GST made manageable for Edmonton businesses
Many of our clients collect and submit sales taxes as part of running their business. In Alberta, that means the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). There is no provincial sales tax here, which keeps things simpler than in many provinces, but GST still comes with its own registration rules, reporting periods, deadlines and record-keeping requirements.
Our experienced staff prepare GST returns for self-employed people, taxi and ride-share drivers, small and medium size businesses and corporations in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and the surrounding areas. Beyond filing, we develop tax-minimization strategies to optimize your after-tax position, such as making sure you claim the input tax credits you're entitled to and choosing the reporting approach that suits your business.
Because GST connects directly to your bookkeeping, we often handle both together. When your books are up to date and organized, your GST return becomes a straightforward summary rather than a last-minute search for receipts.
Do you need to register for GST?
In general, you must register for GST once your taxable revenues exceed $30,000 in four consecutive calendar quarters. This is known as the small supplier threshold. Below it, registration is usually optional, and some businesses choose to register voluntarily so they can claim input tax credits on their business expenses.
Some businesses must register no matter how much they earn. Taxi drivers and commercial ride-sharing drivers, such as Uber drivers, must register for GST regardless of their revenue. Food-delivery-only work, such as Skip deliveries, follows the regular small-supplier rule. We'll look at your activities and confirm what applies to you.
- Small supplier threshold: $30,000 in four consecutive calendar quarters
- Taxi and ride-share drivers: must register regardless of earnings
- Food-delivery-only drivers: regular small-supplier rule
- Voluntary registration: possible, with pros and cons to weigh
- Once registered: charge GST, file returns and keep records
What our GST service includes
We handle the full GST cycle, from deciding whether to register to answering CRA questions.
Registration advice
We look at your revenue, type of work and plans to help you decide whether you must register or would benefit from registering voluntarily.
Return preparation
We calculate the GST you collected and the input tax credits you can claim, and prepare your return for each reporting period.
Input tax credit review
We review your business expenses so you claim the GST paid on eligible purchases and don't miss credits you're entitled to.
Method comparison
Where you may be eligible, we compare the regular method with the quick method and help you choose the approach that makes sense.
Tax-minimization strategies
We look at timing, record-keeping and your business set-up to help optimize your after-tax position within the rules.
GST audits
If the CRA reviews or audits your GST returns, we help you gather documents and respond through our CRA compliance service.
Input tax credits: recovering the GST you pay
When you are registered, you generally charge GST on your taxable sales and can claim back the GST you paid on purchases used in your business. These claims are called input tax credits, or ITCs. Your GST return reports the difference: if you collected more than you paid, you remit the balance; if you paid more, you may be entitled to a refund.
Typical examples include GST paid on supplies, equipment, business phone and internet costs, professional fees and, for drivers, vehicle costs in proportion to business use. Not every expense qualifies, and personal-use portions must be left out, so we review your expenses carefully rather than claiming everything automatically.
Every input tax credit needs proper support. Keep invoices and receipts that show the supplier's name, the date, the amount paid, the GST charged and, where applicable, the supplier's GST registration number. We'll let you know what documentation the CRA expects for your type of purchases.
Reporting periods at a glance
Your reporting period sets the rhythm of your GST filings, and your deadlines follow from it.
| Reporting period | Often suits | Things to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | Smaller businesses and many self-employed people | One return a year, but you still track GST all year and may need to make instalment payments |
| Quarterly | Businesses with moderate revenue, or those who elect it | Four returns a year, which keeps each balance smaller and easier to plan for |
| Monthly | Larger businesses, or those who elect it | More frequent filing, which some businesses choose when they regularly expect refunds |
Deadlines, the quick method and other choices
GST returns are filed monthly, quarterly or annually depending on your revenue and any elections you make, and your filing and payment deadlines depend on that reporting period. Individuals with business income who file annually may also have different dates from corporations. Rather than rely on general rules, we'll confirm the exact deadlines for your account and help you plan around them.
The CRA also offers a simplified way for eligible small businesses to calculate the GST they remit, called the quick method. Instead of claiming input tax credits on most day-to-day expenses, you apply a set rate to your sales. Whether it saves you money depends on your type of business and your expenses, so we compare it with the regular method before recommending either.
Once you are registered, a return is due for every reporting period, even if you had no sales or nothing to remit. Missed returns can lead to penalties, interest and letters from the CRA, so we help you stay on schedule from your first period onward.
GST records to keep
Good records make your return accurate and give you what you need if the CRA asks questions.
Sales side
- Sales invoices showing GST charged
- Platform or trip summaries for drivers
- Deposit and cash sales records
- Credit notes and refunds issued
Purchase side
- Supplier invoices and receipts
- Fuel, repair and vehicle receipts
- Kilometre logbook for business use
- Equipment and asset purchases
Filing records
- Copies of every GST return
- Payment confirmations
- CRA notices and letters
- Records kept for six years
Drivers, digital platforms and GST
Taxi, Uber and Skip drivers have their own GST rules to follow. Taxi drivers and commercial ride-share drivers must register for GST regardless of how much they earn, while food-delivery-only drivers follow the small-supplier rule. Many drivers do more than one type of work, which makes it important to understand how each kind of income is treated.
Since the 2024 calendar year, digital platform operators report sellers' and service providers' income to the CRA. That means the CRA has more information than ever about platform earnings, so your GST and income tax reporting should line up with what the platforms report. We help drivers reconcile their platform summaries and file returns that hold together.