ARQ QST Compliance Audit — Montreal CPA Firm Near You: Correct 9.975% Handling

An ARQ QST Compliance Audit (Vérification de la conformité à la taxe de vente du Québec) is a detailed review by Revenu Québec to verify whether your business is collecting, remitting, and reporting Québec Sales Tax (QST) correctly. With the QST rate set at 9.975%, even small calculation or filing errors can lead to substantial reassessments and penalties. Mackisen CPA Montreal provides full defense, compliance reviews, and optimization strategies to help you correct QST filings, recover missed Input Tax Refunds (ITRs), and maintain flawless compliance with Québec tax law.

Legal Foundation

Law: QST Act ss. 59, 69, 97–98 (tax collection, documentation, and refund rights); Tax Administration Act art. 93 (audit and inspection powers).
Jurisprudence: Les Produits Forestiers Inc. v. ARQ (2012 CQ) — reaffirmed that QST registrants must maintain sufficient documentation for every taxable transaction to validate input-tax refunds.

Why QST Compliance Audits Matter

Revenu Québec performs data analytics across your FPZ-500-V filings, POS transactions, and bank records to detect variances between declared revenues, QST collected, and input-tax claims. Failing to reconcile these values can trigger penalties of up to 25% and immediate trust-account recovery actions. Mackisen CPA Montreal ensures your filings align with legal thresholds and evidence requirements—protecting your cash flow and reputation.

Learning insight: QST isn’t your revenue—it’s a trust fund held for the government. Treating it properly protects your business from severe financial consequences.

What a Mackisen CPA QST Compliance Review Includes

• Full reconciliation between FPZ-500-V returns and your general ledger.

• Verification of QST collected vs. QST remitted.

• Documentation audit for ITR eligibility (supplier invoices, purchase proofs).

• Validation of zero-rated, exempt, or mixed-supply transactions.

• Cross-verification with CRA GST filings to detect duplicate or missed claims.

Learning insight: A QST return isn’t a number—it’s a narrative. Every invoice must tell a story that supports compliance.

Common Triggers for ARQ QST Compliance Audits

• Frequent QST refund claims without matching purchase documentation.

• Sales declared under $30,000 yet multiple supplier invoices show tax collection.

• Inconsistent remittances or late-filed FPZ-500-V returns.

• Misclassification of interprovincial or cross-border sales.

• Anonymous tip or supplier audit that references your business number.

Mackisen CPA Montreal identifies such risk indicators and preempts ARQ adjustments by proactively aligning your records with statutory requirements.

How Mackisen CPA Handles QST Compliance Audits

1. Conducts a detailed QST-to-general-ledger reconciliation to prove accuracy.

2. Reviews each supplier invoice for ITR validity (name, registration, QST number).

3. Tests zero-rated supplies and exemptions under ss. 13–14 of the QST Act.

4. Rebuilds missing documentation and drafts CPA-certified proof schedules.

5. Negotiates directly with Revenu Québec’s auditors for corrections without penalties.

Learning insight: A QST audit is not about math—it’s about method. A CPA ensures your method meets both legal and practical standards.

Benefits of Professional QST Representation

• Avoids penalties for late or incorrect remittance.

• Recovers missed Input Tax Refunds (ITRs) on eligible purchases.

• Ensures compliance with ARQ’s cross-border and digital-supply rules.

• Improves internal accounting controls for future reporting.

• Builds a permanent QST compliance file for lenders and investors.

Learning insight: The right QST process doesn’t just prevent penalties—it earns trust from tax authorities and financial partners alike.

SEO Optimization and Learning Value

Primary Keywords: ARQ QST Compliance Audit, Mackisen CPA Montreal, CPA Firm Near You, Québec Sales Tax Audit, 9.975% QST Handling, FPZ-500-V Filing.
Secondary Keywords: Revenu Québec QST verification, QST refund documentation, Input Tax Refund audit, GST QST reconciliation, Mackisen CPA QST review.

Learning insight: In Québec, every sale carries legal weight. Mackisen CPA ensures your QST records carry professional strength.

Real Client Success

• A retail chain avoided $65,000 in penalties after Mackisen CPA corrected its misclassified exempt sales and provided full QST reconciliations.

• A construction company recovered $48,000 in ITR credits previously denied by ARQ due to incomplete supplier invoices.

• An e-commerce platform resolved a cross-border QST dispute when we proved that digital supplies were zero-rated under Schedule I.

Why Mackisen CPA Montreal

With over 35 years of combined tax, audit, and compliance expertise, Mackisen CPA Montreal specializes in Québec’s complex dual-tax system (CRA and ARQ). Our bilingual team understands the difference between compliance and exposure—and we help your company stay firmly on the compliant side.

Learning insight: In Québec, one number—9.975%—can define your compliance reputation. Mackisen CPA ensures it defines your accuracy instead.