How to create an invoice in Canada
A practical checklist for Canada: required fields, GST/HST wording, CAD amounts, numbering and payment terms.
Businesses in Canada issue invoices that follow a recognisable format. This guide lists what a document should include, the tax terminology customers expect, and the conventions that help an invoice get approved and paid quickly.
What a Canada invoice usually includes
- Supplier name, address and GST/HST number
- Invoice number and date
- Description and quantity of each item
- Tax charged per rate
- Total amount due
Field by field
This generator preconfigures Canada conventions: the CAD currency, the GST/HST label, YYYY-MM-DD dates and Letter paper size. You enter your details and line items; it calculates subtotal, discounts, tax and the grand total, then renders a print-ready PDF entirely in your browser.
- Postal code: Postal code
- Tax rates: GST/HST — GST/HST number
- Currency: CAD ($)
- Invoice date: YYYY-MM-DD
- Paper size: Letter
Invoice numbering
Default numbering pattern: INV-2026-0042. Invoices must show the supplier's GST/HST registration number when tax is charged.
Tax terminology: GST/HST
Invoices are labelled with the terminology Canada businesses expect. Presets are provided as a starting point and are not tax advice.
- GST: 5%
- HST (Ontario): 13%
- HST (most Atlantic provinces): 15%
- GST + PST (British Columbia): 12%
Canada combines federal GST with provincial PST or HST, so the correct rate depends on the place of supply.
Payment practice
Common payment terms used in Canada: Due on receipt, Net 7, Net 15, Net 30. Always state a due date, and ask customers to quote the invoice number as the payment reference.
Invoicing notes for Canada
Federal and provincial tax
Depending on the province you deal with GST only, or a combined HST, or GST plus provincial PST/QST.
Bilingual invoices
Customers in Quebec may expect French wording; keeping both languages on the invoice is a common practice.
Numbered invoices
Sequential invoice numbers with the registration number visible are the standard for claiming input tax credits.
Frequently asked questions
Is this invoice generator free for businesses in Canada?
Yes — free, unlimited and without an account. CAD formatting, GST/HST labels and YYYY-MM-DD dates are preconfigured for Canada.
Does the PDF use the right paper size?
Yes, Letter is preselected for Canada, and you can switch between A4 and Letter at any time.
Are the tax presets accurate?
Presets are informational starting points. Tax obligations depend on your situation — verify current rates with a qualified professional before issuing a tax invoice.
Can I save and reuse an invoice?
Yes. Save a draft in this browser, duplicate it next month, or export and re-import the invoice as JSON.
Is my customer's data uploaded?
No. Everything is calculated and rendered in your browser; nothing is sent to a server to build the PDF.
Designed for common invoicing practices in Canada. Requirements may vary by business, transaction type and jurisdiction. Please verify local requirements with a qualified professional.