Tax help for people who run a business
Whether you invoice clients under your own name or own a corporation, start here for deductions, deadlines and how to pay yourself.
Top questions from the self-employed
All self-employment guides- What can I deduct?Home office, vehicle, phone, supplies, and what CRA usually questions.
- Do I need a GST/HST number?The small supplier test, and why some register early.
- CPP when you’re your own bossYou pay both the employee and employer share.
- Paying tax by instalmentsWhen CRA expects quarterly payments, and how much.
- Deadlines for sole proprietorsFile by June 15, but pay any balance by April 30.
- Should I incorporate yet?The questions that tell you if it’s worth it.
Top questions from corporation owners
All corporate guides- Pay myself: salary or dividendsTax, RRSP room and CPP trade-offs.
- The small business deductionWho gets the lower rate and how it’s shared.
- Corporate filing & payment datesT2 return, balance due and instalments.
- Holding investments in a corporationHow passive income is taxed.
- Shareholder loansBorrowing from your company without a tax surprise.
- Selling or winding upLifetime capital gains exemption and other exits.
Corporations
Find your T2 dates
Pick your fiscal year-end and we’ll work out when the return and the balance are due.
- Year ends
- December 31, 2025
- Pay balance owing by
- March 31, 2026
- File T2 return by
- June 30, 2026
Eligible CCPCs get three months to pay. A due date on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day. Who qualifies for 3 months?
Owner-managers
Salary or dividends?
There’s no single right answer. Here’s what each choice gives you.
Salary
- Deductible to the corporation
- Creates RRSP contribution room
- Builds your CPP pension
- Needs payroll and T4 slips
Dividends
- Paid from after-tax profits
- No CPP contributions
- No new RRSP room
- Simpler: a T5 slip, no payroll