Amalgamating or merging and the GST/HST account

A merger is when one corporation absorbs one or more corporation(s) and continues to carry on business as usual.  We close the GST/HST accounts of the other corporation(s). You must file the returns up to the day before the date of merger, or in some cases, to the date of deregistration (if the date is different than the merger date).

An amalgamation occurs when two or more corporations carrying on business combine their businesses to form a new legal entity. It is incorporating authority (Industry Canada, the provinces, and territories) that approve all corporate amalgamations. 

A newly amalgamated corporation is often referred to as the successor and the old corporations are referred to as the predecessors. Amalgamation will affect the GST/HST accounts of the predecessor corporations. One corporation is usually considered to be the dominant predecessor.

The newly amalgamated corporation can keep the Business Number, and therefore the GST/HST account number, of the dominant predecessor. This means the GST/HST account keeps the same fiscal year-end and reporting period as before the amalgamation.

We close the GST/HST accounts of the other predecessors. You must file the returns up to the day before the date of amalgamation, or in some cases, to the date of deregistration (if the date is different than the amalgamation date).