Question 1

What does CRA require on a Canadian invoice?

Accepted Answer

Per CRA Excise Tax Act regulations, a GST/HST invoice for amounts over $150 must include: (1) supplier's business name, (2) supplier's GST/HST number (Business Number + RT0001), (3) buyer's name, (4) issue date, (5) total amount paid or payable, (6) terms of payment, and (7) brief description of each property/service. Invoices over $30 must additionally show GST/HST as a separate line or state "prices include GST/HST" and identify the rate.

Question 2

How does GST/HST work across provinces?

Accepted Answer

GST 5% applies federally. In HST provinces (ON, NB, NS, PE, NL), HST replaces GST + PST and is charged at the harmonized rate (13% in ON; 15% in the rest). In non-harmonized provinces (AB, BC, SK, MB, QC), you charge 5% GST plus the provincial PST/QST separately. Issueable's two-tax-line support handles GST + PST simultaneously: 5% GST + 7% PST for BC, 5% GST + 6% PST for SK, 5% GST + 7% PST for MB, 5% GST + 9.975% QST for QC.

Question 3

Where do I put my Business Number on the invoice?

Accepted Answer

If you're GST/HST registered, your Business Number with the RT extension (e.g. "123456789RT0001") must appear on every invoice. The standard place is in the supplier block at the top, near your business name and address. Issueable's "Tax ID" field on the from-party renders as "Business Number" when country is set to CA, matching CRA's terminology and the layout customers expect.

Question 4

What's the difference between GST/HST and provincial sales tax?

Accepted Answer

GST/HST is a federal tax administered by CRA; PST/QST/RST are provincial taxes administered by each province's revenue authority. They have separate registration thresholds: $30,000 for GST/HST, varying by province for PST. Most provinces require you to register for PST when you cross their threshold OR when you sell into the province. Issueable's two-tax-line support handles both layers; the math doesn't compound (PST is on the pre-GST amount in every province as of 2026).

Question 5

Do I need to charge GST/HST if I'm under the $30K threshold?

Accepted Answer

No, small suppliers (under $30K in worldwide GST/HST-taxable revenue over the past 4 quarters) are exempt from registration. You don't charge GST/HST on invoices, and you don't claim ITCs on inputs. Once you cross $30K in any 4-quarter period, you must register within 29 days. State on the invoice: "Not registered for GST/HST" so customers know they can't claim an input tax credit on your invoice.

Question 6

How do I invoice US or international customers from Canada?

Accepted Answer

Generally zero-rated (0% GST/HST) for goods exported from Canada and certain services to non-residents. State "Zero-rated supply" on the invoice and don't charge GST/HST. The customer pays in their currency (USD, EUR, etc.) and handles their own jurisdiction's import / consumption tax. Issueable supports any three-letter currency code; for cross-border invoicing, state the exchange method in notes ("Paid via Wise" or "Paid via Stripe at conversion rate on payment date").

Question 7

Can I use this for both English and French Canadian customers?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Issueable accepts any text in any field, so you can issue French-language invoices to Quebec or bilingual customers. Quebec's Charter of the French Language ("Bill 96") may require commercial documentation in French for businesses with Quebec customers; if you operate B2B in Quebec, run your French invoice text past your accountant for compliance. The structure of the invoice (GST + QST split) is identical regardless of language.

Question 8

What about the Canadian Revenue Agency's record-keeping rules?

Accepted Answer

CRA requires GST/HST registrants to keep records for 6 years from the end of the tax year. This includes copies of all invoices issued AND received. Digital storage is acceptable; PDFs work. For unregistered businesses below the threshold, the same 6-year rule applies for general income tax records. Issueable produces archive-friendly PDFs you can store with your accounting software.

Canadian Invoice Generator

From Sole Prop to CCPC

Sole Proprietors

Incorporated Businesses

Cross-Border Service Providers

Multi-Province Operators

Quebec Bilingual Businesses

Canadian Invoice FAQ

What does CRA require on a Canadian invoice?

How does GST/HST work across provinces?

Where do I put my Business Number on the invoice?

What's the difference between GST/HST and provincial sales tax?

Do I need to charge GST/HST if I'm under the $30K threshold?

How do I invoice US or international customers from Canada?

Can I use this for both English and French Canadian customers?

What about the Canadian Revenue Agency's record-keeping rules?

Canada's Patchwork Tax System Made Simple

What Canadian Invoices Need

Two-Tax-Line Support

Business Number on Every Invoice

Zero-Rated Exports

Below-Threshold Disclosure

GST/HST-Compliant Invoices for Canada

Canadian Invoice Generator

From Sole Prop to CCPC

Sole Proprietors

Incorporated Businesses

Cross-Border Service Providers

Multi-Province Operators

Quebec Bilingual Businesses

Canadian Invoice FAQ

What does CRA require on a Canadian invoice?

How does GST/HST work across provinces?

Where do I put my Business Number on the invoice?

What's the difference between GST/HST and provincial sales tax?

Do I need to charge GST/HST if I'm under the $30K threshold?

How do I invoice US or international customers from Canada?

Can I use this for both English and French Canadian customers?

What about the Canadian Revenue Agency's record-keeping rules?

Canada's Patchwork Tax System Made Simple

What Canadian Invoices Need

Two-Tax-Line Support

Business Number on Every Invoice

Zero-Rated Exports

Below-Threshold Disclosure

Related guides

GST/HST-Compliant Invoices for Canada