Pay the GST/HST by instalments
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Find out if you need to pay GST/HST by instalments
When to pay the GST/HST instalments
Method to pay the GST/HST instalments
How to report GST/HST instalment payments on your GST/HST return
Special rules apply to instalment payments for selected listed financial institutions. For more information, see Guide RC4050, GST/HST Information for Selected Listed Financial Institutions.
Find out if you need to pay GST/HST by instalments
If you are an annual filer and your net tax for a fiscal year is $3,000 or more, you may have to make quarterly instalment payments throughout the following fiscal year. If this is the first time you are filing, there are special rules for calculating GST/HST installments and whether you must make them.
If your business has branches or divisions that file separate returns, the threshold limit applies to the total net tax for the whole business, including all branches and divisions.
How to calculate your GST/HST instalment payments
You can calculate your instalment payments online. To use the instalment payment calculator service, see My Business Account or Represent a client. The following determines how to calculate your GST/HST instalment payments based on your situation:
Special rules for the first time you file
If you are an annual filer and if your first year as a GST/HST registrant is shorter than 12 months, you may have to make instalment payments during your next fiscal year even if your net tax is less than $3,000.
You must first prorate your net tax over a full fiscal year. To do this, divide the net tax amount in the first short fiscal year by the number of days you were registered in that fiscal year. Then multiply this amount by 365 days.
If the prorated amount over a full 12 months is $3,000 or more, and your net tax for the next fiscal year will be $3,000 or more, you will need to make instalment payments in the next fiscal year.
Example
You are a sole proprietor. Your first year as an annual filer began on December 1, 2016, and ended on December 31, 2016. Your net tax for those 31 days was $310. To determine if you need to make instalment payments in 2017, prorate your net tax for 2016 as follows:
$310 (net tax for 2016) × 365 (days in a year) ÷ 31 (number of days in your first period) = $3,650
$310 (net tax for 2016) ÷ 31 (number of days in your first period) = $10
$10 × 365 (days in a year) = $3,650
$3,650 net tax over a full year
Since your prorated 2016 net tax is greater than the $3,000 or more threshold, you will need to make equal quarterly instalment payments in 2017 if your 2017 net tax will also be $3,000 or more. To base your instalment payments on your prorated 2016 net tax, calculate the amount of each instalment payment as follows:
$3,650 ÷ 4 = $912.50
You have two payments due on April 30, 2017, both your net tax of $310 for 2016 and your first instalment for 2017 of $912.50.
Base your instalment payments on the previous year
These quarterly payments are usually equal to one-quarter (¼) of your net tax from the previous year.
Example
You are a business with a December 31 fiscal year-end. Your net tax for the 2014 fiscal year was $4,000. You estimate that your net tax for 2015 will be $3,200. We will calculate your quarterly instalments at $1,000 each ($4,000 ÷ 4). However, if you choose to base your instalments on your estimate for 2015, you can make quarterly payments of $800 ($3,200 ÷ 4). Your first instalment is due April 30, 2015. The balance of your net tax for 2014 was due one month earlier, on March 31, 2015.
Base your instalment payments on the current year
You may also choose to base your quarterly instalment payments on an estimate of your net tax for the current year if you expect that it will be less than it was for the previous year.
However, if you estimate your instalments based on your current year and the instalment payments you make are less than the amount you actually should have paid, we will charge instalment interest on the difference.
When to pay the GST/HST instalments
Instalment payments are due within one month after the end of each of your fiscal quarters. To view your instalment due dates online, use the Instalment payment calculator service at My Business Account or at Represent a client.
When a due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday recognized by CRA, we consider your payment to be paid on time if we receive it on the next business day.
Example
You have a December 31 fiscal year-end. Your instalment due dates are as follows:
| Fiscal Quarters | Instalment due dates |
|---|---|
| from January 1 to March 31 | April 30 |
| from April 1 to June 30 | July 31 |
| from July 1 to September 30 | October 31 |
| from October 1 to December 31 | January 31 |
Method to pay the GST/HST instalments
To make your GST/HST instalment payments, use Form RC160, Remittance Voucher - Interim Payments. You still have to make your payment by the due date even if you do not receive your remittance form on time.
When you have completed your calculations and are ready to pay, see Remit (pay) the GST/HST (including instalment payments).
How to report GST/HST instalment payments on your GST/HST return
When you file your GST/HST return at the end of the fiscal year, report the instalment payments you made throughout the year on line 110 of your return.
Generally, if the instalments you paid are less than your net tax, you have to remit the difference. If the instalments you paid are more than your net tax, you can claim the difference as a refund.
Related services and information
My Business Account
GST/HST NETFILE
GST/HST TELEFILE
Represent a Client
Liaison Officer Initiative (LOI)
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