Use the CRA’s free GST/HST Registry to confirm that a business charging GST/HST was registered on the transaction date. It confirms a supplied number; it is not a public directory for finding a business by name. CRA: Confirming a GST/HST account number
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
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
If the result does not match, do not replace it with a web search. Ask the supplier to confirm or correct the number and name. 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 Revenu Québec matter, not a CRA GST/HST Registry search.
Keep the evidence with the invoice
CRA says to print the Search Details screen. Keep it with the invoice and the records showing what was purchased and its business use. That gives the result its proper context if the purchase is reviewed later.