What a Canadian invoice needs
Canada has no single "invoice law" for every business, but there's a clear benchmark: the Input Tax Credit Information Regulations. They list what a GST/HST-registered client needs on your invoice to claim back the tax they paid you. Meet them and your invoice works for any client.
| Invoice total | What it must show |
|---|---|
| Under $100 | Your name or business name, the invoice date, the total amount |
| $100 to $499.99 | The above, plus your GST/HST registration number and the tax charged (or a statement that the price includes it, with the rate) |
| $500 or more | The above, plus the client's name, the payment terms and a description of each item |
Business clients will care most about the $100 and $500 levels. Duebolt prints your number, the client, the due date and itemised lines on every invoice, so you're covered at any amount.
Your business number on the invoice
Your GST/HST account number is your 9-digit business number (BN) followed by the program identifier, for example 812345670 RT0001. That's the number to print. Add it once under Tax & registration numbers and it appears on every invoice, estimate and receipt.
If you're a small supplier (taxable sales of $30,000 or less over four consecutive calendar quarters) you don't have to register. In that case don't charge GST/HST and leave the number empty. Once you go over $30,000 in a single quarter, or over four quarters, you need to register and start charging.
GST, HST and the provinces
The rate depends on the province. These are CRA's current rates:
| Province or territory | Tax | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | HST | 13% |
| Nova Scotia | HST | 14% |
| New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island | HST | 15% |
| Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan, the territories | GST | 5% |
British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec also have a separate provincial sales tax (QST in Quebec), with its own registration and rules. The rate follows the place of supply, which isn't always your own province, so check CRA's guidance when you bill clients elsewhere in Canada.
In Duebolt, choose the rate and rename the tax line to HST or GST so the client sees the right name.
Canadian format details
- Letter paper (8.5 × 11 in), the standard size in Canada.
- Amounts in Canadian dollars. Billing a US client? Switch the currency to USD for that invoice.
- Interac e-Transfer email, or transit, institution and account numbers for a direct deposit.
- Payment terms of 14 days by default; Net 30 is common for business clients.
Last checked October 23, 2026.