How to Check Your GST/QST Account Balance or Refund Status Online

Introduction
Once you’ve filed your GST (Goods and Services Tax) and QST (Quebec Sales Tax) returns, the next step is to monitor your account balance and refund status. Whether you’re expecting a refund or want to confirm that your remittances were received, both the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec (ARQ) offer secure online tools to track your GST/QST accounts in real time.

At Mackisen CPA Montreal, we help business owners set up and monitor their online tax accounts to ensure payments, credits, and refunds are properly applied. This guide walks you step-by-step through how to check your balance, view your refund status, and download account statements for both CRA and Revenu Québec.

Legal and Regulatory Framework
Both agencies require businesses to maintain accurate tax records and monitor their accounts:

• Excise Tax Act (Canada) s.228(1) — requires taxpayers to file and remit GST accurately and track balances.

• Taxation Act (Quebec) s.407 — mandates QST reporting and payment verification.

• Tax Administration Act (Quebec) s.34 — obliges registrants to keep records proving that taxes were remitted or refunded correctly.

• CRA and Revenu Québec Privacy Policies — ensure all account access and correspondence are secured through encrypted authentication.

Checking your account regularly protects your business from missed payments, unclaimed refunds, and incorrect postings that could trigger audits.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your GST Account Balance (CRA)

1. Log in to CRA’s My Business Account (MBA)

   • Go to http://canada.ca/my-business-account.

   • Log in using your CRA credentials or Sign-In Partner (bank login).

   • If you don’t yet have access, select “Register” and follow the prompts using your Business Number (BN).

2. Access the GST/HST Program Account

   • On your dashboard, find your business number (BN) and click on the GST/HST account (suffix “RT0001”).

   • Select “View Account Details” or “View Statement of Account.”

3. View Your Account Balance

   • The account summary displays:

     • Total balance owing (if positive) or refund due (if negative).

     • Filing periods and payment due dates.

     • Pending transactions (returns filed but not processed).

4. Check Refund Status

   • Click on “View Refunds” to see:

     • Date refund was issued.

     • Amount credited or deposited to your bank.

     • Any offset applied to other tax balances.

5. Download Statements or Notices

   • Select “View Mail” to access official CRA notices of assessment, refund confirmations, and filing reminders.

6. If You Spot Errors

   • Contact CRA’s Business Enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525.

   • Keep your confirmation numbers and supporting documents ready.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your QST Account Balance (Revenu Québec)

1. Log in to Revenu Québec’s Mon Dossier

   • Visithttp://revenuquebec.ca/mon-dossier.

   • Click “Mon dossier pour les entreprises” and log in using your ClicSÉQUR ID.

   • If you don’t have an account, select “Register for Mon Dossier” and link your business number (NEQ).

2. Access Your QST Account

   • From the dashboard, select “TVQ/QST Account” under “Programs and Services.”

   • Click “View Account Balance” or “Statement of Account.”

3. Check Balance or Refund

   • The system shows:

     • Current balance owing or refund due.

     • Filing period and due date.

     • Refund processing status and expected deposit date.

4. Download Account Statements

   • Under “Documents”, click “Account Statements and Notices” to view:

     • Notice of Assessment.

     • Refund confirmation letters.

     • Filing and payment history.

5. Monitor Refunds and Payments

   • Refunds typically appear within 10–15 business days of filing.

   • Payments made via online banking appear within 48 hours.

6. Contact Revenu Québec for Issues

   • Call 1-800-567-4692 (business inquiries) if payments or refunds are delayed.

   • Provide your QST number (TQ...) and filing period details.

Jurisprudence and Legal Insight
The courts have confirmed that taxpayers must verify their account balances to maintain compliance:

• Hickman Motors Ltd. v. Canada (SCC 1997) — CRA assessments are presumed correct until the taxpayer presents evidence otherwise.

• Canderel Ltd. v. Canada (SCC 1998) — financial records must reflect commercial reality, not estimates.

• Lac d’Amiante du Québec Ltée (SCC 2001) — Revenu Québec has full authority to demand proof of payments and verify refunds.

Keeping track of your GST/QST balances demonstrates diligence and protects against interest and penalties.

Documentation: Keeping Proof of Compliance
To ensure your records are audit-ready, maintain:

• Screenshots or PDFs of CRA and ARQ account balance pages.

• Notices of Assessment and refund confirmations.

• Bank statements showing payments or deposits.

• Correspondence with CRA or ARQ about adjustments.

• Filing receipts (confirmation numbers) for each return.

At Mackisen CPA Montreal, we set up a Digital Tax Account Tracker for clients automatically saving CRA and Revenu Québec statements for every filing period.

How CRA and Revenu Québec Reconcile Accounts
Both agencies regularly cross-check your filings and payments:

• CRA verifies your remittances against filed GST returns.

• Revenu Québec matches your QST returns with your “Mon Dossier” account.

• If discrepancies arise, they issue a Notice of Assessment or hold refunds pending verification.

Regularly checking your account ensures early detection of errors and faster correction.

Winning With CRA and Revenu Québec
At Mackisen CPA Montreal, our experts help you stay proactive and compliant:

1. Account Setup – We register you for CRA’s My Business Account and Revenu Québec’s Mon Dossier.

2. Balance Monitoring – We review monthly balances and refund activity.

3. Discrepancy Resolution – We liaise with CRA/ARQ to correct misapplied payments.

4. Documentation Archiving – We store account statements for six years for audit readiness.

5. Penalty Relief Applications – If delays or posting errors occur, we file relief requests under Tax Administration Act s.94.1.

Mackisen Service Hub: Simplifying Tax Compliance
Our Mackisen Service Hub provides end-to-end GST/QST monitoring and compliance support:

• Account setup and balance tracking.

• Real-time refund status updates.

• Payment confirmation and reconciliation.

• Audit defense and record retention.

Our bilingual professionals CPA auditors, tax lawyers, and compliance experts trained at McGill, Université de Montréal, and Concordia University, ensure your tax accounts are accurate, transparent, and fully compliant.

Real Client Example
A Montreal tech start-up filed for QST refunds totaling $32,000 but never received payment. Mackisen CPA accessed their Mon Dossier, discovered the refund was held due to a missing direct deposit setup, and resolved the issue within one week. The refund was released, and the client’s account was flagged for priority processing going forward.

Why Mackisen
With more than 35 years of combined CPA and legal experience, Mackisen CPA Montreal ensures your GST/QST balances and refunds are accurate, traceable, and fully documented. We don’t just help you file — we help you track, verify, and protect your financial position year-round.

When you work with Mackisen, every payment, credit, and refund is managed with precision and transparency ensuring compliance, control, and total peace of mind.