SME Accounting
E-commerce accountant in Quebec: find your specialized expert
17/7/2026
E-commerce in Quebec has been booming for years now. With over 27 million Canadians shopping online and a national market worth more than $89 billion, the business opportunities are huge! But online sales also come with accounting and tax obligations that are quite different from a traditional store.
Whether you're selling on Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, or your own website, an e-commerce accountant in Quebec is a must-have partner to help you handle GST/QST, inventory, interprovincial sales, and stay tax compliant. Here's everything you need to know to find the right expert and get your online store's accounting running smoothly.
Handling the books for an e-commerce business is a whole different ballgame compared to a traditional store. There are a lot of unique challenges:
A general accountant might easily miss these unique details. An industry-specific accountant, however, understands these realities and sets up the right systems for you from the get-go.
Quebec has a separate taxation system from the rest of the 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 QST. Registration with the tax authorities must be done separately.
For an e-commerce business, the tax challenges are way more complex:
To dive deeper into the basics of GST and QST, check out our complete guide to GST/QST for businesses.
Once your online store hits $30,000 in taxable sales over four consecutive quarters, you'll need to register for GST (with the CRA) and QST (with Revenu Québec). Just so you know, any business making taxable sales in Quebec has to register for QST, even if they're already registered for GST/HST. It's a unique Quebec rule that a lot of business owners aren't aware of.
Even if you're under the threshold, registering voluntarily can be a smart move. It lets you claim ITCs and ITRs on your business purchases (think web hosting, advertising, inventory, equipment). If you want to get a clearer picture, a detailed guide on GST/QST registration can really help.
The tax authorities; Canada (CRA) and Revenu Québec require rigorous bookkeeping . For an e-commerce business, this means:
Since January 1, 2024, businesses registered for GST and QST have to file their tax returns electronically. If you don't, you'll face penalties.
Depending on your sales, your GST/QST returns will be monthly, quarterly, or annually. If your business is incorporated, you'll also need to file a corporate income tax return (T2 federally, CO-17 provincially). Even if you don't owe any money, you still have to file the return.
Marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify sometimes collect sales tax for you in certain provinces. But remember, this tax collected by the platform doesn't let you off the hook for declaring and remitting the tax yourself to Revenu Québec and the CRA. Always double-check with your accountant to confirm who's responsible for remitting the tax in each situation.
One of the biggest challenges in e-commerce is that tax is based on where you deliver, not where you ship from. So, if your store is in Quebec but you're shipping to Ontario, you'll need to charge Ontario's HST (13%). If you're shipping to Alberta, it's just GST (5%). Here's a quick look at the taxes by province:
| Delivery Province | 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, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., 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 check your 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 e-commerce tax guide in Canada delves deeper into these issues.
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 gets rid of manual data entry and really cuts down on errors. Plus, e-commerce bookkeeping includes multi-currency bank reconciliation and keeping an eye on your payment gateways.
E-commerce businesses can tap into several tax deductions that often go unnoticed:
Check out our complete guide to accountant fees 2026 to compare the costs of these services.
Beyond just keeping you compliant, a specialized accountant acts as a strategic partner. They can advise you on:
Prices vary depending on your transaction volume, tax complexity (like interprovincial or cross-border sales), and the services you need. Here's a realistic breakdown 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 | Per filing |
| T2/CO-17 Corporate Tax Return | $1,000 - $2,500 | Yearly |
| Self-employment Tax (TP1/T1) | $300 - $800 | Yearly |
| Tax and Strategic Advice | $150 - $250/hour | As needed |
| Shopify/Amazon Setup + Accounting Software | $500 - $1,500 | One-time |
For an e-commerce small business making between $200,000 and $500,000 in annual revenue, expect 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 less than the cost of the mistakes they prevent. Misclassifying interstate taxes can lead to tax assessments of several thousand dollars. Since 2023, Bankeo has received over 15,000 requests from entrepreneurs looking for the ideal accountant for their specific needs.
Not all accountants are created equal when it comes to e-commerce. Here are the key things to look for when picking the right pro:
Check out our guide to choosing the right accountant for your business.
Before you hand over your e-commerce accounting to a pro, ask these questions:
If you're a self-employed person selling online, these questions are even more important, because your obligations are different from those of an incorporated company.
Picking the right accounting software is super important for an e-commerce business. The best tools come with built-in integrations for 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 among 1,500+ accountants in Quebec.
Find my accountantYes, as soon as your taxable sales go over $30,000 in four consecutive quarters. In Quebec, registering for QST is separate from GST. Even if you're below the threshold, registering voluntarily lets you claim tax credits on your business expenses.
The tax depends on where you deliver, not your business address. In Quebec: GST (5%) + QST (9.975%). In Ontario: HST (13%). In Alberta: GST only (5%). An e-commerce accountant can set up your platform to automatically apply the right rate.
From $150 to $600/month for bookkeeping, depending on your transaction volume. Annual tax filings (T2/CO-17) cost between $1,000 and $2,500. Plan for 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're still responsible for checking that the amounts are correct and filing your returns. A specialized accountant can help you match Amazon's reports with your tax obligations.
Platform fees (Shopify, Amazon), digital marketing, web hosting, SaaS subscriptions, packaging, shipping, home office costs, and the cost of goods bought for resale are all deductible. Just make sure to keep all your receipts!
QuickBooks Online is super popular in Quebec because it integrates well with Shopify (using A2X or Synder). Xero is also great if you deal with multiple currencies. For smaller shops, Wave (which is free!) might be enough to start.
Every refund needs to be recorded as a negative entry that lowers your income, the tax you collected, and adjusts your inventory. Accounting software with e-commerce integration can automate this for you.
Nope, it's not a must-do. You can totally sell as a self-employed individual (sole proprietorship). However, incorporating becomes a good idea once you hit around $50,000 to $75,000 in annual profits, thanks to the lower tax rate for small businesses.
Any income you get in foreign currencies (like USD or EUR) needs to be converted to Canadian dollars using the exchange rate from the day of the transaction. Any gains or losses from these currency exchanges are considered taxable income or expenses. Good news: software like QuickBooks or Xero can handle these conversions automatically for you!
You can totally start by doing it yourself, especially with free software like Wave. But watch out, the risk of making mistakes goes up quickly as your sales grow! If you're doing more than 50 transactions a month, or selling in multiple provinces, it's a really good idea to get a specialized accountant.
General information provided for guidance purposes only, reflecting current 2026 tax rules. It does not replace the advice of a CPA: always consult a professional for your specific situation.
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