Project Work Is Unpredictable.
Your Books Shouldn't Be.
Whether you work in construction, trades, IT, or any other field, contracting comes with income that fluctuates by project. We keep your books clean, your GST/HST filed, and your records CRA-ready — no matter how many clients you juggle.
What Contractors Deal With
Are You Really Self-Employed? The CRA Will Decide.
The CRA uses a 4-factor test to determine whether you're truly independent: (1) control — who decides how work gets done? (2) tools and equipment — who owns them? (3) profit/loss opportunity — do you bear real financial risk? (4) integration — are you part of the client's business? If reclassified as an employee, you owe both the employee AND employer portions of CPP and EI — retroactively. You can request a ruling via Form CPT1 to get certainty before the CRA comes to you.
GST/HST on Every Invoice
Contractors must charge GST/HST on most services. Missing a registration deadline or failing to remit properly triggers penalties and interest you shouldn't have to pay.
Maximizing Project Deductions
Contractors miss eligible deductions more than almost any other group. Home office (if you work from home regularly), vehicle expenses (business-use percentage with a mileage log), tools and equipment (CCA Class 10), professional liability insurance, software subscriptions, professional development — each missed deduction is money that belongs to you, not the CRA. We capture all of it, month by month.
Services for Contractors
Monthly Bookkeeping
Income and expenses tracked by project. Accounts reconciled monthly so you always know exactly where you stand — and every deduction is captured.
GST/HST Filings
Registration, return preparation, and electronic filing. We track what you collect and what you owe — you just approve before we file.
Annual Tax Returns
T1 with full self-employment schedule. Every eligible deduction claimed — tools, vehicle, home office, insurance, professional development.
Payroll & T4As
If you hire employees or subcontractors, we process payroll and issue T4s and T4As correctly — the CRA watches contractor-subcontractor relationships closely.
Year-End Support
Year-end close and working papers ready for your accountant. If you're incorporated, we coordinate directly with your CPA for the T2.
CRA Support
Got a CRA letter or audit notice? We respond professionally on your behalf and provide the documentation needed to resolve it.
Contractor Questions — Answered
The CRA uses several factors: control over how work is done, ownership of tools, financial risk, and exclusivity of the relationship. If you set your own hours, use your own equipment, and work for multiple clients, you are generally self-employed. Getting this wrong can result in unexpected CPP and EI assessments. We help you document your contracts correctly from the start.
Yes, once your annual revenue exceeds $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive quarters, registration is mandatory. We handle the registration, prepare your returns, and remit on time so you never face penalties.
Common deductions include tools and equipment, vehicle use (mileage log required), home office expenses, liability insurance, professional development, and subcontractor costs. We track all of these throughout the year so everything is properly documented at tax time — no scrambling for receipts.
The CRA requires all receipts, invoices, contracts, and bank statements to be kept for at least six years. We organize your records on an ongoing monthly basis so you are always audit-ready — no end-of-year panic.
Yes — if a single client pays you more than $500 in a calendar year for services (and you are not incorporated), they are required by law to issue you a T4A slip (Box 48) by the last day of February the following year. You then report that amount on your T2125 self-employment schedule. Keep all your invoices throughout the year so you can reconcile them against the T4As you receive. Discrepancies between what you reported and what your clients reported to the CRA are a common audit trigger for contractors.
Useful Articles for Contractors
T4A Slips for Contractors: When and How to File
Pay a contractor more than $500? You may need to issue a T4A. Here's who qualifies and how to file by the deadline.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor: How the CRA Decides
The four-factor test the CRA uses, why misclassification costs more than you think, and how to protect yourself.
Keep Your Focus on the Work.
We'll Keep the Books Straight.
Tell us about your contracting business and we'll send you a custom, no-obligation quote within 1 business day.