September Tax Check-In: Tariffs, Instalments, GST/QST Coding and Year-End Planning
This week’s Canadian and Quebec tax news was more about planning and compliance than new tax-rate changes. The biggest business issue remains Canada’s new counter-tariffs on selected U.S. goods starting September 8, 2026. For individuals, the next CRA instalment deadline is September 15, 2026. For Quebec businesses, GST/QST coding remains important following Revenu Québec’s QST zero-rating clarification, and bookkeeping should be reviewed before year-end planning season begins.
1. Canada’s counter-tariffs start September 8
Canada will impose new counter-tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on selected U.S.-origin goods effective 12:01 a.m. on September 8, 2026. The measures cover approximately $27.6 billion of imports and focus on sectors such as steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, electronics, furniture and clothing.
Businesses importing from the U.S. should review affected products, landed costs, margins, pricing, supplier alternatives and cash-flow impact before the tariff start date.
2. Federal tariff support may help affected businesses
The federal government announced support measures for workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, including expanded business financing and liquidity support. This includes additional support through regional programs and tariff-related BDC financing initiatives.
Importers, exporters, manufacturers and suppliers facing tariff-related margin pressure should document the financial impact and review whether financing or government support may be available.
3. September 15 personal tax instalments are approaching
CRA reminds self-employed individuals that 2026 instalment due dates include September 15 and December 15, 2026. Instalments commonly affect self-employed individuals, landlords, investors and owner-managers who receive income without sufficient tax withheld.
Clients should not blindly pay or ignore an instalment reminder. If 2026 income changed materially, the required instalment may differ from CRA’s suggested amount.
4. Quebec GST/QST coding still needs attention
Revenu Québec’s latest fiscal-news update remains its August 7, 2026 clarification on QST zero-rating for certain food and paper hygiene products, effective since July 15, 2026. Some products may now be QST zero-rated while still being taxable for GST.
Retailers, grocery stores, bakeries, convenience stores, cafés and pharmacies should review POS and bookkeeping tax codes. A single combined GST/QST code may no longer be correct for all products.
5. GST/QST remittance planning: August period is due October 1
Revenu Québec’s payment calendar shows that, for monthly GST/QST filers, the August 1–31, 2026 reporting period has a payment deadline of October 1, 2026.
Businesses should reconcile August GST/QST now instead of waiting until the payment deadline. Sales tax collected from customers should not be treated as operating cash.
6. Federal draft tax legislation consultation closes today
Finance Canada’s consultation on draft legislation for various tax measures closes September 4, 2026. The package includes income-tax, GST/HST and technical measures, including proposed GST/HST reverse-charge rules for certain telecommunications supplies.
Most clients do not need to change filings yet because these are proposals, not necessarily enacted rules. However, corporations with specialized GST/HST issues, cross-border structures or related-party arrangements should monitor developments.
7. Payroll: no new broad rate change this week
No consequential new CRA or Revenu Québec payroll-rate change was identified this week.
Employers should continue using current 2026 payroll parameters and focus on payroll basics: updated software, accurate source deductions, timely remittances, and reconciled payroll liability accounts.
8. Bookkeeping technology: no new compliance requirement, but digital records matter
No new broad CRA, Revenu Québec, CPA Canada or CPA Québec bookkeeping-software requirement was identified this week. CRA’s broader 2026–27 plan continues to emphasize digital services for businesses, including tools to help manage corporate tax, GST/HST and payroll tax debts through My Business Account.
Businesses should maintain clean digital records, keep CRA and Revenu Québec account access current, and make sure bookkeeping systems support proper tax reporting—not just bank-feed importing.
Weekly practical takeaway
September is a good time for a year-to-date tax review.
Business owners should review:
- year-to-date profit
- GST/QST payable
- payroll remittances
- shareholder balances
- inventory and import costs
- personal instalments
- upcoming cash needs
Finding problems in September gives clients time to fix them. Finding them in April usually just gives them a balance to pay.
Till next week!