How to Register for GST/HST as a Gig Worker in Ontario

"Register for GST/HST" is the step in our Washer Hero onboarding that makes people nervous. It sounds like something for a company with an accountant and a filing cabinet, not someone washing laundry in their basement in Scarborough.

It's much smaller than it sounds. For one person it's free, it's mostly online, and the registration itself usually takes about 20 minutes. Below is the walkthrough I'd give a friend: what the account is, why platforms ask for it, exactly how to register, and what you'll need to do afterwards.

One thing first: this is general information, not tax advice. Everyone's situation is a bit different, so for anything specific, check with the CRA or an accountant.

What you're actually signing up for

When you do gig work as an independent contractor, the CRA treats you as running a small business, usually a sole proprietorship under your own name.

Registering gives you two things:

• A Business Number (BN). A nine-digit number that identifies your business to the CRA. You keep it for life, even if you stop and start again later.
• A GST/HST program account. Your BN plus "RT0001" on the end. This is the number platforms ask for.

In Ontario, the harmonized sales tax (HST) is 13%. It combines the federal GST and the provincial portion into one tax.

"Do I even need to register?"

The CRA has a small supplier rule. In general, if your taxable sales stay at or under $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, you aren't required to register yet. So when you look it up, the CRA's website may tell you that you don't need to.

For Duffloo, register anyway. The Washer Hero Agreement requires registration before activation, so every Hero has an account from their first order. Doing it up front also means there's no scramble later if your business grows past the threshold.

On Duffloo orders, the GST/HST is collected from the customer for you; reporting it and sending it to the CRA is your responsibility.

Before you start, have these ready

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Your legal name, home address and phone number
• Your business start date (the date you expect to begin is fine)
• A one-line description of the business, for example: "Independent laundry service: pickup, wash, dry, fold and delivery"
• A rough estimate of your sales for the year (a sensible guess is fine)

You don't need to incorporate, open a business bank account, or register a business name to do this. As a sole proprietor, you register under your own name.

How to register, step by step

1. Go to the CRA's registration page. Start at the GST/HST account registration page. You can register online through Business Registration Online, or by phone using the business enquiries line listed there.
2. Choose sole proprietor and enter your SIN and personal details.
3. Pick the accounts you need. Choose GST/HST only. Payroll and import/export accounts are for other kinds of businesses.
4. Describe the business. Enter your start date, the one-line description and your estimated annual sales.
5. Choose your reporting period. The CRA usually offers small registrants an annual reporting period, which means one return a year.
6. Submit. Online registration usually gives you your Business Number and GST/HST account number straight away. Screenshot or save the confirmation.

Entering it in Duffloo's onboarding

The GST/HST step in our onboarding asks for your registration number and business details. We check them against the CRA's registry, so they need to match exactly. If you registered under your own name, use your own name there too. A business name typed even slightly differently from the CRA's record won't match, and you'll be asked to fix it.

After you register: the three habits that matter

1. Keep your records in one place

Make a folder, paper or digital, and drop everything in it as it happens:

• Your weekly Duffloo pay statements
• Receipts for things you buy for the work: detergent, bags, labels, a scale
• Notes on the share of your vehicle use, home utilities and phone that relate to the work, if you plan to claim them

Ten minutes a month beats a lost weekend in April.

2. File your GST/HST return on time

At the end of each reporting period you file a GST/HST return, even if it's a quiet year. You can file online through My Business Account on the CRA website or with certified tax software. If you file annually and you're an individual with a calendar fiscal year, check the CRA's due dates for both the return and any payment, because they aren't always the same day.

The CRA also has optional simpler ways to calculate what you owe, such as the quick method. Whether one suits you depends on your numbers, so read the CRA's guidance or ask an accountant before you choose.

3. Remember income tax is separate

GST/HST is a sales tax. Your income from the business is reported separately on your personal tax return as self-employment income. Duffloo does not withhold income tax from your pay. Each January, we send you a statement of what you earned through Duffloo in the previous year, which you'll use when you file.

A simple habit that saves stress: set aside part of every weekly payout in a separate savings account for tax time.

Easy mistakes to avoid

• Registering for payroll by accident. You only need the GST/HST account.
• Losing the confirmation. Save the BN and RT0001 number the moment you get them.
• Assuming a quiet year means no return. If you're registered, you file, even if there's little to report.
• Mixing up GST/HST and income tax. They're two separate things with separate returns.
• Typing the business name differently in each place you use it.

Questions people ask

Does registering cost anything? No. Registering for a GST/HST account with the CRA is free.

How long does it take? For most people, about 20 minutes online, with the numbers issued at the end.

Do I need an accountant? Not to register. Many people with one small business file their own returns. An accountant is worth it if your situation is more complicated, for example several businesses or big expenses.

What if I stop doing gig work? You can close the GST/HST account with the CRA later.

Can I register before I've been approved as a Hero? Yes, but there's no rush. We guide you to this step during onboarding, after your address has been confirmed.

Next steps if you're becoming a Washer Hero

GST/HST is one of a few setup steps, alongside a criminal record check and 7 short training modules. Here's how the police check works in Ontario, and if you're still weighing it up, what the work is like day to day.

Not applied yet? Start your Washer Hero application. It takes about 10 minutes.