E-commerce in Quebec has been growing steadily for several years. With more than 27 million Canadians shopping online and a national market exceeding $89 billion, the business opportunities are considerable. But online sales also come with accounting and tax obligations that are quite 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 partner for 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 for an e-commerce business is nothing like managing the accounting for a traditional retail business. There are many challenges:
A general accountant may overlook these nuances. An industry-specific accountant understands these realities and implements tailored systems from the outset.
Quebec has a tax system that is separate 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%). Registering for the GST with the CRA does not automatically register you for the QST. You must register separately with Revenu Québec.
For an e-commerce business, the tax challenges are multiplied:
To learn more about the basics of GST and QST, check out our comprehensive 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 making 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-specific requirement that many entrepreneurs are unaware of.
Even if you’re below the threshold, registering voluntarily can be beneficial: it allows you to claim ITCs and RTI credits on your business purchases (web hosting, advertising, inventory, equipment). A detailed guide to GST/QST registration can help you understand the process.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec require strict record-keeping. For an e-commerce business, this means:
As of 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 revenue, your GST/QST returns are filed monthly, quarterly, or annually. You must also file a corporate income tax return (T2 for federal taxes, CO-17 for provincial taxes) if your business is incorporated. Even if no tax is due, the return must still be filed.
Marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify sometimes collect sales tax on your behalf in certain provinces. However, the fact that the platform collects this tax does not exempt you from reporting and remitting the tax yourself to Revenu Québec and the CRA. Always check with your accountant to determine who is responsible for remitting the tax in each scenario.
One of the biggest challenges in e-commerce is that taxes are based on the delivery location, not the shipping location. If your store is in Quebec but you ship to Ontario, you must charge Ontario’s HST (13%). If you ship to Alberta, only the GST (5%) applies. Here is an overview of taxes by province:
| Delivery province | Applicable tax | Total rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | Sales Tax + QST | 14.975% |
| Ontario | HST | 13% |
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 12% |
| Alberta | TPS only | 5% |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 11% |
| Manitoba | TPS + RST | 12% |
| New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador | HST | 15% |
For sales to the United States or internationally, the rules are different. The Canadian government requires non-resident businesses that sell digital goods or services to Canadian consumers to register for GST/HST if their sales exceed $30,000. Conversely, if you sell to U.S. customers, you must verify your sales tax obligations in each state (nexus rules).
An accountant specializing in e-commerce can configure your accounting software to automatically apply the correct tax rate based on the destination. Our guide to e-commerce taxes in Canada explores these issues in greater detail.
Are you looking for an accountant who understands the realities of e-commerce? Bankeo will connect you for free with an expert from among 1,500+ firms in Quebec.
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 data entry and significantly reduces errors. The e-commerce bookkeeping service also covers multi-currency bank reconciliation and payment gateway tracking.
E-commerce businesses have access to several tax deductions that are often underutilized:
Check out our comprehensive guide to 2026 accounting rates to compare the costs of these services.
Beyond compliance, a specialized accountant acts as a strategic partner. They can advise you on:
Rates vary depending on transaction volume, tax complexity (interprovincial and cross-border sales), and the services requested. Here is a realistic rate schedule based on Quebec market prices in 2026:
| Service | Price range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping (0–100 transactions per month) | $150–$300 | Monthly |
| Bookkeeping (100–500 transactions per month) | $300–$600 | Monthly |
| Bookkeeping (500+ transactions per month) | $600–$1,200 | Monthly |
| GST/QST Returns | $150–$400 | By declaration |
| Form T2/CO-17 (corporation) | $1,000 - $2,500 | Annual |
| Self-Employed Tax (TP1/T1) | $300–$800 | Annual |
| Tax and Strategic Consulting | $150–$250/hour | Upon request |
| Shopify/Amazon Setup + Accounting Software | $500–$1,500 | Unique |
For an e-commerce small business with annual revenue between $200,000 and $500,000, budget for total accounting costs of $5,000 to $12,000 per year. Compare these rates with our guide to accounting costs in Quebec.
The cost of hiring an accountant who specializes in e-commerce is often less than the cost of the mistakes they help prevent. Incorrect classification of interprovincial taxes can result in tax assessments of several thousand dollars. Since 2023, Bankeo has matched over 12,000 entrepreneurs with the accountant best suited to their needs.
Not all accountants are created equal when it comes to e-commerce. Here are the key 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 are a self-employed individual selling online, these questions are all the more important, as your obligations differ from those of an incorporated company.
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 inside and out. Bankeo offers a free, personalized match from among 1,500+ accounting firms in Quebec.
Find my accountantYes, as soon as your taxable sales exceed $30,000 over four consecutive quarters. In Quebec, QST registration is separate from GST registration. Even if you’re 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 will configure your platform to automatically apply the correct rate.
Bookkeeping costs range from $150 to $600 per month, depending on the volume of transactions. Annual tax returns (T2/CO-17) cost between $1,000 and $2,500. Plan on a total budget of $5,000 to $12,000 per year for an e-commerce SME.
Amazon collects and remits sales tax in certain Canadian provinces on behalf of third-party sellers, but the rules vary. You remain responsible for verifying that the amounts are correct and for filing your tax returns. A specialized accountant can reconcile Amazon’s reports with your tax obligations.
Platform fees (Shopify, Amazon), digital marketing, web hosting, SaaS subscriptions, packaging, shipping, home office expenses, and the cost of goods purchased for resale are all tax-deductible. Keep all your receipts.
QuickBooks Online is the most popular choice in Quebec thanks to its Shopify integrations (via A2X or Synder). Xero is also excellent for multi-currency transactions. For small shops, Wave (free) may be sufficient to start with.
Each refund must be recorded as a debit entry that reduces revenue and tax collected and adjusts inventory. Software with e-commerce integration automates this process.
It's not mandatory. You can operate as a self-employed individual (sole proprietorship). However, incorporating becomes advantageous when annual profits range from $50,000 to $75,000, thanks to the reduced tax rate for small businesses.
Revenue in foreign currencies (USD, EUR) must be converted to Canadian dollars at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains or losses are taxable income or expenses. Software such as QuickBooks or Xero handles this conversion automatically.
You can start out using free software like Wave, but the risk of errors increases rapidly as your volume grows. If you have more than 50 transactions per month or sell in multiple provinces, a specialized accountant is strongly recommended.
Whether you fill out the form or talk to our team, we will get to know you, your business and the type of bookkeeper you are looking for.
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