Articles: Small Business Taxes

What is a tax write-off? A tax write-off is simply another way of saying “tax deduction.” With a tax write-off, you can deduct a large number of expenses approved by the Canada Revenue Agency, all of which help to significantly reduce your taxable business income. For example, if you make $100,000 a year and have $15,000 … Read more

What is income splitting? Income splitting is the strategy of redistributing income within a family—usually from a spouse in a higher tax bracket to a spouse in a lower tax bracket—to reduce a family’s overall tax bill. In general, income splitting works best when one spouse earns significantly more income than the other, so the … Read more

That envelope from the CRA just landed in your mailbox (or more likely, your digital inbox these days). Your notice of assessment has arrived — and whether you’re a small business owner or just filing personal taxes, this little document packs a punch. So what exactly is this notice of assessment, and why should you … Read more

Unfortunately, when it comes to instalment payments, the answer to this question is not so cut and dry. Installment payments are typically calculated using your previous years’ net taxing owing. If your net tax owing was more than $3,000 ($1,800 for Quebec) for 2024, and in either 2023 or 2022, then you may need to … Read more

Are you an employee or self-employed contractor? There’s a big difference, and understanding the differences between the two can have a significant impact on your income tax. If you’re working as a self-employed, independent contractor or thinking of becoming one, here are some things you should know. Who counts as an independent contractor in Canada? Independent … Read more

An important part of the Canadian tax system, a T4A slip, is also considered a statement of pension, retirement, annuity, or other income. This type of slip is issued to anyone who receives income that’s not considered employment-related, such as money earned from pensions, annuities, self-employment, and more.  What are the T4A requirements for contractors? … Read more

Unlocking Growth: The Advantages of Incorporation for Canadian Small Businesses  Small business owners want to minimize their tax burden and maximize their profits. While incorporating can help you pay less tax, is it right for you and your business?  This article will explore the benefits and implications of incorporation. As always, we recommend consulting a … Read more

What Happens If I Pay My Relative an “Unreasonable” Salary from My Corporation?  Many Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) involve family members in their business and pay them a wage for completing specific job duties. It is also common for CCPCs to have spouses and children as shareholders of the corporation.  However, the Canada Revenue Agency … Read more

What is a non-capital loss? One of the realities of being a small business owner or farmer is that there are times when you will experience financial losses. Losses occur for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns, poor investments, and unforeseen weather or climate events. When they do, it’s important to know how different … Read more

As Canadian interest rates continue to soar, the idea of taking out a loan from your corporation at no or low interest may be increasingly appealing. But, before you start using a shareholder loan account, it’s important that you understand the associated tax impact and implications. While shareholder loans may initially look attractive to many … Read more