Generally, you will need to register for your business number (BN) before you can register for a GST/HST account.
You may register for a BN by using the online service at Business Registration Online (BRO). This is the quickest way to register for a BN. Once you have obtained your BN, you can then continue in the same session to register for a GST/HST account.
When you register for a BN using BRO, you will be provided with a new nine-digit BN. You must retain this new BN for your own records and future interactions with the CRA .
If you already have a BN and only need to register for a GST/HST account, you can still use the following button.
Once you have obtained your BN, read the information below on opening a GST/HST account.
For more information, see:
For more information on registering for a BN and any other program you may need (such as payroll deduction), see How to register for a business number or Canada Revenue Agency program accounts.
Make sure to have all of the following information with you when you register:
Mandatory registration The effective date of registration may be different depending on the type of business you are registering. Your effective date of registration is usually the day you stop being a small supplier. It can also be an earlier date. For more information about the small-supplier limits for different types of businesses, see When to register for and start charging the GST/HST. Taxi operator or commercial ride-sharing driver Your effective date of registration is the day you start supplying taxable passenger transportation services, even if you are a small supplier. Voluntary registration If you request your GST/HST account when you are still a small supplier, your effective date of registration is usually the date of your request. It may also start up to 30 days before that day.
However, some persons use non-calendar tax years. If you are a person described above that uses a non-calendar tax year approved by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you may want to use that same year as your GST/HST fiscal year.
A corporation generally uses the same fiscal year for both income tax purposes and GST/HST purposes. However, if a corporation has a non-calendar tax year for income tax purposes, it can elect to use a calendar year for its GST/HST fiscal year.
If you are a corporation that uses a non-calendar year for both income tax purposes and GST/HST purposes, and you change to another non-calendar tax year for income tax purposes, inform the CRA of the change as soon as possible and your GST/HST fiscal year will be changed to match it. For more information, see Open or manage an account – Make changes: Fiscal year.
Do not include revenues from:
New businesses
If you are just starting your business, you may give the CRA a reasonable estimate of your income for the year.
How the CRA uses your personal postal code (where you live)
The CRA uses your personal postal code to verify your identity. The CRA checks the postal code you enter against the postal code we have on file for you as an individual, not the one on file for your business.
If you have recently moved, you should make sure we have the right postal code on file for you by calling Individual Income Tax Enquiries.
Basic business information
You must provide the following information about your business:
If you charged the tax on your sales more than 30 days before registering, call 1-800-959-5525.
You will receive a GST/HST account number either electronically or in the mail, depending on the chosen method of registration, to confirm that your registration is complete.
Register for My Business Account to manage your program accounts online.
As a GST/HST registrant, you: