On November 21, 2024, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada intends to provide temporary Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) relief on select holiday essentials like groceries, restaurant meals, gifts, and children’s clothing.
Although these proposed changes are subject to parliamentary approval, consistent with standard practice, starting December 14, 2024, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will administer this GST/HST relief based on the proposed provisions once tabled in parliament.
If you are a GST/HST registrant with a reporting period that begins in 2024, you must file your returns electronically (except for charities and selected listed financial institutions). If you don’t, the Canada Revenue Agency may charge you a penalty.
The CRA will waive the penalty if you:
- file monthly or quarterly and
- were not previously required to file electronically and
- are filing a GST/HST return for a filing period beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before April 1, 2024