We solve serious CRA tax problems

Tax Tips For Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneurial journey is one of challenges, opportunities, and endless learning. Often lost in the myriad of tasks, research, and decisions, however, are vital tax issues, like how much entrepreneurs pay in taxes and how taxes affect entrepreneurs in Canada.

Fortunately, Canadian tax policies offer substantial support and incentives to entrepreneurs and business owners – if you know how to take advantage of them. As an entrepreneur, especially of a startup, every dollar you make and save is vital to your success. Start your business off on the right foot and consult one of the best tax accountants in southern Ontario. They can provide you with even more tax tips for your business.

Choosing the Right Business Structure for Your Entrepreneurial Venture

One pivotal decision every Canadian entrepreneur faces is determining the business structure that will best serve their needs. The choice can significantly influence how much entrepreneurs pay in taxes, their personal liability, and their ability to raise capital. Here’s a quick look at the most common business structures and some of the associated pros and cons:

Sole Proprietorship

  • Advantages:
    • It’s the easiest and least expensive business structure to establish.
    • Direct Control. The owner has complete authority over all decisions.
    • Tax Benefits. Business losses can be deducted from personal income, which can be beneficial in the startup phase.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Personal Liability. The owner is personally responsible for all debts and obligations.
    • Potential Tax Burden. As the business grows, the owner might find themselves in a higher personal tax bracket.

Partnership

  • Advantages:
    • Shared Responsibility. Partners can share the responsibilities and pool their skills and resources.
    • Simple Returns. Like a sole proprietorship, partners either add income or deduct losses from the business on their personal tax returns.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Joint Liability. Like sole proprietorships, partners are personally liable for the business’s debts.
    • Potential for conflicts if partners don’t see eye-to-eye or if there’s no clear partnership agreement.

Corporation

  • Advantages:
    • Limited Liability. Shareholders (owners) are not personally liable for corporate debts or liabilities.
    • Tax Advantages. Corporations generally have lower tax rates.
    • It’s often easier for corporations to raise capital through the sale of shares.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Incorporating requires legal documentation and is more expensive than setting up a sole proprietorship or partnership.
    • Double Taxation. Income earned by a corporation and then distributed to shareholders as dividends is taxed twice.
    • Regulatory Scrutiny. Corporations face more regulations and are under greater governmental oversight.

This is just a brief overview. There are many other advantages, disadvantages, and considerations that must be taken into account. Before you set up your business, it’s always a good idea to speak with a CPA who is an expert in taxation for self-employed contractors and business owners. They can advise on the best structure for your business based on your industry, operations, and goals and help you with strategic tax planning.

A self-employed entrepreneur works at a desk in his home office.

Understanding the Basics: How Much Do Entrepreneurs Pay in Taxes?

One thing common to all taxpayers is that they must know their basic tax rate in Canada. For individuals, the tax rate is a sliding scale base on income. For business owners, the rate also varies depending on your business structure — i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

  • Sole Proprietorship & Partnership: As a sole proprietor or a partner, your business income gets taxed at your personal tax rate. The more you earn, the higher your tax rate can go.
  • Corporation: Corporations are taxed at a corporate rate. While it’s generally lower than personal tax rates, there are added complexities to filing a corporate return and paying corporate taxes.

Leveraging Business Expenses as an Entrepreneur to Reduce Your Taxes

One of the most significant effects of entrepreneurship on taxation is the ability to deduct reasonable business expenses. This means that, as an entrepreneur, not all your income is subject to tax as it is for individuals, and you can subtract valid business expenses from your revenues. Common deductions include:

  • Rent or home office expenses
  • Equipment and machinery
  • Service fees for professionals like lawyers and accountants
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Travel related to business
  • Employee salaries and benefits

An essential tip here is to know precisely which expenses you can deduct and how to properly deduct them. For example, if you are deducting energy costs for a home business, you can only deduct an amount proportional to the size of your office relative to your home.

Another crucial tip regarding business expenses is to always maintain a meticulous record of all your expenses. It not only helps you accurately keep your books, but precise records are essential to support your tax returns in case of an audit or query by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Utilize Tax Credits To Reduce Your Taxes as an Entrepreneur

There are numerous federal and provincial tax credits that can be used to reduce your taxable income or, in the case of refundable tax credits, generate a refund if your eligible tax credits total more than your taxes owing. These are a few examples of the types of credits available to businesses:

  • Input Tax Credits. If your business is required to register for, charge, and remit GST/HST, then you can begin claiming the GST/HST you pay on eligible business expenses.
  • Investment Tax Credits (ITCs). To promote growth in targeted regions and industries in Canada, federal, provincial and territorial governments provide tax credits for identified purchases, investments, and expenses based on industry and/or location. *Pro tip for entrepreneurs: Use your knowledge of ITCs applicable to your business to entice potential investors if you need investment.
  • Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED). The Canadian government encourages scientific and technical innovation by allowing businesses engaged in eligible R&D to both claim a deduction against their income, and earn an investment tax credit.
  • Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit. If you hire an eligible apprentice, this non-refundable ITC can cover a percentage of their salary.

