Starting a Business in BC | What to Register, in What Order (2026 Checklist)
Registering a business in BC feels like six separate government agencies who have never spoken to each other, because that is roughly what it is. The good news is the order is fixed and logical: structure first, then name, then the BC Registry, then your CRA business number, then whichever tax and payroll accounts your […]
BC PST on Professional Services | What Changes on October 1, 2026
If you send invoices for accounting, engineering, architecture, security or commercial property management in BC, October 1, 2026 is the day your invoices change. From that date, those services stop being PST free. You add 7% PST on top of the GST you already charge, you need a PST number before your first taxable invoice, […]
Do You Need to Register for BC PST? A 2026 Guide for Business Owners
If you sell anything in British Columbia and you are not sure whether you should be charging 7% PST, here is the fastest way to find out: PST is charged on things, not on profits. If what you sell is taxable and you sell it in the ordinary course of business in BC, you register, […]
Final Tax Return for a Deceased Person Canada
Losing someone is hard enough without a confusing tax process on top. If you’re the executor or a family member handling an estate, this guide walks you through the final (terminal) return and what the CRA requires in plain, compassionate language for 2026. Quick answer: When someone passes away in Canada, a final (terminal) tax […]
How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate in BC? (Full Breakdown)
Thinking of incorporating your business in BC? The government filing fee is only part of the story name approval, professional help, and ongoing annual costs all add up. Here’s the honest, full breakdown for 2026 so there are no surprises. Quick answer: Incorporating in BC costs roughly $350 for the provincial government filing fee, plus […]
When Do You Have to Register for GST/HST? (The $30,000 Rule)
Just started earning business or self-employment income and not sure if you need to charge tax? The magic number is $30,000 but the timing rules around it trip a lot of people up. Here’s exactly when you must register for GST/HST in Canada in 2026, and when you might want to register early. You must register […]
LCGE in Canada | Business Sale Tax Guide
Selling your incorporated business could be the biggest financial event of your life and the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption can let you pocket over a million dollars of the gain completely tax-free. But only if your shares qualify. Here’s how the LCGE works in 2026 and how to make sure you’re eligible. The Lifetime Capital […]
Small Business Deduction & Corporate Tax Rates in Canada Explained
If you run an incorporated business, the Small Business Deduction is probably the single most valuable tax break you get it’s why a corporation can pay barely 11% tax instead of 27%. Here’s exactly how it works in 2026, who qualifies, and what can quietly take it away. The Small Business Deduction (SBD) lets a […]
Holding Company in Canada | Tax Benefits & When to Use One
If you own a profitable corporation, you’ve probably heard you “should set up a holdco.” Sometimes that’s great advice and sometimes it’s needless cost and complexity. Here’s a clear 2026 guide to what a holding company does, the real tax benefits, and when it’s actually worth it. A holding company (Holdco) is a corporation that […]
Principal Residence Exemption | Avoiding Tax When You Sell
Selling your home and wondering if the CRA takes a cut? For most Canadians selling the place they actually live in, the answer is a happy no thanks to the Principal Residence Exemption. But there are rules, a mandatory reporting step, and situations that can cost you the exemption. Here’s how it works in 2026. […]