Invoicing and sales tax in Quebec: the self-employed guide

If you invoice clients as a self-employed worker in Quebec, you generally need to charge two taxes: federal GST and provincial QST. Uniquely in Canada, Revenu Québec administers both. PivoPay adds the correct rates to every invoice automatically, so you never calculate them by hand.

Sales taxes that apply in Quebec

Tax	Rate	Administered by
GST — Goods and Services Tax	5%	Revenu Québec (on behalf of the CRA)
QST — Québec Sales Tax	9.975%	Revenu Québec

Small-supplier threshold: $30,000 over four consecutive quarters.

Invoice tax calculator

Amount before tax

Subtotal—

GST (5%) —

QST (9.975%) —

Total to invoice—

PivoPay does this automatically — try it free

How PivoPay calculates your taxes automatically

Add your client

Enter the client and amount. PivoPay already knows your province.

Taxes apply themselves

The right rates appear on each line, calculated on the pre-tax amount.

Send and track

The invoice goes out by email or text, and your tax report builds itself.

Tax specifics in Quebec

▸Quebec is the only province where Revenu Québec administers both the GST and the QST. You file in one place, but they remain two distinct taxes with two separate registration numbers.
▸You must register for both the GST and QST files once your taxable supplies exceed $30,000 over four consecutive quarters. Below that, you are a "small supplier" and registration is optional.
▸QST is calculated on the pre-tax amount — it is no longer charged on top of the GST (that changed in 2013). PivoPay applies this rule correctly on every invoice line.
▸Once registered, you can claim input tax credits (ITCs for GST, ITRs for QST) on your eligible business expenses.

“I never calculate QST by hand anymore. PivoPay adds it to every invoice and my month-end report is already done for my accountant.”

— Freelance photographer, Montreal

Rates shown are for information only and may change. Confirm your situation with your accountant or directly with the Canada Revenue Agency (and Revenu Québec in Quebec).

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to charge GST and QST if I'm just starting out as self-employed in Quebec? ↓

Not while you're a "small supplier" — under $30,000 in taxable supplies over four consecutive quarters. Past that threshold, registering for and collecting both taxes becomes mandatory. Many register voluntarily earlier to claim their input tax credits.

What tax rate do I apply on my invoices in Quebec? ↓

GST is 5% and QST is 9.975%, both calculated on the pre-tax amount. PivoPay applies these rates automatically and shows each tax on its own line, as Revenu Québec requires.

Does PivoPay produce my tax reports for Revenu Québec? ↓

Yes. At the end of each period, PivoPay generates a summary of GST and QST collected, ready to file with Revenu Québec or hand to your accountant. You enter your registration numbers once in your settings.