Stay up-to-date on tax credits and incentives related to your business as new ones are introduced, and old ones change regularly.

Set Money Aside for Tax Season

One of the primary ways taxes affect entrepreneurs is the potential financial strain during tax season. Unlike salaried employees, entrepreneurs don’t have taxes automatically deducted from their pay. This makes it crucial to set money aside throughout the year to avoid a last-minute fiscal crunch. Keep a separate business account for this purpose, make it almost inaccessible, and forget it exists.

Be Mindful of Deadlines

Missing tax deadlines can lead to unnecessary penalties. It’s essential to mark these dates on your calendar:

  • April 30: Personal tax returns are due.
  • June 15: If you have self-employed income, this is your deadline. But remember, any tax owed is still due by April 30.
  • Varies for Corporations: Corporations have six months from the end of their fiscal year to file taxes.

Consult a Tax Professional

While it’s tempting to navigate Canadian business taxation on your own, especially for entrepreneurs who wear many hats, consulting a tax professional is an investment that pays for itself with professional tax planning that saves you money. Also, they know precisely how much an entrepreneur must pay in taxes and how to file them properly, which keeps you out of hot water with the CRA.

A qualified CPA can also save you money on penalties and interest in the unfortunate scenario that you need tax audit representation. As importantly, a CPA can keep you from getting into further trouble with the CRA during the audit by speaking on your behalf.

Stay Updated

Tax rules and regulations evolve. Staying updated ensures compliance and can unveil new opportunities for savings. Make it a habit to review any changes to the taxation landscape annually. Not being current on CRA tax rules is one of the most common tax mistakes entrepreneurs must avoid.

The Bottom Line on Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs in Canada

Understanding taxes is a cornerstone for entrepreneurial success in Canada. By proactively managing and planning, you can mitigate financial challenges and focus on growing your venture. Remember, when in doubt, seek expert advice.

About the Author

pro-tip

Pro Tip

ACCESSING THE SMALL BUSINESS DEDUCTION IN YOUR BUSINESS

The Small Business Deduction gives businesses a tax deduction on the first $500,000 of income. This saves an eligible corporation around up to $50,000 in income taxes. There are a number of conditions that have to be met to be eligible for this deduction.

