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
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
Working for yourself 3 min
Laurence checks both instalment accounts
Apply the $1,800 tests separately, choose a calculation method and send each income-tax instalment to the correct account.
Read the story
Working for yourself 2 min
One annual HST return can have two deadlines
Check the calendar-year sole-proprietor exception, the ordinary three-month rule and separate instalment obligations.
Read the guide
Working for yourself 2 min
Registering before the threshold is a business decision
Compare customer pricing and eligible purchase taxes with the ongoing filing duties before registering as a small supplier.
Read the guide
Working for yourself 2 min
No sales did not mean no return
Camille closes the workshop for a quiet month and checks the HST account before assuming there is nothing to file.
Read the story
Working for yourself 7 min
Self-Employed Taxes in Ottawa: 2026 Guide
A practical guide to HST, vehicle and home-office expenses, instalments, and CCA for Ottawa sole proprietors.
Read the guide