Review the supply and the source document
Nova Scotia’s ordinary HST rate has been 14% since April 1, 2025. Place-of-supply and other rules still determine the treatment of a transaction, so a Halifax business address does not make every sale subject to that rate.
We retain tax details on sales, purchases and credit notes. Eligible input tax credits require supporting documents and the relevant conditions. Exempt activities, unusual purchases and interprovincial transactions are identified for a separate review.
An ordinary HST example
Suppose a hypothetical Halifax service business makes $9,000 of sales fully taxable at 14% under the regular method. HST charged is $1,260. If supported eligible input tax credits are $340, the preliminary net tax is $920 before other adjustments or payments. The customer receipts and tax liability remain separately identifiable.
Keep current and historical records consistent
Old 15% transactions should not be mechanically rewritten to 14%. Historical transition and credit-note treatment need the original dates and facts. We review settings and exceptions so current errors are corrected while valid earlier records remain intact.
Monthly and quarterly returns generally file and pay one month after period end; annual categories differ. The engagement identifies preparation, filing and payment responsibilities. We reconcile the working tax balance with return and payment records, flagging account differences instead of forcing the calculation to match an unexplained number.
Questions about this work
Can you check old 15% settings?
Yes. We identify where they affected transactions and review the appropriate correction, including any implications for filed periods.
Is every business purchase eligible for an input tax credit?
No. Eligibility depends on the activity, use and documentation. We retain the supporting information and identify uncertain items for review.
Put this into practice
Sources and current guidance
A practical next step
Bring the records you have.
We can identify missing information, agree on the scope and organize the next bookkeeping step.
Request a bookkeeping review