Abe Matar
Abe Matar
1728938693
Thanks you Sam for all your help. You made the work process very easy to us.
He’s very professional and gave me a lot of advice about taxes and my tuition at university. I highly recommend him!
Sam helped me to file my 10 years personal tax returns. He made the process super easy and stress free. CRA accepted the package with no single question asked. He is highly knowledgeable, down to earth and easy to deal with.
M G
M G
1726589253
I interviewed 5 CPA firms before hiring Mr. Faris. During the initial assessment he was able to identify a huge mistake that CRA has done. He was able to perfectly communicate this mistake with me and explained how this mistake should be corrected. Mr. Faris assured me that the CRA will have to correct this mistake which will result in saving huge amount of taxes and penalties and interest. Mr. Faris worked around the clock including weekends to meet the pressing deadline. In summary, he met all his promises and of course did not disappoint me. All these sleepless nights worrying about the CRA are gone now and of course thanks to Mr. Faris who has changed my mind about the accounting and the tax profession forever.
Ana Miletic
Ana Miletic
1726541724
The best CPA and tax firm in the country. Worked with so many CPA firms but Faris CPA is the best by far. Highly professional, knowledgeable, pays attention to details. His fee is very reasonable comparing to other CPAs. I highly recommend the firm.
Dusan Caricic
Dusan Caricic
1726227765
Sam was able to sort out my US and Canadian tax returns as a result of errors made by my previous CPA. He was able to identify every little mistake on the returns and saved me taxes and penalties. I highly recommend Sam and his firm for all tax and accounting needs.
Tamara Dordevic
Tamara Dordevic
1726168345
We approached Sam 10 years ago when CRA was auditing us and our business. Sam was able to handle the audit properly and resolved it to our satisfaction. Since then, Sam has been our family and business accountant. His service is reliable, professional and efficient. Also his fee is reasonable. I already referred to Sam family members and friends who are super happy with his services.
Gerda Saryte
Gerda Saryte
1725833115
MR. Faris has given me a great advice and helped me through complicated tax issues with the CRA.
Sam Faris challenged CRA proposal regarding selling two of my properties. Sam was able to convince CRA that the sale of those properties was not business in nature and not subject to HST. His response was based on detailed analysis and supported with court cases. Many thanks to Sam for saving me money and the hassle with the CRA.
Sterling B
Sterling B
1725482811
Sam is honest and highly responsive. He's a very hard worker and gets things done quickly. I can't recommend him enough.
Peter J
Peter J
1725379584
I recently hired Faris CPA for a tax dispute with the CRA. Sam and his team were very professional and knowledgable in dealing with my concerns and tackled my issue head on. Their communication was particularly noteworthy as they answered all of my questions throughout the process in short time. Definitely recommended.
Brkovic Zorka
Brkovic Zorka
1725358810
Sam Faris is a reliable and highly knowledgeable with what he does. Sam delivered a strong and convincing package to the CRA regarding my case. He worked tirelessly to meet a very tight deadline. He was able to object the CRA decision and knocked down the taxes significantly. I highly respect him on both personal and business levels. He is a man of his word. I will definitely recommend him to family and friends. Many thanks Sam.
Sam deserves all the 5 stars reviews that he already received. He has done an amazing job with regards to my case with the CRA.
Marko Krawcow
Marko Krawcow
1725062049
By far one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had with a tax specialist. I can truly say this is the most professional and hardworking person I have ever met. He spared no time getting to work, not only was he extremely efficient but a great communicator. If you’re looking for someone to help you figure out your finances, message Sam. I have no regrets, only wish I had done this sooner.
helene ghaleb
helene ghaleb
1725053083
Working with Sam and his team for the last 7 years has been a pleasure. Their attention to details has been essential in assisting me to navigate complex tax and accounting matters. Sam and his team are always prompt in reply to my questions and fully dedicated to my file. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of top-notch accounting and tax support.
stjoseph cafe
stjoseph cafe
1724640445
Lucky that I retained Faris CPA to deal with the CRA. I have no complaints whatsoever. My file was dealt with on a timely and efficiently basis. With the least cost.
CIFS Ottawa
CIFS Ottawa
1724638931
The firm performed tax planning to my organization. I am very happy with the results and the performance.
Will Noja
Will Noja
1724517164
I had a consultation with Mr. Fares last week and explained my issue with the CRA. Sam provided a great advice. Further he recommended not to hire a professional and pay money while he thought that I can handle the issues on my own. Obviously he looked at my best interest rather than to pay him more unnecessary fee. He is reliable and trustworthy and I would recommend him to anyone in need for this kind of services.
Sahar Ghantous
Sahar Ghantous
1724511412
Sam helped me to resolve a serious audit with the CRA. Throughout the process, Sam demonstrated skills, knowledge and expertise in accounting and the tax rules. He was able to challenge the auditor and prove why her assumptions were inaccurate.I feel safe and confident to have Sam and his team as my representative in any future tax and accounting related matters.
Jack
Jack
1724373648
Thanks for your help, amazing service 👍
Working with Sam at Faris CPA was an excellent experience. His deep knowledge and professionalism made navigating a challenging audit with the CRA much easier. Sam was highly responsive, addressing all my concerns and guiding me through every step of the process. I'm very pleased with the service provided and would highly recommend Sam and the Faris CPA team to anyone in need of dependable accounting and tax support.
