The Goods and Services Tax Registration in India Online and Services Tax or GST is a consumption tax which charged on most goods and services sold within Canada, regardless of where your business is available. Subject to certain exceptions, all businesses are required to charge GST, currently at 5%, plus applicable provincial sales taxation’s. A business effectively acts as an agent for Revenue Canada by collecting the required taxes and remitting them on a periodic basis. Businesses likewise permitted to claim the taxes paid on expenses incurred that relate back to their business activities. Components referred to as Input Tax Credits.
Does Your Business Need to File?
Prior to engaging in any kind of business activity in Canada, all business owners need to determine how the GST and relevant provincial taxes apply to these guys. Essentially, all businesses that sell goods and services in Canada, for profit, should always charge GST, except in the following circumstances:
Estimated sales for your business for 4 consecutive calendar quarters is expected turn out to be less than $30,000. Revenue Canada views these businesses as small suppliers and are also 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 and many others.
Although a small supplier, i.e. an online-business 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 is able to claim Input Tax credits (GST paid on expenses) if they are registered, many businesses, particularly in start off up phase where expenses exceed sales, may find that they are able to recover a significant amount of taxes. This have to be balanced against the opportunity competitive advantage achieved from not charging the GST, and the additional administrative costs (hassle) from in order to file returns.