GST/HST

[thedigitalsiren]

Hello!

I got a GST/HST number today and when I tried to update my account with it, Etsy said the information is wrong. I reviewed it several times, and it all matches.

Is there a specific way the Business Number and GST numbers have to written? I already tried the no spaces, all caps thing and it didn't work.

Or could it be that the account is new, and it might take a few days to go into effect?

I'd try to brute-force it, by inputting the numbers in different ways, but I only have three attempts and I don't want to lose my account. After the first time, Etsy put my account on holiday, which will impact my earnings.

Thanks for the help in advance!

[TreeTreasuresCanada]

The GST number should be written 123456789RT0001.  Are you trading as an individual or a corporation?

[thedigitalsiren]

Yeah, found an old post that explained that, and tried, but still nothing.

And it's a partnership, as of last week.

[luxcrafter]

You are aware I hope that by entering your GST number you are telling Etsy to no longer collect any GST or HST from your Canadian customers, and according to Etsy it suggests adding that cost into your product cost.  Which of course is impossible to do accurately, with tax rates from 5% to 15% across the country. Which means if you don't, CRA will expect you to pay the tax out of whatever your earn.  And if you do, either you get shafted because you tried to downplay the cost so as not to inflate prices by 15% across the board, or your buyers in low-tax rate provinces get shafted because they pay more than they are legally required to do.

I really suggest you talk to a tax lawyer to see if you can forgo providing your tax number to Etsy.  That way Etsy will collect and remit all applicable taxes for you, and nobody is shafted.  I have found nothing on CRA that says you must give your tax number to an online marketplace where you sell.  

[AdventWoodProducts]

My account has shown that error message for over 2 years (ie. since I've been on Etsy).  I finally managed to discuss this with an actual human a few weeks ago and they basically said just ignore it, it's just a bug.  Not very confidence inspiring but clearly they are not going to do anything about it any time soon.

[TreeTreasuresCanada]

@thedigitalsiren  It occurred to me to check your shop and see how tax is being charged.  This would determine whether Etsy considers you to be GST/HST registered.  When I check your shop, no tax is being charged at checkout.   That would indicate that the GST is included in your price.  I'm located in BC so I should be charged PST (unless there is an exemption of PST on digital downloads??)  In any event, as no GST is being charged at checkout, you are responsible for collection of same.

[thedigitalsiren]

Update: I ended up using all my attempts over 2 days and my shop was forcefully paused pending review. I was asking to submit documents, which I did. They were refused (by bot) and more documents requested. Which were again refused by bot.

This went on for several days until someone reached out to me finally and asking for my GST number (which was on all documents I had provided so far). I did, and the next day was contacted by someone else asking again for my GST number. This went on for a few days and I was asked my GST number 4 TIMES in total. All this time my shop was forced paused and I was losing money.

Finally the 4th time I sent the same information again asking them wtf is going on, this time it was accepted and my shop was reopened. I'm now finally set up, but it was the most ridiculous and frustrating process ever and I lost 2 weeks of sales.

[KuronamiStore]

Having the same issue and no one I. Support has reached out to me.