Should Goalie Coaches Charge Tax? (Canada & US Explained Simply)

One of the most common questions small goalie coaches ask when running clinics is:

"Do I need to charge tax?"

The answer is usually simpler than people expect.

But because taxes differ between provinces and states, many coaches either:

• Avoid the question entirely
• Charge tax incorrectly
• Accidentally absorb tax out of their own pocket

Let's break it down in plain language.

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The Canadian Basics

In Canada, sales tax rules are administered federally by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

For most independent goalie coaches, the key rule is the small supplier threshold.

If your total revenue from taxable services is under $30,000 in a 12-month period, you generally do not have to register for GST/HST.

That means:

• You do not charge tax
• You do not remit tax

Many independent coaches fall into this category.

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What Happens If You Pass $30,000?

Once your business earns more than $30,000 in a year, you typically must:

1. Register for a GST/HST number
2. Charge the appropriate tax on clinics
3. Remit collected tax to the government

The exact tax depends on the province.

Examples:

Province	Tax Structure
Nova Scotia	14% HST
New Brunswick	15% HST
Newfoundland & Labrador	15% HST
Prince Edward Island	15% HST
Ontario	13% HST
Alberta	5% GST
British Columbia	5% GST + PST (in some cases)
Quebec	5% GST + QST

For most local clinics, the tax rate typically corresponds to the province where the clinic is held.

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The Common Mistake

A surprisingly common mistake looks like this:

Coach charges $100 for a clinic.

Parent sends $100.

Coach later realizes tax should have been added.

Now the coach owes $15 HST out of their own pocket.

This happens when pricing is not structured properly.

Professional systems make tax explicit so this never happens accidentally.

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What About the United States?

The US system is more complicated because sales tax is managed by states, not federally.

However, most independent goalie coaches running local clinics fall into one of these situations:

1. No sales tax required for services
2. Sales tax only applies to physical products
3. Small local programs operate informally

In many states, coaching services themselves are not taxed.

But this varies by state.

If you run clinics in the US, it's worth checking your state's Department of Revenue website.

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The Practical Advice for Small Goalie Coaches

For most independent coaches, the rules look like this:

If you earn under $30,000 in Canada

• You likely do not need to charge tax

If you earn over $30,000

• You should register and charge tax properly

If you operate in the US

• Tax rules depend on your state, but many coaching services are not taxed.

The key is not to guess.

Make a deliberate decision.

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Why This Matters

Taxes affect more than compliance.

They affect pricing.

If you charge:

$100 + tax

Parents understand that the tax goes to the government.

But if you charge:

$100 total (and absorb tax)

You quietly reduce your own revenue.

Over a full season of clinics, that difference adds up quickly.

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The Bottom Line

Most independent goalie coaches start small.

And for many, tax rules are simple.

But as clinics grow and programs expand, the details begin to matter.

The goal isn't to become a tax expert.

It's simply to make sure your pricing and registration process handles taxes clearly and correctly.

Because when your systems are clean and predictable...

Running a goalie clinic becomes a lot simpler.

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Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules can vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. If you are unsure about your obligations, consult a qualified accountant or tax professional.