GST Registry Search: Check a GST/HST Account

A GST registry search confirms that a business charging GST/HST was registered on the transaction date; it is not a public directory for finding a business number. Run it with three things from the supplier’s invoice: the first nine digits of the GST/HST account number, the business name, and the transaction date.

How to do a GST/HST registry search

Open the GST/HST Registry search on the CRA website.
Enter only the first nine digits of the GST/HST account number — leave out letters such as RT and the four-digit program suffix.
Enter the supplier’s legal, operating, or trading name as it appears on the invoice.
Enter the transaction date shown on the receipt, invoice, or contract.
Print the Search Details screen to make sure you claim input tax credits only for GST/HST charged by suppliers who are registered.

Reading the result

Registered on that date — print the Search Details screen; CRA says this is to make sure you claim input tax credits only for GST/HST charged by suppliers who are registered.
Not registered on that date — CRA says to claim input tax credits only for GST/HST charged by suppliers who are registered.
No result for the name entered — ask the business owner for the exact name they gave to the CRA, then search again.

Have these three details ready

Take them from the supplier’s invoice, receipt, contract, or other business paper:

First nine digits only of the GST/HST account number—do not enter letters such as RT.
The supplier’s legal, operating, or trading name.
The transaction date shown on the document.

For example, if an invoice shows 123456789 RT 0001, enter 123456789, not the full 15-character account number. If the displayed name produces no result, CRA says to ask the owner for the exact name provided to the CRA. CRA registry instructions

Searching by name: the Simplified GST/HST Registry

The registry above needs the supplier’s account number; it does not support a name-only search for regular GST/HST registrants. A name-searchable list does exist, but it covers a different group: the Simplified GST/HST Registry lists only digital-economy businesses — cross-border digital products and services, and platform-based short-term accommodation — registered under the simplified GST/HST rules. It can be searched by business name or business number. A regular Canadian registrant selling goods or on-the-ground services is not in this list; for those suppliers, get the account number from the invoice or the business itself.

Need a business number, not a GST check? This registry only confirms a GST/HST account that’s already known. To find a business number when a supplier hasn’t provided one, contact the supplier directly, or search the federal or provincial corporate registry the business is incorporated under.

Use the result for the right purpose

The registry helps support an input-tax-credit claim by confirming that the supplier charging GST/HST was registered. It does not determine whether the price, rate, supply, commercial use, or invoice documentation makes a particular ITC available. Those are separate requirements. CRA: input tax credits An HST number lookup for an Ontario supplier runs through this same CRA registry — Ontario charges a single 13% HST instead of separate GST and PST.

If the result does not match, do not replace it with a web search. If a supplier has not provided the account number, CRA directs users to contact the supplier and, if necessary, call Business Enquiries at 1-800-959-5525. QST validation is a matter for Revenu Québec, not this CRA GST/HST Registry search.

Print the Search Details screen

CRA says to print the Search Details screen to make sure you claim input tax credits only for GST/HST charged by suppliers who are registered.