We are pleased to announce that the GST/HST exemption from counselling and psychotherapy services has gone into effect as of June 20, 2024, after having received royal assent.

Now for the big question on everyone’s mind: When do we stop charging HST?

While some of the national associations have suggested that their members can stop charging HST immediately, we would like to err on the side of caution and suggest that OSRP members wait for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to publish guidelines. Since we are a provincial association, what applies to us may be different than what the national associations have suggested or advised.

At this time, the CRPO is recommending that your individual accountant or a CRA representative would be in the best position to provide guidance that is specific to your situation.

Please keep in mind that the exemption applies only to psychotherapy services. If you are providing other services (eg. coaching, workshops, etc.) that you charge HST on, you should continue to charge HST on those services.

Once again, this is exciting news that has been a long time coming. 

We would like to thank all those who worked diligently over many years to make this happen, including those on the Tax-Free Therapy campaign, our partners at the Partnership of Registered Psychotherapy Associations (PRPA) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and our very own Advocacy Committee. 

Keep an eye on the CRA website in the coming days.