D C
D C
1724088666
I recently worked with Faris CPA regarding my many years of outstanding personal and corporate tax returns. Sam has submitted all returns under the voluntary disclosure program, he was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain everything in detail. Thanks to his expertise, I felt confident in my decisions. I highly recommend Faris CPA, especially if you have the chance to work with Sam!
Sultan Solmaz
Sultan Solmaz
1723822360
Excellent service. Super happy with the way my case with CRA was handled by Sam CPA and his team. CRA was auditing me personally and my business for many years. I involved Sam and he was able to stop escalation and avoid excessive taxes owing to CRA. I will absolutely recommend Sam for family and friends
Nadine Omary
Nadine Omary
1723162990
Thank you Sam for all your help resolving my tax issue with the CRA. You delivered exactly what you promised during our initial phone call. You have delivered a quality work that the previous CPA could not deliver. Your fee comparing to other professionals are reasonable too. I will take absolutely recommend you to family and friends.
Sara Solène
Sara Solène
1723063028
I had an amazing experience working with Faris CPA for my CRA needs. They really know the CRA processes and made everything so easy. They were super professional, always ready to answer my questions, and made sure everything was done right. I couldn't have asked for better help. Highly recommend their services for anyone dealing with the CRA!
I recently had the pleasure of working with Mr. Fares from Fares CPA Firm, and I must say that the experience was exceptional. Mr. Fares demonstrated a high level of professionalism and expertise that is truly commendable.From the very beginning, Mr. Fares was incredibly attentive and responsive. He took the time to understand my specific needs and provided tailored advice that was both practical and insightful. His thorough understanding of the complexities of tax laws and financial regulations instilled confidence and trust.His proactive approach and attention to detail ensured that all aspects of my financial situation were meticulously handled. He was always available to answer questions and provided regular updates on the progress of my financial matters.I highly recommend Mr. Fares and his firm to anyone in need of top-notch accounting and financial services. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence make them a standout choice in the industry.
Nadine R
Nadine R
1722297188
Sam has gone above and beyond in helping me complete my tax filings.The praise he receives in all of these reviews is well-earned. Thanks again, Sam. I really appreciate the job you did.
Glass Gates
Glass Gates
1721855400
Very good experience dealing with Sam Faris and his team. They helped me with a difficult time in my life by dealing with CRA audit. Throughout the process, they went above and beyond to provide detailed responses and analysis to the auditors. As a result, Sam and his team achieved the best results that I would have dreamt to have. Unlike what CRA proposed, Sam and his team were able to reduce taxes from 450k to 15k. Sam’s fee is very reasonable too considering the value that I received back. I highly recommend Sam Faris and his team.
Conrad
Conrad
1719343900
Sam was absolutely amazing, I was in desperate need of urgent tax help with little time left and he managed to get everything done flawlessly in the last 2 weeks! He is incredibly thorough and honest in his work. Truly appreciate him! Thanks Sam!
Ellie B
Ellie B
1719013463
I met with Sam seeking advice on how to approach a realestate transaction properly in order to prevent any future issues with CRA. Sam was very knowledgeable and helpful in guiding me in the right direction. He patiently answered all my questions and provided his expert advice. I am very happy to have come to him.He is very honest, and not just after making a profit from his clients, but to genuinely help them. Thank you Sam.
Khaled Darwish
Khaled Darwish
1719001561
I was referred to Sam Faris by a business partner who had an excellent experience before. I found that Sam and his team are experts with CRA issues and resolved my issue on timely basis. More importantly his fee is very reasonable. Many thanks and I will definitely recommend the firm to others.
Vrej Nersesian
Vrej Nersesian
1718992542
Mr Faris helped me to resolve a very complicated audit with CRA. He came up with a brilliant strategy to win my case against CRA. Thank you Sam for all your hard work and I will recommend everyone who has issues with the CRA to hire your firm.
Shiraz Tufenkji
Shiraz Tufenkji
1718979011
Sam Faris is very pleasant to deal with. I was referred to him by a well known tax lawyer in the city. After dealing with Sam and knowing his expertise with CRA disputes, I decided to fire the tax lawyer as Sam did it all and achieved the best results. I ended up wasting 15k in legal fees when I could have saved it if I met Sam before.
Sam was great. He really helped me with my situation. Highly recommend him. When its time sensitive, he's the go to guy.
Dallas Young
Dallas Young
1718761499
Sam Farris is an exceptional CPA who provided outstanding service when I needed tax preparation assistance.What sets Sam apart is his ability to clearly explain complex tax laws and financial strategies in easy-to-understand terms. He took the time to educate me on the implications of different options so I could make fully informed decisions. His proactive approach identified opportunities for tax savings that I hadn't even considered.Sam is extremely responsive, accessible and genuinely cares about his clients' best interests. He made me feel like a priority and was always available to answer any questions I had, no matter how minor. The peace of mind this provides is priceless.
Sean E
Sean E
1718660820
Sam is a pleasure to work with. He is efficient and diligent. He is very skilled when it comes to CRA and taxes. Highly recommended.
