GST Considerations For New Business Owners

The Goods and Services Tax or GST is a consumption tax much more charged on most goods and services sold within Canada, regardless of where your business is positioned. Subject to certain exceptions, all companies are required to charge GST, currently at 5%, plus applicable provincial sales tax return. A business effectively acts as an agent for Revenue Canada by collecting the required taxes and remitting them on a periodic basis. Businesses are also permitted to claim the taxes paid on expenses incurred that relate of their business activities. These are referred to as Input Tax Credit.

Does Your Business Need to Sign up for?

Prior to going into any kind of commercial activity in Canada, all business owners need to figure out how the GST and relevant provincial taxes apply to these guys. Essentially, all businesses that sell goods and services in Canada, for profit, are required to charge GST Application Online in India, except in the following circumstances:

Estimated sales for the business for 4 consecutive calendar quarters is expected to get less than $30,000. Revenue Canada views these businesses as small suppliers and they are therefore exempt.

The business activity is GST exempt. Exempt goods and services includes residential land and property, child care services, most health and medical services etc.

Although a small supplier, i.e. organization with annual sales less than $30,000 is not required to file for GST, in some cases it is beneficial to do so. Since a business can only claim Input Tax credits (GST paid on expenses) if tend to be registered, many businesses, particularly in the start up phase where expenses exceed sales, may find that possibly they are able to recover a significant amount of taxes. This ought to balanced against the potential competitive advantage achieved from not charging the GST, this substance additional administrative costs (hassle) from having to file returns.