Canadian Taxes FAQ

Goods and Services tax (GST): A federal-level tax primarily applicable to goods and/or services that are bought and sold for use or consumption within Canada. GST is separate and is collected at a rate of 5% in addition to the PST, which is a provincial level sales tax. Learn more about GST.
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): A combined federal and province-level tax applied only to participating provinces in Canada. The tax rate can differ depending on the province. Learn more about HST.
Provincial Sales Tax (PST): A province-level tax imposed by British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The PST is collected separately and in addition to the GST. Manitoba’s Provincial Sales Tax is known as Retail Sales Tax (RST). Quebec’s Provincial Sales Tax is known as Quebec Sales Tax (QST).

Who is liable to pay indirect taxes in Canada?

Semrush will collect GST/HST/PST/RST/QST on all customers whose billing address is located in Canada. You can check or add your address in the Billing info tab. If necessary, you can update your postal code which will automatically change your province/territory in the billing details.

What is the tax rate for my province/territory?

GST Only

Alberta (5% GST)
Nunavut (5% GST)
Northwest Territories (5% GST)
Yukon (5% GST)

HST Only

Ontario (13%)
New Brunswick (15%)
Newfoundland (15%)
Nova Scotia (15%)
Prince Edward Island (15%)

GST and PST/RST/QST

British Columbia (5% GST + 7% PST)
Manitoba (5% GST + 7% RST)
Quebec (5% GST + 9.97% QST)
Saskatchewan (5% GST + 6% PST)

Tax exemption

You can be exempted from paying the taxes if you provide:

your GST/HST/QST number on the Billing info tab
a valid PST/RST exemption certificate covering the service period. Please send it to our Customer Support Team.

How do I add my GST/HST/QST number?

To add your GST/HST/QST number, please follow these steps:

Sign in your Semrush account.
Under My Profile, choose Subscription Info, then navigate to the Billing info tab.
Under Billing info, choose to edit your Billing info and enter the number in the Business number field.
Enter your number and click Save.

Business Number format to be added to your Billing Info page:

GST/HST

9 digits (business number) + 2 letters (program identifier code) + 4 digits (reference number)

Format Example: 123456789RT0001.

QST

10 digits + TQ + 4 digits

Format Example: 1234567899TQ0001

PST/RST

Please note that we are obliged to collect tax for the following provinces even if you provide a valid Business number, unless you provide a PST/RST exemption certificate.

PST-BC (British Columbia)

PST + 8 digits
Format Example: PST-1234-5678
PST-SK (Saskatchewan)

7 digits
Format Example: 1234567
RST (Manitoba)

7 digits
Format Example: 123456-1

What if I forgot to enter my GST/HST/QST number?

You can add your GST/HST/QST number at any time. Adding it before the next recurring payment will exempt you from GST/HST/QST charges on that invoice and all future invoices, as long as the number remains valid.

What if I forgot to provide a PST/RST exemption certificate?

You can provide a valid PST/RST exemption certificate covering the service period at any time. Please send it to our Customer Support Team. Providing a PST/RST exemption certificate will exempt you from PST/RST charges on all future invoices, as long as the business number remains valid.