Ruby Tax prepares and files HST returns for Ontario businesses, quarterly or annually, including input tax credit review and catch-up on missed periods before CRA assesses you. HST work is quoted per file as a flat fee.
HST is where small businesses get caught most often. Missed filing periods, input tax credits claimed without the paperwork to back them up, or a registration that should have happened a year earlier. We prepare and file the returns, and we check that what you are claiming would survive a CRA review before it goes in.
What we handle
- Quarterly, annual and monthly HST return preparation and filing
- Input tax credit review and documentation check
- Quick Method versus regular method comparison
- HST registration once you cross the threshold
- Catch-up filing for missed periods
- Support if CRA queries or audits a return
What it costs
Quoted per file, because the work depends on your filing frequency, transaction volume and whether your books are current. You get a fixed price in writing before anything starts, and it costs less when bundled with your bookkeeping or corporate return.
Do you need to register?
If your business made more than $30,000 in taxable supplies over four consecutive calendar quarters, registration is mandatory. The obligation starts from the point you crossed the line, not from the day you finally registered, which is what catches people out. If you think you may have passed the threshold without noticing, tell us and we will work out where you actually stand.
Missed periods
Unfiled HST returns accrue penalties and interest whether or not CRA has contacted you, and CRA can assess an arbitrary amount in the absence of a return. Filing voluntarily gives you options that disappear once they assess. We do catch-up filing regularly and it is fixable.
Ask about your HST situation
Describe your setup and we will tell you where you stand, free, within one business day. Call 647-990-7258 or email raj@rubytax.ca.
Common questions about HST returns
When do I have to register for HST in Ontario?
You must register for GST/HST once your business passes $30,000 in taxable revenue over four consecutive calendar quarters. Below that you are a small supplier and registration is optional, though registering early can be worth it if you have significant input tax credits to claim.
How often do I need to file an HST return?
Filing frequency depends on your annual taxable supplies. Most small businesses file annually, larger ones quarterly, and the largest monthly. CRA assigns a reporting period when you register, and it can be changed if your circumstances change.
What happens if I have not filed HST returns for several periods?
Missed periods can be caught up, and doing it voluntarily is better than waiting for CRA to assess you. CRA can raise an arbitrary assessment based on its own estimate, which is usually higher than the real liability, and interest accrues either way.
What is an input tax credit?
An input tax credit is the HST you paid on business purchases, which you claim back against the HST you collected. Reviewing these properly is often where the money is on an HST return, because unclaimed credits are simply lost.
Related services
Also see corporate tax returns (T2), monthly bookkeeping, and HST and payroll registration.