GST/QST and GST/QST;

The GST/QST (Goods and Services Tax) is the federal sales tax, at 5%. The GST/QST is the Quebec rate, at 9.975%. Together, they add 14.975% to the price of most goods and services. In Quebec, the tax authorities administer both. Note that some products are tax-exempt, such as basic foodstuffs (0% tax, but you still receive input tax credits), while others are exempt, such as residential rents and most financial and health services (no tax, and no credits on these activities).

Brief

GST 5% (federal tax) + GST/QST 9.975% (Quebec tax) = 14.975% added to the price
Registration is mandatory once your taxable sales reach $30,000 over four quarters (a rolling year).
Below this threshold, you are considered a "small supplier": registration remains optional; if you exceed $30,000 in a single quarter, it becomes mandatory immediately.
These taxes are not income: you collect them for the State and you hand them over to it;
You recover the tax paid on your business purchases through input tax credits (ITC for GST/QST, ITC for GST/QST)
Once registered, your GST/QST numbers must appear on your invoices.
Certaines PME admissibles peuvent alléger leurs calculs avec la méthode rapide de comptabilité, un mode de remise simplifié à valider avec un comptable

Why does this matter?

C'est l'erreur numéro un des nouveaux entrepreneurs : dépenser la taxe qu'on a perçue. Exemple concret : sur une vente de 1 000 $, vous facturez 50 $ de TPS et 99,75 $ de TVQ, soit 149,75 $ de taxes en plus. Cet argent n'est pas à vous : il faudra le remettre à Revenu Québec. Le réflexe qui sauve : virez les taxes perçues dans un compte à part, comme une tirelire que vous ne touchez pas, pour ne jamais être pris de court le jour de la remise. Bankeo vous présente gratuitement un comptable ou CPA (comptable professionnel agréé) vérifié qui gère votre inscription, vos remises (mensuelles, trimestrielles ou annuelles) et récupère vos crédits sur intrants. On reste à vos côtés.

Une fois inscrit, vos numéros de TPS et de TVQ doivent figurer sur vos factures : vos clients en ont besoin pour réclamer leurs propres crédits. Pour chiffrer vos taxes en quelques secondes, utilisez notre calculateur TPS-TVQ. Bon à savoir : certaines petites entreprises peuvent simplifier leurs remises avec la méthode rapide, un mode de calcul simplifié à valider avec un comptable. Comme pour les déductions à la source, la taxe perçue est détenue pour l'État, jamais un revenu à dépenser. Les seuils d'inscription et les règles de remise sont détaillés par Revenu Québec. Bien encadré, ce mécanisme devient une simple routine : Bankeo vous présente sans frais le comptable qui la met en place et vous accompagne, toujours.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is GST/QST?

These are the two sales taxes you add to the price when you sell in Quebec: the GST (federal) at 5% and the GST/QST at 9.975%, for a total of 14.975%. You collect them from your customers and then remit them to the authorities.

When do I need to register?

As soon as your taxable sales reach $30,000 over four consecutive quarters (three months each). Below this threshold, registration is optional, but it still allows you to reclaim the tax paid on your business purchases (input credits). As long as you remain below this threshold, you officially have "small supplier" status. An important distinction: the threshold is assessed over four consecutive calendar quarters, but if you exceed $30,000 in a single quarter, registration becomes mandatory immediately.

What is the difference between tax-free and exempt?

A tax-free product is taxed at 0%: you don't charge tax (for example, basic food products), but you still receive input tax credits, meaning the tax paid on your business purchases. An exempt product or service is also not taxed (for example, residential rents, most financial and healthcare services), but you don't receive credits on these activities. The distinction may seem technical, but it directly affects your rebates.

How can I be sure I'm managing my taxes and rebates correctly?

Set aside the collected taxes and adhere to your remittance deadlines. Bankeo will connect you with a verified accountant or CPA free of charge to manage your registration, calculate your remittances, and recover your input credits. We're here to support you every step of the way.