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🇨🇦Canada·GST/HST 5%·CAD

Canada Web Design Invoice Template

Canadian web designers supplying services to non-resident clients may qualify as zero-rated exports for GST/HST purposes.

Quick-fill by industry

Accent Color

Your Business

Bill To (Client)

Invoice Details

%

Line Items

Item 1
$8,500.00
Item 2
$4,200.00
Item 3
$5,800.00
Item 4
$1,800.00
Item 5
$350.00

🇨🇦 Canada Requirements

Currency$ CAD
TaxGST/HST (5%)
Date formatDD/MM/YYYY
PaymentInterac e-Transfer and EFT are the most common payment methods.

Businesses registered for GST/HST must display their Business Number (BN) on invoices. The federal GST rate is 5%; HST applies in participating provinces (Ontario 13%, Nova Scotia 15%, etc.). Quebec residents apply QST separately at 9.975%.

Payment Terms

33% upfront, 33% at design sign-off, 34% on launch

About Canada Web Design Invoicing

Canadian web designers supplying services to non-resident clients may qualify as zero-rated exports for GST/HST purposes. Domestic services are taxable at the applicable provincial rate. Always include your Business Number on invoices over $30. Web design invoices span creative, technical, and strategic services that require careful itemisation to justify value to clients. From wireframing and UI design through to development, CMS setup, and ongoing maintenance, each phase deserves its own line item. Web professionals should also clarify which assets are included in the handover and what ongoing hosting or maintenance costs may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should milestone-based web projects be invoiced?
Break the project into defined milestones (e.g., discovery, design approval, development complete, launch) and issue an invoice at each stage. This protects both parties — you get paid progressively, and the client pays for tangible deliverables.
What is the difference between a web design invoice and a hosting invoice?
Web design invoices cover one-time creative and development work. Hosting and maintenance are recurring costs that should be invoiced separately, typically monthly or annually. Mixing them creates confusion for clients and makes your accounts harder to manage.
Should I include software licenses in my invoice?
Yes. If you're purchasing or transferring software licenses (stock photos, plugins, fonts, SaaS tools) on behalf of your client, itemize them clearly and indicate whether they are pass-through costs or marked up. Clients need these records for their own accounting.
How do web designers handle ongoing retainers?
A monthly retainer agreement should specify hours included, rollover policy, and minimum notice for cancellation. Invoice at the start of each month for the retainer amount, then add overage hours as a separate line item if applicable.
How does GST/HST work on Canadian invoices?
Canada levies a 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). In participating provinces, GST is combined with a provincial component into the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) — for example, 13% in Ontario and 15% in Nova Scotia. In Quebec, GST and QST (9.975%) are charged separately. Businesses with annual revenue over $30,000 CAD must register, collect, and remit GST/HST.
Do I need a Business Number on my Canadian invoices?
If you are registered for GST/HST, you must display your 15-character Business Number (BN) on all invoices — this is your 9-digit BN followed by the program identifier (RT) and a 4-digit reference number (e.g., 123456789 RT0001). Invoices without a valid BN cannot be used by your clients to claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs).
Are there different invoicing rules by Canadian province?
Yes. Provinces that use HST (Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI) require a single combined tax line. Quebec requires separate lines for GST and QST, and QST-registered businesses must also show their QST number. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba charge GST plus their own Provincial Sales Tax (PST), which may have separate registration and invoicing requirements.

Related Guides

How to Invoice As a Freelancer
Read guide →
Recurring and Retainer Invoices
Read guide →
Invoice Payment Terms
Read guide →

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Same template, other countries:

🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇦🇺 Australia