Goods and Services Tax (GST): What it is and how it works

Key requirements

A registered business normally reports output tax on sales and claims eligible input tax on business purchases, paying the net balance or receiving a refund. Registration is required before charging or claiming GST; a non-registrant cannot add GST simply because its suppliers charged it. Standard-rated supplies use 9%; qualifying exports and international services use zero-rating. Exempt supplies and out-of-scope transactions are separate categories with different reporting and input-tax effects. Identify the supply, location and qualifying evidence before assigning a code. Returns and net tax generally fall due within one month after the accounting period ends.