST Returns | $150 - $400 | By declaration |
| T2/CO-17 return (corporation) | $1,000 - $2,500 | Yearly |
| Self-employed income tax (TP1/T1) | $300 - $800 | Yearly |
| Tax and strategic advice | $150 - $250/hr | On-demand |
| Shopify/Amazon Setup + Accounting Software | $500 - $1,500 | Unique |
For an e-commerce SME with an annual turnover of between $200,000 and $500,000, plan for a total accounting budget of $5,000 to $12,000 per year. Compare these rates with our guide to accounting costs in Quebec.
The cost of an accountant specializing in e-commerce is often lower than the cost of the errors he prevents. A misclassification of interprovincial taxes can result in notices of assessment of several thousand dollars. Since 2023, Bankeo has matched more than 12,000 entrepreneurs with the ideal accountant for their reality.
Not all accountants are equal when it comes to e-commerce. Here are the essential criteria for choosing the right professional:
Check out our guide to choosing the right accountant for your business.
Before entrusting your e-commerce accounting to a professional, ask these questions:
If you're self-employed selling online, these questions are even more important because your obligations are different from those of an incorporated corporation.
Choosing the right accounting software is crucial for an e-commerce business. The best tools offer native integrations with Shopify, Amazon, and major payment gateways. Here are the most popular options in Quebec:
Check out our comparison of the best accounting software in Quebec for a detailed guide.
Find an accountant who knows e-commerce by heart. Bankeo offers you a free and personalized matching among 1,500+ accounting firms in Quebec.
Find my accountantYes, as soon as your taxable sales exceed $30,000 in four consecutive quarters. In Quebec, QST registration is separate from GST registration. Even below the threshold, voluntary registration allows you to claim tax credits on your business expenses.
The tax depends on the delivery location, not your business address. In Quebec: GST (5%) + QST (9.975%). In Ontario: HST (13%). In Alberta: GST only (5%). An e-commerce accountant configures your platform to automatically apply the right rate.
From $150 to $600/month for bookkeeping depending on the volume of transactions. Annual returns (T2/CO-17) cost between $1,000 and $2,500. Plan a total budget of $5,000 to $12,000 per year for an e-commerce SME.
Amazon collects and remits sales tax in some Canadian provinces for third-party sellers, but the rules vary. You remain responsible for verifying that the amounts are correct and for filing your returns. A specialized accountant can reconcile Amazon reports with your tax obligations.
Platform fees (Shopify, Amazon), digital marketing, web hosting, SaaS subscriptions, packaging, shipping, home office, and the cost of goods purchased for resale are all deductible. Keep all your receipts.
QuickBooks Online is the most popular in Quebec thanks to its Shopify integrations (via A2X or Synder). Xero is also excellent for multi-currency. For small shops, Wave (free) may be enough at first.
Each refund should be recorded as a negative entry that reduces income, tax collected, and adjusts inventory. Software with e-commerce integration automates this process.
It is not mandatory. You can sell as a self-employed person (sole proprietorship). However, incorporation becomes advantageous starting at $50,000 to $75,000 in annual profits thanks to the reduced small business tax rate.
Income in foreign currencies (USD, EUR) must be converted to Canadian dollars at the exchange rate on the day of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains or losses are taxable income or expenses. Software like QuickBooks or Xero handles this conversion automatically.
This is possible at first with free software like Wave, but the chances of errors quickly increase with volume. If you have more than 50 transactions per month or if you sell in several provinces, a specialized accountant is strongly recommended.
Whether it's filling out the form or talking to our team, we'll get to know you, your business, and the type of bookkeeper you're looking for.
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