Small Business Tax Strategies: SME Accounting Basics You Need To Know

Stay updated with current accounting standards, business compliance, tax preparation tips, and latest news.

    28 Sep 2023
    Taking care of business tax requirements is difficult for small business owners in Canada. Even after gathering all of their paperwork and filing a return, many people wonder if they did the best they could with their tax situation. Successful small business tax strategies are based on staying cautious with tax planning, recordkeeping, and preparation in advance. Hiring a knowledgeable tax accountant is essential for the efficient operation of your organization. Below we have specified some other tax strategies that will help you with tax compliance and business profitability.

    How to Reduce Your Business Tax Bill

    Filing your business taxes on time can be complicated, but it is the foundational small business tax strategy. Here are some tips to reduce the daunting tax bill, and decrease overall taxable income: 
    • Recognize which costs qualify as tax deductions: Tax regulations provide tax savings to businesses, but justifiable expenditure claims are required. For instance, unlike claiming all gasoline expenses, claiming miles for business meetings is acceptable. Similar to home office allowances, full mortgage payments are not permitted.
    • Keep meticulous and precise financial records: No matter how little the cost, keep track of it and save your receipts for seven years in case the CRA audits you. The most important thing is to have dates, spending information, and amounts documented.
    • Balance the ratio of your pay to dividends: Small business owners choose between dividends and wages for personal compensation, each with pros and cons. Increasing earnings for higher retirement fund contributions remains viable despite tax increases. Tax accountants offer economically informed advice for sound decisions.
    • Paying monthly income taxes: Small company owners withhold year-end lump sum tax payments in several cases. Make monthly tax payments and add the CRA as an online vendor to help offset this. If there are any differences, you may either pay the difference or get a year-end refund. Consult business advisors in CJCPA to find out more about it.
    Note: Consult Chartered professional accountant bc if you are in BC to discuss local tax rebates. 

    Tax Management Best Practices for Small Businesses

    Follow these few simple things to more save money on your taxes and avoid costly mistakes. Implement these small business tax strategies for a better financial positioning.
    • Open an HSA for medical expenses: Health insurance covers serious, expensive conditions, not everyday costs like teeth cleanings. To lower medical expenses, they facilitate tax-free savings for the people, and these savings are included in the health savings account.
    • Use the tax credit for creating apprenticeship jobs: Take on apprentices and train them in your trade. Get a 10% credit, up to $2,000 per trainee, on all qualified apprentice pay. Claim for people who registered within the first two years of an established program and are in a specified trade.
    • Tax Advice for Big Purchases: Large purchases typically can't be fully deducted in one year. Your accountant guides you on spreading depreciation over the years and determines applicable capital cost allowance rates. For optimal tax benefits, consult your tax accountant before making significant purchases.
    • By the deadline, file your taxes: A 1% fine is added for each month when taxes are past due. Your earnings are impacted by high fees. With well-organized documents and financial reports, timely filing is easier. Consult a chartered professional accountant to file your corporate tax Canada on time.
    Tip: A tax accountant Surrey can provide you with business consulting services too.   

    How To Avoid Common Tax Mistakes Made By Canadian Small Businesses

    Owners can implement these Canadian small business tax strategies to streamline the tax filing process, avoid compliance issues, and forecast accurate future profits:
    • Hire a professional accountant: If you are not comfortable preparing your tax return or if you have any complex tax questions, it is a good idea to find a CPA. An accountant can help you to ensure that your taxes are filed correctly and that you are claiming all of the eligible deductions and credits.
    • Use tax software: There are several tax software programs available that can help you prepare your tax return. These programs are equipped with the latest tech, but it is crucial to review your tax return carefully before filing it for accuracy.
    • Stay up-to-date on tax changes: Tax laws can change frequently, so it is important to be aware of the latest changes. The CRA website is a good resource for information on tax changes.
    • Keep organized records: File your taxes accurately with systematically maintained records. It is a good idea to keep a separate file for your business taxes and to keep all of your receipts and other relevant documents in this file. If you are in BC, look for “Bookkeeper Surrey Near Me” to find more help. 
     

    Bottom Line

    If you are an SME owner in Canada, small business tax strategies such as claiming eligible deductions, keeping meticulous records, and balancing the ratio of your pay to dividends. can reduce your tax bill. You can also save money on taxes by opening an HSA, using the tax credit for creating apprenticeship jobs and getting tax advice for big purchases. You should hire a professional accountant, use tax software, stay up-to-date on tax changes, and keep organized records to avoid any tax filing or compliance issues. For any guidance on personal taxes, corporate taxation, compliance, financial planning, business appraisal and more, feel free to get in touch with the accounting consultants at CJCPA. It is a British Columbia-based firm specializing in tax filing, corporate planning & compliance Canada. For more useful content, keep visiting our blog section.   
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