Why would the running balance in the GST payable account for the same period (last quarter) not correlate with the GST return amount?

Hello cabel,

There are some things that we need to consider why your GST payable account isn't the same with your GST return. Let me share them with you so we can get this fixed.

• Incorrect report period.
• Filing period of the GST/HST return.
• Journal entry created.

Here's how to check your report period:

1. Go to Accounting, then Chart of Accounts.
2. In the GST/HST Payable account, click Run report.
3. Make sure to click the correct Report period.
4. Click Run report.

To check the correct filing period, just open the form and click the Filing period drop-down.

Once done, go back and check the amounts again.

You might also want to check this handy article for your reference: Sales tax.

Please let me know in the reply section below if you have other questions.

Hello @cabel ,

This can happen when transactions with GST were added to the period after you already filed GST for that period.  Quickbooks knows enough to bring it forward and add it to your next return, which is acceptable to CRA, but when this happens, it's very difficult to find a $0.00 balance at some point in your GST account.  Personally, I like to keep this clean, so whenever I receive a late invoice from a supplier that is dated in the previous period, I always enter it on the first day of the new period and make a note somewhere in the entry what the original invoice date really is.

You should be able to run a GST Exception report to find the offending transaction(s).  Go to Taxes -->Sales Tax-->Next return to file-->View exception details under the Action column.

At this point you can leave as is so that your expense and GST are reported on the correct date (the date of the invoice) or you can change your invoice date to report it in the current period.

Keep in mind that ITC's are the only thing you can allow to cross into other periods.  If your sales figures change, or your GST collected amount changes, you need to actually file an amendment to the GST return for that period.