← Back to: How to show GST/HST on an invoice
Choose an invoicing tool that adds HST for you
For freelancers and sole proprietors who send invoices every month and want tax lines and reports in one place.
- Puts your GST/HST number on every invoice
- Lets you apply the tax rate for the place of supply
- Totals the tax you collected for your return
Tools that do this, A–ZCompare
- FreshBooksFor freelancers who mostly invoice and get paidTry FreshBooks
- QuickBooks OnlineFor books and the GST/HST return in one placeTry QuickBooks
- Zoho BooksFor small businesses that want to start freeTry Zoho Books
Partner links: we may earn a commission if you sign up through a "Try" button. It doesn't decide which tools we list or what we say about them.
Template, software or a bookkeeper?
Software isn’t the only answer. It depends on how many invoices you send.
| Compare | Template yourself | Invoicing software | Bookkeeper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | A few invoices a quarter | Several invoices a month, clients in different provinces | You also want filing and books done for you |
| Cost | Free | Monthly subscription; some have free plans | Monthly or per-filing fee |
| Rate by province | You look it up | Set once per client | Handled for you |
| Return totals | Add up yourself | Report ready | Filed for you |
Quick fit
Answer all three and we’ll mark the closest tool below. Nothing is marked until you do.
How the three compare on GST/HST
Checked on each vendor’s Canadian site on 14 Oct 2026. Plans and prices change, so confirm on the vendor’s page before you pay.
Swipe or scroll sideways to compare all three tools.
| Feature | FreshBooks | QuickBooks Online | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free planUnregistered small suppliers without an earlier obligation may not need to charge GST/HST. Rule | No | No | Yes, while revenue is up to C$50,000 a year (up to 1,000 invoices a year) |
| Free trial | 30 days, no card | 30 days, no card | 14 days, no card |
| Cheapest paid planRegular monthly price before promotions, excluding tax. | Lite, C$26/mo, up to 5 billable clients | Lite: 1 user, no accountant access; confirm the current price on the vendor site | Standard, C$20/mo, or C$15/mo billed yearly |
| Tax by client’s provinceThe rate usually follows where your client is, not where you are. Rule | Up to two taxes per line (e.g. GST + PST); you enter the rates | Canadian tax codes set up for you, e.g. HST ON 13%, GST/PST BC | Tax rates and tax groups in settings; accounts created since 26 Apr 2026 use Sales Tax Automation |
| GST/HST number on invoicesRequired on invoices of $100 or more so your client can claim the tax back. Rule | Yes, from your business profile | Yes, from the sales tax settings | Stored in tax settings; check that your invoice template shows it |
| Tax paid on expensesYou claim it back as input tax credits; the software needs the receipts. Rule | Tax field on every expense; receipt scanning on Plus and up | Tax codes on expenses and bills; receipt capture on every plan | Reclaimable tax on bills and expenses; 50 receipt scans a month on Free |
| Totals for the GST/HST returnSaves adding up the lines of the return by hand. | Sales Tax Summary report | Prepares the GST/HST return | Prepares GST/HST, QST and PST returns, Free plan included |
| Files the return with CRA for youNone of the three does: you file in GST/HST NETFILE or My Business Account. Rule | No | No (stopped e-filing on 21 April 2020) | No |
| Several currenciesOnly matters if you bill clients outside Canada. | Yes, set per client or invoice | Plans differ; check the pricing page | Professional plan and up |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android | iOS and Android, every plan | iOS and Android |
| Vendor pages we checked | Pricing · Sales tax help | Pricing · Lite plan · Sales tax help | Pricing · Sales tax help |
Who each tool suits
Partner links: we may earn a commission if you sign up through a "Try" button. It doesn't decide which tools we list or what we say about them.
FreshBooks
For freelancers whose work is mostly invoicing and getting paid.
For GST/HSTUp to two taxes per line; your GST/HST number on invoices; Sales Tax Summary report
Start30-day free trial, no card. Lite C$26/mo for up to 5 clients (checked 14 Oct 2026)
Skip it ifyou need payroll and full books from day one
QuickBooks Online
For bookkeeping and GST/HST reporting. Lite has no accountant access; choose another plan if your accountant needs a login.
For GST/HSTCanadian tax codes by province; prepares the GST/HST return for you to file with CRA
Start30-day trial; paid subscription after it. Lite: 1 user, no accountant access. Check the current Canadian price (features checked 14 Oct 2026)
Skip it ifinvoicing is all you need
Zoho Books
For small businesses that want to start on a free plan.
For GST/HSTPrepares GST/HST, QST and PST returns on every plan
StartOngoing Free plan: revenue up to C$50,000 per financial year and up to 1,000 invoices/year. Paid from C$20/mo (checked 14 Oct 2026)
Skip it ifyou only send one or two invoices a quarter
Do you need software at all?
Can I just use a Word or Google Docs template?
Yes, if you send a few invoices a quarter. Check it against the list of required items and update the rate for each client’s province.
Will the software file my GST/HST return?
None of these three does, as of 14 Oct 2026. They prepare the numbers; you file through CRA My Business Account or GST/HST NETFILE, or a bookkeeper files for you.
Do I need software if I’m under $30,000?
Not necessarily. Unregistered small suppliers without an earlier obligation usually do not charge GST/HST. Existing registrants still charge applicable tax. Software can help with invoicing in either case.
Still not sure?
Answer Quick fit above and we’ll mark the closest tool. Or go back to the guide and check what your invoices need first.