Working for yourself
Income, receipts, GST/HST and the everyday decisions that come with working for yourself in Canada.
Working for yourself
34 articles · 2 / 6

Working for yourself 2 min
A US-dollar invoice needs more than a dollar sign
Keep the invoice currency, conversion date, rate source, payment and fees visible. A worked example explains why the net deposit can be misleading.
Read the guide
Working for yourself 3 min
I sold the chairs. Then I counted the invoices.
Camille's busiest month raises a better question than profit: when does a small Ottawa business have to register for HST? Two timelines, one useful sales check.
Read the story
Working for yourself 2 min
Your bank balance and your profit answer different questions
A $3,200 bank balance can sit beside $4,000 of profit without either number being wrong. Follow the invoices, payments and owner withdrawal.
Read the guide
Working for yourself 2 min
A US client is the start of the HST question
Identify the customer, the exact service and the applicable export provision before treating a foreign invoice as zero-rated.
Read the guide
Working for yourself 3 min
The next order may need two tax numbers
Track the small-supplier threshold, check exceptions and confirm both GST and QST registration before changing your invoices.
Read the story
Working for yourself 2 min
Before you clear out the tax folder
The six-year rule has a starting point and exceptions. A compact retention checklist for sole proprietors, including electronic records.
Read the guide