Nobody withholds your tax. Here is what to plan for.
Working for yourself changes how tax works: you pay both halves of CPP, you may owe instalments, and you decide if and when to incorporate. These guides cover the essentials in order.
CPP figures apply outside Quebec, and rates and limits change every year. Check the current numbers with the CRA.
Your reading list
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1Start here 2 min read
Self-Employed Tax in 2 Minutes
Net business income, both halves of CPP, instalments and the GST/HST registration line.
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2Step 2 Calculator
Marginal Tax Rate Calculator
See the rate on your next dollar of profit in your province.
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3Step 3 2 min read
RRSP vs TFSA in 2 Minutes
You have no employer plan, so choosing where to save matters more.
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4Step 4 2 min read
Sole Proprietor vs Corporation in 2 Minutes
When incorporating helps, and when it only adds cost.
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5Step 5 2 min read
Cash Damming in 2 Minutes
Advanced: run business costs through a HELOC to shift debt to the deductible side.
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6Step 6 7 min read
How to Trace HELOC Interest for the CRA
The records the CRA expects if you deduct HELOC interest.
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7Step 7 2 min read
Dividend Tax in 2 Minutes
If you incorporate, how the dividends you pay yourself are taxed.
What these guides do not cover
- Detailed expense rules such as home office and vehicle costs
- Corporate tax rates and holding companies
- Filing GST/HST returns and Quebec's separate rules
This is education, not tax, legal or investment advice. Talk to a licensed Canadian chartered professional accountant or certified financial planner before you act.
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