Taxation guide

Table of contents

Introduction
The basics
Income taxes
Municipal taxes
Tax information for employers
Keeping and correcting tax records
Other resources

Introduction

When you operate a business in Ontario, you are responsible for charging, collecting and remitting the appropriate taxes. Your business type, location and legal structure will determine which taxes will apply to you and what you will need to submit. This guide will give you an overview of the different taxes that may affect your business and provide you with information on tools, programs and services that can help you meet your business tax obligations.

The basics

It is important to know which taxes to charge, collect and remit on the goods and services you sell. Common tax requirements for businesses in Ontario include:

Business number/HST

Your business number (BN) is your single account number for dealing with the federal government regarding taxes, payroll, import/export and other activities. If you plan to hire employees, or if you will be importing and/or exporting products or services, you must register for a business number.

If you sell goods and services in Ontario, you may need a business number to charge, collect and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Most businesses that make less than $30,000 in any 12-month period are not required to register for HST; however, you can register voluntarily and claim input tax credits. Speak with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for more information.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
GST/HST 
Business number (BN) registration

Charging sales tax outside of Ontario

When you sell products or services to customers that are located in other provinces, territories or countries, you may be required to charge taxes based on their location. Regulations may also vary depending on the method of selling (e.g. online sales, mail orders, phone orders). To get the requirements for selling to non-Ontario customers, contact the appropriate tax office for the province, territory or country where your customers are located.

Read online:
Charge and collect the tax – Which rate to charge
E-business and selling to customers outside of Ontario

Doing business in the platform economy

If you use online platforms to make money you need to report and pay applicable taxes on the money you earn through these websites or mobile applications (apps). You may also need to register for, charge and remit HST.

Examples of for-profit activities on these platforms include:

  • Sharing or renting your home, apartment or property (sharing economy)
  • Arranging short-term work or tasks (gig economy)
  • Selling your products and services to other individuals (peer-to-peer)
  • Promoting a product, service or brand on your social media channels (influencer marketing)

Read online:
Taxes and the platform economy

Taxpayer rights

As a small business, there are taxpayer rights and commitments that apply to you. You can learn more by visiting the Canada Revenue Agency website

Read online:
Taxpayer Bill of Rights
 

To help you manage your business tax accounts, the following services are available from the federal and provincial governments:

My Business Account

You can register for a business account that gives you online access to your Canada Revenue Agency accounts, including GST/HST, payroll, corporation income taxes, excise taxes and excise duties.

Use online:
My Business Account

ONT-TAXS

You can get Ontario tax information and manage your tax accounts through the Ontario Ministry of Finance’s Ontario Tax Services (ONT-TAXS). You can set up a secure account online or access information through the ONT-TAXS toll-free number.

Contact the Ministry of Finance:
1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297)
ONT-TAXS Online

Income tax

When you operate a business in Ontario, you need to keep track of your business income and report the information to the Canada Revenue Agency. If you are self-employed, or if your business is a partnership, you are responsible for including your business income and expenses on your personal income tax return. If your business is incorporated, you are required to file a separate corporate tax return.

Reporting self-employed income

If you are self-employed and not incorporated, you must report your business income on your T1-General income tax return. Any money that you make through your business must be claimed on your tax return. Business expenses that you are claiming should also be included. Contact the Canada Revenue Agency for a complete list of the required forms or for more information on claiming business income and expenses.

Contact Canada Revenue Agency:
1-800-959-5525
Small businesses and self-employed

Reporting corporate income

Corporations have requirements for filing taxes that differ from the requirements for sole-proprietorships and partnerships. If you own or operate a corporation, you will be required to file a corporate income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  For more information on taxes for incorporated businesses in Ontario, contact CRA or refer to our corporate tax guide.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
Corporate taxation guide

Municipal taxes

Each municipality sets tax rates that may apply to your business, including rates for commercial property tax. Depending on your location and the types of products or services you are offering, different municipal taxes could apply to your business. To learn more about local tax requirements that will affect your business, contact your local municipal tax office.

Read online:
Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Tax information for employers

When your business employs people, you are responsible for payroll deductions and must register for a business number with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). To register for a business number or to get more information on payroll deduction like Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), contact CRA directly.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
Business Number (BN) registration

Employer Health Tax (EHT)

If your business is permanently located in Ontario, you are required to pay EHT on payroll paid to employees, unless your business is exempt. In general, the first $1 million of your annual payroll may be exempt from EHT. If you are a private sector employer (including a member of an associated group of employers) with total Ontario remuneration of over $5 million, you are not eligible for the exemption. There may also be specific rules that apply if your business is a registered charity.

You can get more information on the EHT requirements by contacting ServiceOntario.

Contact ServiceOntario:
1-800-267-8097
Employer Health Tax - Guide for employers

Payroll Deductions Online Calculator

The Canada Revenue Agency’s online payroll deduction calculator can help you determine how much to deduct from your employee’s pay. You are able to calculate the amount of federal and provincial payroll deductions that are required, including Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI).

Use online:
Payroll Deductions Online Calculator

Keeping and correcting tax records

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers information on how long to keep tax records, how to make appeals and how to correct errors on previous tax dealings. Refer to the links below for details on a specific topic.

Retention and destruction of books and records

You are responsible for keeping accurate tax records and making them available to CRA or the Ministry of Finance, if requested. Learn more about what to keep and how long to keep it.

Read online:

CRA
Keeping records

Ministry of Finance
Retention/destruction of books and records

Objections and appeals

You can dispute tax assessments or taxes imposed on your business under the Income Tax Act through CRA’s Appeals Branch.

Read online:
Resolving your dispute: Objection rights under the Income Tax Act

Voluntary Disclosures Program

If you need to correct incomplete or incorrect information on previous dealings with CRA, you can provide the corrected information without penalty or prosecution through this program.

Read online:
Voluntary Disclosures Program

Liaison Officer service from the Canada Revenue Service (CRA)

If you are an owner of a small business or a self-employed individual, you could request a personalized and confidential discussion with a CRA Liaison Officer or a group seminar to help you:

  • Address tax-related questions and concerns
  • Avoid common income tax errors
  • Understand various CRA tools and services
  • Strengthen your bookkeeping system, and employ best practices

Use online:
Liaison Officer service - free tax help for small business owners and self-employed individuals 

Other resources

Government acts and legislation

The tax-related acts and legislation covered in this guide include, but are not limited to, the following:


If you are interested in reading more about laws and regulations that could apply to your small business, or if you would like to stay up to date on new legislation, you can refer to the following resources:

Provincial laws, regulations, consultations and announcements

  • Service Ontario e-Laws:
    Search government of Ontario laws and regulations by keyword.
     
  • Ontario Gazette:
    Learn about a variety of Ontario announcements, including provincial laws and regulations
     
  • Regulatory Registry guide: 
    Get information about Ontario regulatory proposals and recently approved regulations.

Federal laws, regulations, consultations and announcements

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1-888-576-4444

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