Invoicing in Canada

How to invoice in Canada

CAD, GST or HST or PST depending on the province, transit and institution numbers, Interac e-Transfer. What changes by province and what doesn't.

Create a Canadian invoice See an example →

The shape of a Canadian invoice

The CRA sets out what GST/HST registrants must show on an invoice for customers to claim input tax credits. In plain English:

•Your business or trading name
•The date of issue
•The total amount payable
•If GST/HST-registered: your GST/HST number, the rate applied, and the tax amount (or a statement that the total includes GST/HST)
•For larger invoices: the customer's name, terms, and an itemised description
•QST (in Quebec) and PST (in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) shown separately when applicable

For the authoritative current rules, see CRA: GST/HST for businesses.

The Canada-specific fields JupiterInvoice handles

GST, HST, or PST by province

Tax label is editable per invoice so you can show GST, HST, or GST plus PST depending on where your customer is. Multi-line tax for combined federal and provincial breakdowns.

CAD bank fields

Account number, 5-digit transit number, 3-digit institution number. Click-to-copy so your customer's AP can paste directly into RBC, TD, Scotia, BMO, or CIBC online banking.

Cross-border to the US

Many Canadian businesses bill US clients in USD. Multi-currency, SWIFT details, and a clear US wire layout on the invoice. Reverse for US businesses billing into Canada in CAD.

Learn more →

The bits that actually slow Canadian invoices down

The format is standard. The province-by-province tax is where it gets fiddly.

Choosing GST vs HST vs GST+PST

Atlantic provinces and Ontario use HST. Most western provinces use GST plus PST (or QST in Quebec). The rate and label depend on where the customer is, not where you are. JupiterInvoice keeps the tax label per-invoice so you can pick what is right.

Quebec and the French requirement

Invoices to Quebec customers commonly need to be available in French, with QST shown separately. JupiterInvoice supports custom field labels per invoice so you can switch to French wording when needed.

Interac e-Transfer vs wire

Smaller Canadian invoices increasingly settle via Interac e-Transfer to an email address. Larger B2B is wire or EFT. Put both options on the invoice and let your customer choose.

US clients confused by GST

US clients sometimes question the GST line on a Canadian invoice. Often the supply is zero-rated for export, and the invoice should reflect that. Set the tax to zero with a note where applicable.

Canadian invoicing FAQ

Do I need a GST/HST number to send an invoice in Canada?

No. Any business can issue an invoice. GST/HST registration becomes mandatory once your worldwide taxable revenue crosses the small-supplier threshold set by the CRA. Voluntary registration is also possible. If you are not registered, your invoice should not show a GST/HST number or amount.

Do I charge GST, HST, or PST?

It depends on the customer's province (the place of supply), not yours. Atlantic provinces and Ontario use HST. Most other provinces use GST plus a separate provincial sales tax (PST in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba; QST in Quebec). Alberta and the territories generally just have GST.

Do I need to invoice Quebec customers in French?

For B2B in Quebec, French versions of commercial documents are commonly expected and in some cases required by Quebec language law. Many businesses issue a bilingual invoice. JupiterInvoice supports custom labels, so you can swap to French wording where needed.

Can I invoice a Canadian client in USD or another foreign currency?

Yes. There is no rule that Canadian invoices must be in CAD. If you are GST/HST-registered and the supply is taxable, you generally need to also show the tax amount in CAD using the appropriate exchange rate. JupiterInvoice supports multi-currency and historical FX by invoice date.

What is the best way for a Canadian client to pay an invoice?

For smaller B2B: Interac e-Transfer to an email address. For larger B2B: EFT or wire transfer using account number, transit number, and institution number. Cards via Stripe or Square are typical for smaller B2C invoices.

How long do I have to keep invoices for the CRA?

The CRA generally requires business records, including invoices, to be retained for six years from the end of the tax year. JupiterInvoice retains every version of every invoice indefinitely.

A note on what this is. This page is a plain-English orientation to invoicing in Canada, not tax advice. The authoritative source for current rules is the CRA (and Revenu Québec for Quebec-specific matters). For anything that materially affects your tax position, talk to a CPA.