Sales tax gets more complex the moment you're selling across provincial lines — here's the basic framework.
GST, HST, and QST
GST applies federally, some provinces combine it with a provincial tax into HST, and Quebec applies its own QST alongside GST — the applicable rate depends on the customer's province, not yours.
Registration Thresholds
Below a certain revenue threshold, small suppliers aren't required to register for GST/HST — but once you cross it, registration and collection become mandatory.
Automating Tax Calculation
Most e-commerce platforms support tax rules by province, automatically applying the correct rate at checkout based on the customer's shipping address — configure this correctly, and consult an accountant for anything beyond the basics.
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