SME Accounting
E-commerce accountant in Quebec: Find your specialized expert
July 17, 2026
The E-commerce in Quebec has been experiencing steady growth 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 mean Accounting and Tax Obligations which are quite different from those of a traditional business.
Whether you sell on Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, or your own website, a 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 accounting for your online store.
Managing the accounting for an e-commerce business e-commerce is nothing like that of a traditional business. The challenges are numerous:
A general accountant may overlook these specific details. A Accountants Specializing by Industry understands these realities and implements tailored systems from the very beginning.
Quebec has a separate tax system and 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 not automatically with the QST. Registration with Revenu Québec must be done separately.
For an e-commerce business, tax challenges are multiplied:
To learn more about the basics of the GST and QST, check out our Comprehensive GST/QST Guide for Businesses.
As soon as your online store exceeds $30,000 in taxable sales If you have revenue for 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-specific rule that many entrepreneurs are unaware of.
Even if you’re below the threshold, voluntary registration can be beneficial: 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 see things more clearly.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec require a Rigorous Bookkeeping. For an e-commerce business, this means:
As of January 1, 2024, businesses registered for 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 due monthly, quarterly, or annually. You must also file a corporate tax return (T2 at the federal level, CO-17 at the provincial level) if your business is incorporated. Even if no tax is due, 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 to file and remit 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 Tax is based on the delivery location, not at 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%). Here’s an overview of taxes by province:
| Delivery Province | Tax applies | 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 + PST | 12% |
| New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador | HST | 15% |
For Sales in the United States or internationally, the rules are changing again. The Government of Canada 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 obligations to sales tax 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 E-commerce Tax Guide for Canada explores these issues in greater depth.
Are you looking for an accountant who understands the realities of e-commerce? Bankeo connects you, for free, with an expert from among 1,500+ accountants 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 service bookkeeping Tailored to e-commerce, this service also covers multi-currency bank reconciliation and payment gateway monitoring.
E-commerce businesses have access to several tax deductions often underutilized:
Check out our Comprehensive Guide to Accounting Rates for 2026 to compare the costs of these services.
Beyond compliance, a specialized accountant plays the role of 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 price guide based on Quebec market rates 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 Filings | $150 - $400 | By tax return |
| T2/CO-17 Return (Corporation) | $1,000 - $2,500 | Annual |
| Self-Employed Tax Return (TP1/T1) | $300 - $800 | Annual |
| Tax and Strategic Consulting | $150-$250/hour | On demand |
| Shopify/Amazon Setup + Accounting Software | $500 - $1,500 | Unique |
For an e-commerce SME with annual revenue between $200,000 and $500,000, plan for a total accounting budget of $5,000 to $12,000 per year. Compare these rates with ours Guide to Accounting Costs in Quebec.
The cost of an accountant specializing in e-commerce is often less than the cost of the mistakes they help prevent. Incorrect classification of interprovincial taxes can result in notices of assessment totaling several thousand dollars. Since 2023, Bankeo has received more than 15,000 requests from entrepreneurs looking for the ideal accountant for their business.
Not all accountants are equally qualified 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 self-employed worker If you sell online, these issues are all the more important, since 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 free, personalized matching from a pool of over 1,500 accountants 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.
Taxes depend 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 tax rate.
From $150 to $600 per month for bookkeeping, 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 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, collected tax, and adjusts inventory. Software with e-commerce integration automates this process.
It’s not mandatory. You can sell 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 get started with free software like Wave, but the risk of errors increases rapidly as your transaction volume grows. If you have more than 50 transactions per month or sell in multiple provinces, a specialized accountant is highly recommended.
General information provided for informational purposes only, based on known 2026 tax rules. It is not a substitute for the advice of a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): always consult a professional regarding your specific situation.
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