GST/HST quick method calculator
Your HST remittance both ways — the regular method versus the quick method — side by side. For Ontario businesses selling in Ontario (13% HST). Runs on this page — nothing is sent anywhere.
Your numbers
Don’t count wages, insurance, or capital purchases like equipment and vehicles — capital purchases keep their input tax credits either way.
Your estimate
- Regular method remittance
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- Quick method remittance
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- Difference per year
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Heads up: the quick method is generally available only while HST-included sales stay at or under $400,000 a year. At the sales you entered, you likely don’t qualify.
Email me this comparison
We’ll send your two remittance numbers plus what electing actually involves — the form, the timing, and the catch to check first. One email, no spam.
Sent. Your numbers are on their way — an accountant will follow up if there’s an obvious move in them.
How this is calculated
Regular method: you remit the 13% HST collected on sales minus the input tax credits on your expenses. Quick method: you remit a reduced flat rate on your HST-included sales — in Ontario, 8.8% for service businesses or 4.4% for businesses that mostly buy goods for resale — plus a 1% bonus credit on the first $30,000 of HST-included sales each year, in exchange for giving up most input tax credits. Capital purchases keep their credits under both methods.
The quick method is an election: generally available while worldwide taxable sales (HST included, counting associated businesses) stay at or under $400,000 over the last four quarters, and off-limits to some businesses whatever their size — accountants, bookkeepers, tax preparers, lawyers, and financial consultants among them. Rates differ outside Ontario and for sales into other provinces. Confirm the current figures before electing.
Source: CRA RC4058: Quick Method of Accounting for GST/HST.
This is general information, not tax advice for your situation. The wrong method quietly costs money every quarter — get started and a Canadian accountant will run it from your real numbers.
Common questions
Who can use the GST/HST quick method?
Most small businesses whose worldwide taxable sales (HST included, together with associated businesses) were $400,000 or less in the last four quarters. Some businesses are excluded regardless of size — accountants, bookkeepers, tax preparers, lawyers, financial consultants, and a few others. You elect in with CRA (form GST74 or My Business Account); it's not automatic.
Do I still charge customers 13% under the quick method?
Yes. Nothing changes on your invoices — you charge full HST as usual. The quick method only changes what you remit to CRA: a reduced flat percentage of your HST-included sales, instead of collected-minus-credits.
Why does the quick method favour service businesses?
Because the flat remittance rate is priced assuming you claim few input tax credits. A consultant or agency with low taxable expenses gives up credits they barely had — and keeps the spread. A business buying lots of taxable materials or inventory usually does better on the regular method.
Stop guessing at HST
Filing method, filing frequency, instalments — small elections that add up. One discovery call and we quote a flat monthly price that includes getting them right.
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