GST vs HST vs PST/QST
Alberta often means federal GST only (commonly 5%). Ontario commonly uses HST (often 13% as a starting point in generators). BC and Quebec may need GST plus PST or QST on the same PDF.
Our Canada hub generators start with sensible defaults — edit tax lines to match your province. Cross-border US sales tax is a different topic: US sales tax invoice.
- Ontario-style: HST pre-filled in many generators
- Alberta-style: GST only
- BC / Quebec: add PST or QST lines when required
Province cheat sheet (verify before you send)
Provincial rules change — treat this table as a drafting starting point, not tax advice. Open Taxes in the editor and edit lines to match your province and supply.
- Alberta, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut: often GST 5% only
- Ontario: often HST 13% as one combined line
- British Columbia: often GST 5% + PST 7% (separate lines)
- Quebec: often GST 5% + QST 9.975% (separate lines)
- Maritime HST provinces (NS, NB, NL, PEI): often 15% HST — confirm current CRA tables
- Saskatchewan / Manitoba: may use GST + PST — rates and registration differ
What to show on a Canadian invoice
Business name, address, invoice date, unique number, customer details, itemized charges, tax breakdown, total due, and BN when applicable — same spine as the global checklist.
Using the free Canada hub
Open /ca, pick a province-friendly generator such as the HST generator, enter your BN under From, add a logo if you want, adjust Taxes, download PDF — no signup. Estimates and quotes use the same CAD defaults.
Editor walkthrough: how to create an invoice. GST cousins in other markets: Australia, New Zealand, VAT overview.
- Name tax lines GST, HST, PST, or QST the way the client’s province expects
- Do not leave an Ontario HST start on an Alberta GST-only job
- Keep issued PDFs with your records
Create yours free online (next step)
Start on the Canada hub for CAD and province-friendly tax defaults, or open a featured HST/GST layout and edit Taxes before you send. Prefer a proposal first? Use a Canada estimate or quote, then convert when payment is due — invoice vs estimate.
Freelancers: pair this with how to invoice as a freelancer and a short invoice email when you attach the PDF.
Disclaimer
Educational overview only — not tax advice. Confirm GST/HST collection and filing with CRA or your accountant. Provincial rates change; verify before you send.