Nicole Calnan
Nicole Calnan
1718647629
Sam Faris is fast and reliable and on top of tax topics. I am looking forward to his knowledgeable and competent support.
Alex G
Alex G
1718611207
Excellent work from Sam with a difficult tax issue I had. Would definitely recommend his services!
Shahbaz Mirza
Shahbaz Mirza
1718409854
Thank you Sam for all your help. I dont know what i would do without your help and support regarding my tax matter.
Sam Faris helped me deal with a tricky situation with the CRA involving taxes paid in the USA. He seems pretty knowledgable of both Canada and USA tax laws and regulations. During the initial phone call, he proposed a plan to address the situation, and didn't over-promise. In the end, the resolution was much better than what was initially proposed. Communication was timely and reliable. I'd gladly use his services again in the future if the need arises.
Mesut Atalay
Mesut Atalay
1717960926
Second to none firm once it comes to accounting and tax issues with the CRA. I have tried to work with three professionals including a tax lawyer before approaching Sam Faris. Unlike Sam, they never met their promises. Sam met every single promise he made. His performance exceeded expectations. Don’t waste your money and time and hire Sam. He is super efficient, and highly knowledgeable with tax problems and will protect you from CRA with the least cost possible.
can can
can can
1717959796
Faris CPA is a firm with high business standards. The firm looked after my best interest and achieved the best results by minimizing taxes owing and provided a business structure to optimize taxes as much as possible. I am grateful for all the help the firm provided.
Baran SOLMAZ
Baran SOLMAZ
1717778800
i can confidently say that Sam Faris is the best out there who can handle problems with the CRA. he helped me to resolve a complicated and massive audits with my companies and got me the best results. he did a perfect reorganization after and now feel i am well protected having him on board.
I approached Sam Faris as I had a complicated case with the CRA regarding my residency status. Sam has performed a detailed and in depth analysis and submitted his findings to the CRA. In conclusion, Sam was able to convince the CRA that I am not a resident and I did not have to file tax returns in Canada. Super happy with Sam service and of course with the outcome.
Essam Alftayh
Essam Alftayh
1717274326
Sam Faris filed my many years of outstanding tax returns under the voluntary disclosure program. As a result, significant penalties were waived and more importantly the my many years of sleepless nights and living in fear are over now. Thank you Sam and I highly recommend him to family and friends.
D Schrager
D Schrager
1717025313
Sam of Faris CPA is an expert with CRA issues. I have waisted significant amount of money by hiring other professionals who never delivered. Sam’s promises are solid and he never disappointed me. Sam’s work quality exceeds expectations. Many thanks Sam and I will absolutely recommend your service to family and friends.
Before hiring Faris CPA, I shopped around and I hired a CPA firm who offered significantly cheaper fee than Faris CPA. I must admit that this was a mistake. That firm promised the moon and they did not deliver. I learned by accident that the firm outsourced my file to a firm in India. I was very upset as I did not consent to have my returns done in India. I lost trust in the firm as the firm mislead me by making me believe that my file is being handled properly and efficiently by CPAs who are knowledgeable in Canadian taxes. I had to fire them immediately and hired Faris CPA. Sam Faris and his team dealt with my case efficiently and on timely basis. As a result, my many years of outstanding personal and corporate tax returns have been filed as promised. The taxes that I ended up owing are way less than what I expected. Sam Faris and his team performed a good tax planning strategy which saved me taxes. Faris CPA fee is very reasonable considering the quality of work that has been delivered and the tax saving that was achieved.Don’t hire a firm who provides cheaper fee as you will end up paying twice. In my situation, I ended up paying to a firm who outsourced my file to India and I came back and hired Faris to complete the job properly. Save your money, time and emotions and hire Faris CPA and they will get the job done to your satisfaction.
Kate Miller
Kate Miller
1716575760
Thanks Sam for your help with our CRA issues. You were very easy to contact and deal with and did what was needed very quickly. Thanks so much.
It was my pleasure to work with Sam Faris closely to resolve my tax issue with the CRA. Sam was efficient and resolved it to my satisfaction. Unlike other professionals that I dealt with regarding the same tax matter, whatever he promised, he delivered with the least time and with a reasonable fee. Thanks Sam for all your help.
Lisa Lisa
Lisa Lisa
1716551738
I highly recommend Sam--he is a true expert--knowledgeable and professional. He is highly skilled, quick to respond, and an expert at any CRA matter. I honestly don't know where I would be without having hired him. Five stars for sure.
Rob Miller
Rob Miller
1716489740
Sam responded very quickly to my request for his assistance with my CRA submission. We spoke by zoom. He then processed the paperwork and has submitted it straight away. I would thoroughly recommend Sam to people anywhere in Canada who needs timely and efficient help with their tax issue.
Rasha Makhoul
Rasha Makhoul
1716055095
Faris CPA helped me to navigate a very difficult tax matter. I would recommend the firm to anyone who needs tax experts with high business standards.
Sam is a kind man and gave me honest advice! Was very easy to get a consultation as well!
Luba A
Luba A
1715083762
Very impressive. I wish I met Sam many years back. He would have saved us money and saved our time from dealing with professionals who promised the moon but never delivered. Thanks Sam for all your help. You deserve every dollar you charged us.
More reviewsjs_loader