Being able to quickly check your GST/QST account balance or refund status online is essential for every business registered for sales tax in Quebec. Whether you want to confirm how much GST or QST you owe, verify that your payments were received, or track the progress of your refund, Revenu Québec and the CRA provide online portals that give detailed, real-time information. Many business owners are unaware of these tools and end up calling the agencies or waiting for mailed notices, which causes delays and increases the risk of missed deadlines. This guide explains exactly how to check your GST/QST account online, how to interpret the balances, and what to do if the system shows an unexpected amount owing or a refund delay. Proper monitoring of your GST/QST account is a simple but powerful way to avoid penalties, interest, and audit triggers.

Checking your GST/QST account online helps ensure that every remittance has been processed correctly and that your FPZ-500-V GST/QST return matches the amounts recorded by Revenu Québec. Small differences between your bookkeeping and the government’s records can cause payment misallocations or unnecessary audit flags. Online access also allows you to monitor refund timelines, track past returns, download notices of assessment, and confirm that your GST/QST credits were accepted.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

GST and QST balances are calculated under the Excise Tax Act and the Quebec Taxation Act. Taxpayers are legally required to file GST/QST returns and remit the amounts owing by the prescribed deadlines. The official balance shown on your Revenu Québec online portal reflects the amounts filed, the tax assessed, and any payments applied. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of these figures, maintain proper documentation, and address discrepancies promptly.

Revenu Québec provides the My Account for Business platform, which is the official online system used to check GST/QST balances, refund status, processing times, and past return information. The CRA also maintains GST information for federally registered activities, particularly for businesses outside Quebec or in harmonized environments. Access to these portals is protected by security protocols, and taxpayers must maintain accurate credentials. Regular use of these systems ensures compliance, prevents missed deadlines, and helps you maintain audit-ready records.

KEY COURT DECISIONS

Courts have repeatedly held that taxpayers are responsible for monitoring their own tax accounts. In several Quebec decisions, businesses argued that they relied on verbal confirmations or informal communications regarding GST/QST balances, but judges ruled that online records and written notices are the authoritative sources. In past cases involving refund delays, courts emphasized that taxpayers must provide complete documentation and verify their account frequently. If discrepancies arise and the taxpayer fails to act promptly, adjustments and interest are valid.

These rulings show that checking your GST/QST account online is not optional. It is part of your obligation to ensure your tax filings and payments are accurate. Courts consistently support the position that taxpayers must verify their accounts and keep records that match their returns.

WHY CRA AND REVENU QUÉBEC TARGET THESE ISSUES

Revenu Québec and the CRA monitor GST/QST accounts closely because discrepancies often indicate missing returns, incomplete records, or unpaid balances. If your GST/QST balance remains unpaid for too long or your refund appears abnormally high, the system may automatically trigger an audit. Incorrect refunds, duplicate payments, or unexplained credits often result in desk audits or requests for supporting documents. When businesses do not regularly check their GST/QST account, small issues can grow into interest charges, penalties, or full audits.

Refund delays are another major trigger. If Revenu Québec believes your input tax credits are unusually large or inconsistent with your industry, they may withhold the refund until additional verification is completed. By checking your GST/QST account online, you can track refund stages and respond to government requests quickly.

MACKISEN STRATEGY

At Mackisen CPA, we guide clients through setting up online access and checking their GST/QST accounts regularly. We ensure that every GST/QST return matches the amounts shown in the online portal, and we immediately investigate discrepancies. Our team reconciles balances with your bookkeeping software, confirms that remittances were processed correctly, and resolves misallocations with Revenu Québec when necessary. We also assist clients in tracking refund status, uploading supporting documents, and responding to government reviews to ensure the refund is released promptly.

Our firm emphasizes monthly monitoring of GST/QST accounts as part of best bookkeeping practices. This helps catch errors early, strengthens compliance, and prevents unexpected assessments. We also help clients interpret the online balances, understand adjustments, and implement automated reminders for filing deadlines.

REAL CLIENT EXPERIENCE

One of our clients, a construction contractor, filed GST/QST returns quarterly but never checked their online account. Payments were mistakenly applied to the wrong period, creating an artificial balance owing. Revenu Québec issued a collection notice because the balance appeared unpaid. After reviewing their GST/QST account, Mackisen reallocated payments, corrected the misapplied amounts, and resolved the issue without penalties.

Another client, a freelance designer, filed a return showing a large refund. Revenu Québec delayed the refund pending additional verification. By checking their GST/QST account online, we saw the status updated to “under review,” and quickly submitted the missing documents. The refund was released within days instead of months.

A retailer with multiple locations used the online portal to identify a missing GST/QST return that their previous bookkeeper forgot to file. We filed the late return immediately, preventing penalties and avoiding an audit.

COMMON QUESTIONS

How do I check my GST/QST account balance online
Sign in to My Account for Business on the Revenu Québec website, choose Consumption Taxes, then review your balance and return history.

Can I check my GST/QST refund status online
Yes. Refund progress is shown under the GST/QST returns section. Statuses include received, processing, under review, and completed.

Do I need a Revenu Québec identification number to access my account
Yes. You need your Revenu Québec access code, identification number, and business number.

What if the balance online does not match my bookkeeping
This usually means a payment was misapplied or a return is missing. Mackisen can reconcile and correct it with Revenu Québec.

Can I see past GST/QST returns online
Yes. You can view filed returns, assessments, notices, and account statements for several years.

WHY MACKISEN

With more than 35 years of combined CPA experience, Mackisen CPA Montreal helps businesses stay compliant while recovering the taxes they’re entitled to. Whether you’re filing your first GST/QST return or optimizing multi-year refunds, our expert team ensures precision, transparency, and protection from audit risk. We assist businesses in monitoring accounts, reconciling balances, and resolving discrepancies efficiently.