Business guides · Canada
Business guides for self-employed workers in Canada.
For independent contractors and the self-employed: the CRA and your T2125, GST/HST, business expenses and vehicle costs, and the licensing and insurance rules that change from province to province.
- self-employed
- independent contractor
- CRA
- GST/HST
- province
- T2125
- business expenses
Start here.
The guides most people working for themselves in Canada need first.
- Ontario Contractor License Requirements: What Actually Needs OneOntario
- Alberta Contractor Insurance Requirements: WCB, Warranty, SecurityAlberta
- Alberta Contractor License Requirements: The Three GatesAlberta
- Alberta Sales Tax for Contractors: No PST or HST, Only 5% GSTAlberta
- British Columbia (BC) Sales Tax for Contractors: 5% GST + 7% PSTBritish Columbia
- British Columbia Contractor Insurance Requirements ExplainedBritish Columbia
Rules by province.
Licensing, insurance and GST/HST on your work — where the province or state changes the answer.
Alberta
British Columbia
Ontario
Quebec
Guides by topic.
Written for Canada first. Guides marked any market apply wherever you work.
Start your business
Registration, licences, insurance and the first-week list — the rules that apply where you work.
- Ontario Contractor License Requirements: What Actually Needs OneOntario, Canada
- Self-Employed Meaning: How to Be Self-Employed in CanadaCanada
- How to Register as a Sole Proprietor in Canada, Province by ProvinceCanada
- How to Register for GST/HST in Canada (and the $30,000 Rule)Canada
Price & quote work
Building a number from your own costs, and putting it in front of the customer.
- How Much Should I Charge to Paint a Bedroom?any market
- How Much to Charge for Junk Removal: Per Load, Per Ton, Per Hourany market
- How Much to Charge for Pest Control: Initial vs. Recurringany market
Jobs & customers
When the job changes, the estimate was too low, or the customer needs a conversation.
- Appliance Repair Estimate Came In Too Low: What to Do Nextany market
- Concrete Estimate Came In Too Low: Yards, Base, and Finishany market
- Drywall Estimate Came In Too Low: Level, Area, Change Orderany market
Invoices & getting paid
What goes on the invoice, deposits, payment terms, and what to do when it is late.
- Proforma Invoice: What It Means and When to Use One in CanadaCanada
- Invoice Software in Canada: How to Choose an Invoicing AppCanada
- How to Make an Invoice in Canada: Freelancer Steps and GST/HSTCanada
- Appliance Repair Invoice Example: Every Line Explainedany market
- Auto Detailing Customer Won't Pay: Keys, Cards, Chargebacksany market
- Can a Drywall Contractor Charge a Deposit? How and How Muchany market
Receipts & expenses
What you can deduct, what to keep, and how to keep it so it survives an audit.
- Receipt vs Invoice: What's the Difference (and What CRA Expects)Canada
- Small Business Tax Deductions in Canada: Self-Employed ExpensesCanada
- How to Approve Scanned Receipts Without Guessworkany market
- Receipt Retention Guide for Solo Businessesany market
- Receipt Scanner for Freelancers That Stays Privateany market
Mileage
The rate, the log and what counts as business driving.
All mileage guides →Taxes & deductions
What you owe, when it is due, sales tax on your work, and the return itself.
- Canada Tax Brackets 2026: Federal, Provincial and Self-Employed RatesCanada
- CPP for Self-Employed Canadians: 2026 Rates, Maximums and Schedule 8Canada
- EI for Self-Employed Canadians: Special Benefits Explained (2026)Canada
- Estimate vs Quote in Canada: What's Binding and How to Write EachCanada
- GST Number in Canada: What It Is and How to Look One UpCanada
- How to Calculate GST/HST (and Reverse It) in Every ProvinceCanada
- How to Manage Irregular Income Without Guessingany market
Records & bookkeeping
How long to keep records, separating money, and handing the year to your accountant.
All records & bookkeeping guides →Tools & templates
Estimate and invoice templates by trade, with a free maker that runs in your browser.
- Free Quote Template for Canadian Contractors (Estimates With HST)Canada
- Canadian Invoice Template with GST/HST (Copy and Fill In)Canada
- Appliance Repair Invoice Template: Parts, Labor, Warrantyany market
- Auto Detailing Invoice Template: Size Class, Package, Conditionany market
- Concrete Estimate Template (Free) + Filled Example: Yards and Finishany market
Compare business apps
Where the alternatives fit, where they do not, and what you give up when you link a bank.
- Does Venmo Use Plaid? Yes: How It Links Your Bank and How to Skip Itany market
- Keel vs Expensify: Expense Reports or a Solo Ledger?any market
- Keel vs FreshBooks: Subscription Books or One-Time App?any market
Free tools.
The invoice and estimate maker works in any currency. The tax and mileage calculators use US figures.
From reading about it to doing it.
Keel keeps your invoices, receipts, expenses and trips on your iPhone. Freeboard’s tax reserve and the built-in mileage rate use US figures today; invoices, receipts, expenses and trip logging work as-is in Canada. Keel is free to use, with no invoice limit. Keel Lifetime, a one-time $249.99, adds your branding and signature, premium templates and accountant-ready exports. No subscription.