Starting Out
Setting up as a self-employed tradesperson in Canada: your Business Number, CRA accounts, registering, and surviving year one.
15 guides in this section
Setting Up Your Business
Sole Proprietor vs Incorporation
Should a Canadian tradesperson incorporate? Personal marginal rates vs the 9% small business deduction, the costs, the break-even around $80k to $100k, and a worked example.
Incorporation vs Sole Proprietor: The Complete Guide
Should a Canadian tradesperson incorporate? Liability, the 9% small business deduction on $500k, tax deferral, costs, the break-even, and federal vs provincial.
Essential Reading
Becoming Self-Employed: The First Steps
How to go self-employed in the Canadian trades: what self-employed means to the CRA, the day-one decisions and a realistic week-one registration checklist.
The CRA Business Number and Program Accounts
The CRA Business Number (BN) for Canadian trades: when you need one, how to register through BRO, the GST/HST, payroll and other program accounts, and the incorporation trap.
Registering for GST/HST
When to register for GST/HST in Canada: the $30,000 small-supplier threshold, the 29-day rule, voluntary registration for input tax credits, reporting periods and the rate map.
Your First Quote
How a Canadian tradesperson puts together a credible first quote: what to include, the 10% deposit norm, written contracts, change orders and the consumer-protection estimate rules.
Startup Costs by Trade
Realistic startup costs for Canadian trades: tools, vehicle, insurance, WCB and registration as ranges for plumbers, electricians, carpenters and general contractors.
Registering a Business Name
When a Canadian tradesperson must register a business name: trade name vs numbered company, the provincial registries, the NL exception and NUANS searches.
Business Banking and Separating Finances
Why a Canadian tradesperson needs a separate business bank account: commingling risks, the corporate-veil danger and banking the GST/HST trust money cleanly.
Your First-Year Checklist
The month-by-month startup checklist for a Canadian trade business: week-one registrations, the habits to build, the $30,000 threshold and the tax-year dates.
Writing a Simple Trade Business Plan
How a Canadian tradesperson writes a simple, useful business plan: who you serve, startup costs, your real break-even rate and a working-capital buffer.
Registering with WCB or WSIB
How a Canadian tradesperson registers with workers' compensation: WSIB, WorkSafeBC, CNESST and the rest, who must register and the clearance letter.
Running an Indigenous-Owned Trade Business
The business-owner side of Indigenous trades work: the Indigenous Business Directory, the minimum 5% federal target, the 33% subcontracting floor and Nunavut Article 24.
Women Running a Trade Business
The self-employed side for women in the Canadian trades: support networks, the parental-leave opt-in gap (Quebec differs), seasonal income, and your rights as your own boss.
Veterans Starting a Trade Business
For certified CAF veterans going self-employed: get the trade ticket first, use Veterans Affairs supports, set up GST/HST and WCB, and plan for seasonal income.