Sales tax is the part of freelancing in Canada that trips people up most. GST is 5% everywhere, five provinces combine it into a single HST, and four add their own provincial tax. The rate you charge usually depends on where your client is, not where you are.
You must register for GST/HST once your taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. Services exported to clients outside Canada are generally zero-rated. The calculators below cover sales tax, pricing and getting paid.
1. GST/HST on your invoices
Add or remove the right tax for any province or territory.
2. Price and invoice
Set a rate that covers your costs, set payment terms, and handle late payers.
- Freelance Hourly Rate CalculatorWork out an hourly rate that actually covers your income goal, expenses, and self-employment tax, not just a guess.
- Invoice Due Date Calculator (Net 30, Net 60)Find the exact due date for Net 7, Net 30, Net 60, EOM and 2/10 Net 30 payment terms, with the weekday and any early-payment discount.
- Late Payment Interest CalculatorWork out the interest owed on an overdue invoice from the amount, an annual interest rate and the number of days it is late.
3. Save and receive payments
Set aside income tax from each payment, and check the cost of payments from US or other foreign clients.
- Freelancer Tax Set-Aside CalculatorWork out how much of each client payment to put aside for income tax and social contributions, in any country, so the tax bill is never a surprise.
- International Payment Cost CalculatorCompare two ways of getting paid from abroad, such as a wallet, a transfer service or a bank wire. See the fees, the exchange-rate markup and how much actually arrives.
Questions people ask
Which GST/HST rate do I charge a client in another province?
Generally the rate of the province where the client receives the service. An Alberta freelancer billing an Ontario client usually charges 13% HST.
Do I charge GST/HST to US clients?
Services to non-resident clients are often zero-rated, meaning 0%, but conditions apply. Check the CRA's guidance on exported services.
Is there a Canada income tax calculator here?
Not yet; federal plus provincial income tax needs a table for every province. Use the Freelancer Tax Set-Aside Calculator with your combined rates in the meantime.