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When does an influencer need a GST number? 5 things to watch

Short answer

You must register once your taxable sales pass $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or across the last four quarters together. Sales means what you invoiced brands, networks and platforms, before expenses. Free products count toward it at their value. Payments from a US brand still count toward the threshold, even if no GST is charged on that invoice. You can register early by choice.

Rex Tax Inc. · Information checked against official sources. Last updated October 2, 2026 · Published October 2, 2026

Who this is for

Creators, streamers, podcasters, affiliate marketers and online coaches in Canada whose income is growing. If you are well under $30,000 a year and have no plans to register early, bookmark this for later.

The five things

  1. Two tests, not one. If sales in any single calendar quarter pass $30,000, you stop being a small supplier on the sale that took you over. You must charge GST from that sale. If no quarter does, but the last four quarters together pass $30,000, the rule is different. You stop being a small supplier at the end of the month after that quarter. Either way you have 29 days to complete the registration.

  2. Sales means the gross amount. The fee the brand agreed, the affiliate commission before the network’s cut, the platform payout before fees. Profit after your camera and software is not the test.

  3. Free products and trips count. They are income at fair market value, and they are consideration for a taxable supply of your services. A creator paid mostly in product can reach the threshold with little cash.

  4. Foreign brands count toward the threshold. Services to a non-resident client can be zero-rated, so you charge 0% GST on those invoices. But zero-rated sales are still taxable supplies, and they count toward the $30,000. See our guide on charging GST to a US brand.

  5. Registering early can be worth it. Once registered you can claim back the GST on equipment, software and other business costs. If your clients are businesses, they do not mind the GST on your invoice because they claim it back too. Weigh that against the filing routine.

One thing many people do not realize

The $30,000 test looks at taxable supplies, which include zero-rated ones. Content work for a brand outside Canada may be zero-rated, meaning you charge 0% GST. It still counts toward the $30,000 that forces you to register. Creators with mostly US income often assume they are below the line when they are well past it.

What to prepare

  • Income by calendar quarter for the last five quarters, by payer
  • Which payers are in Canada and which are not
  • A list of products and trips received, with approximate values
  • Whether you already have a business number

When professional help may make sense

If you crossed the threshold months ago without noticing, the registration date is backdated to when you should have charged GST. That GST is owed whether or not you collected it. The sooner that is handled, the smaller it is.

How Rex Tax may be able to help

We register you, set up the filing schedule, tell you what to charge each type of client, and prepare the returns. Our GST threshold guide has worked examples.

Official sources

Related guides

This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. It reflects the rules for the 2026 tax year. It has not yet been reviewed by a practitioner. The information was checked against the official sources listed above on the date shown. Rules change. Check the official sources above or ask us. How we prepare these guides.

Close to the threshold?

Send us your income by quarter and who paid it. We tell you whether registration is due, what to charge each client, and how to file. Help is available in English and Punjabi.

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