How to Register for a Tax Number with Revenue Québec (TPS/TVQ) — Montreal CPA Firm

Before you can charge GST and QST, you must register for a tax number with both the CRA (GST) and Revenue Québec (QST). Many new entrepreneurs believe obtaining a tax number is complicated, but the real risk lies in registering late, choosing the wrong effective date, or failing to configure your systems afterward. This guide explains how to register for a Tax Number (TPS/TVQ) through Revenue Québec using the same high-precision process we apply for all Mackisen clients.

Why Registering for QST/GST Matters
Your tax number allows you to:
Charge GST/QST legally
Claim Input Tax Refunds (ITRs) and Input Tax Credits (ITCs)
File returns
Avoid penalties for unregistered commercial activity
If you do not register on time, Revenue Québec may force registration, reassess you retroactively, deny your credits, and penalize you.

Legal and Regulatory Framework
GST registration falls under the Excise Tax Act; QST registration falls under the Tax Administration Act. Revenue Québec enforces mandatory registration once taxable worldwide revenues exceed $30,000. Hickman Motors (1997) reinforces taxpayer documentation duties. Lac d’Amiante (2001) confirms Revenue Québec’s right to reassess late registrants retroactively.

What Happens When You Register Late
Imagine running your business for 18 months, sending invoices with no tax because you thought you were “too small to register.” Revenue Québec matches your bank deposits with your tax filings and determines you should have registered months ago. They assess QST you never collected — leaving you to pay thousands out of pocket. They also deny your ITRs for all expenses before registration and flag your file for review. Many small businesses face this nightmare simply because they misunderstood registration rules.

Learning Section: What You Need Before Registering
NEQ (business number in Quebec)
Business structure details
Estimated revenues
Business activity description
Start date of commercial activities
Banking information for direct deposit
Proper invoicing templates
Correct accounting system tax setup

SEO Learning: Primary and Secondary Keywords
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How to Register for a Tax Number (TPS/TVQ)
Step 1: Create or log into Mon Dossier pour les entreprises
Step 2: Select “Register for a Consumption Tax Account”
Step 3: Choose GST (TPS) and QST (TVQ) registration
Step 4: Enter business identification, activity, and revenue details
Step 5: Provide effective start date
Step 6: Submit the application
Step 7: Receive your TQ and RT numbers
Step 8: Update invoicing and accounting systems

Documentation Section
Registration confirmation
Business identity documents
Banking setup
Invoices showing GST/QST
Internal registration notes
Communication with RQ/CRA
Keep these supporting documents for six years.

Common Mistakes
Choosing the wrong effective date
Failing to register GST at the same time as QST
Incorrect invoicing after registration
Not configuring software for tax
Missing documentation
Not claiming ITRs on eligible expenses

Winning With Revenue Québec and Canada
Mackisen ensures your registration is correct, identifies the optimal effective date, configures your invoicing and accounting system, and builds a compliance file for future audits.

Mackisen Service Hub
We handle full tax registration, invoicing setup, QST/GST filing, refund preparation, and audit preparation.

Why Mackisen
With 35+ years of CPA experience, Mackisen CPA Montreal ensures your tax registration is accurate, strategic, and fully compliant — protecting you from costly mistakes during the early stages of your business.