FAQs
- “Debit” what comes in and “Credit” what goes out.
- “Debit” the receiver and “Credit” the giver.
- “Debit” all expenses and “Credit” all income.
Variable expense varies based on your revenue. Your cost of goods sold is usually based on your quantities of goods sold. Your shipping expenses are based you the quality of the goods shipped.
An estimation of your fixed expense helps you understand the amount of revenue you need to realize in period over period.
In Canada, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) are consumption taxes that apply to most goods and services. However, some supplies are exempt from these taxes, which means that no GST or HST is charged on them.
Exempt supplies are supplies of property or services that are specifically listed as exempt in the Excise Tax Act, which is the federal legislation that governs the GST/HST. Some examples of exempt supplies include:
- Basic groceries (e.g. bread, milk, vegetables).
- Prescription drugs and certain medical devices.
- Educational services (e.g. courses leading to a degree or diploma).
- Certain financial services (e.g. bank account fees, insurance premiums).
- Most health care services (e.g. doctor visits, hospital care).
It's important to note that exempt supplies are different from zero-rated supplies. Zero-rated supplies are supplies that are taxable, but at a rate of 0%. Businesses that make zero-rated supplies can still claim input tax credits (ITCs) to recover the GST/HST paid on their inputs. Exempt supplies, on the other hand, do not generate ITCs.
If you're unsure whether a particular supply is exempt or zero-rated, you should consult or speak to a tax professional.
A paystub, also known as a pay slip or pay advice, is a document that employers give to their employees to detail their pay and deductions for a specific pay period. It typically includes information such as the employee's gross pay, which is their total earnings before any deductions are made, and their net pay, which is their take-home pay after deductions.
A paystub may also include information about the employee's taxes withheld, such as income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums. It may also include information about any other deductions or benefits, such as health or dental insurance, pension contributions, or union dues.
Paystubs are important because they provide employees with a record of their earnings and deductions, which can be useful for budgeting and tax purposes. They also help to ensure that employees are being paid correctly and that all required deductions and contributions are being made
CPP stands for Canada Pension Plan. It is a social insurance program that provides income to retired or disabled Canadians, as well as their survivors and dependents. The CPP is funded through contributions from both employees and employers, as well as from the self-employed.
nder the CPP, eligible workers who make contributions during their working years can receive a regular income in retirement. The amount of CPP retirement benefits that a person is eligible to receive is based on their earnings throughout their working life and the number of years that they contributed to the plan.
In addition to retirement benefits, the CPP also provides disability benefits to eligible workers who become disabled and are unable to work, as well as survivor benefits to the surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children of a deceased CPP contributor. The CPP is a federal program that is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) collects CPP contributions and administers the program on behalf of ESDC.
EI stands for Employment Insurance. It is a social insurance program in Canada that provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, such as due to layoff or illness. The program also provides benefits to eligible self-employed individuals who opt in to the program.
EI benefits are intended to help individuals meet their basic needs while they search for new employment or upgrade their skills. The amount of EI benefits that a person is eligible to receive is based on their previous earnings and the number of insurable hours they have accumulated.
In addition to regular EI benefits, the program also provides special benefits, including:
- Maternity benefits: for eligible pregnant individuals who are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth.
- Parental benefits: for eligible parents who are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
- Sickness benefits: for eligible workers who are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Compassionate care benefits: for eligible individuals who are caring for a gravely ill family member with a significant risk of death.
EI is a federal program that is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The program is funded through premiums that are paid by both employees and employers, with the amount of the premium based on the employee's earnings. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) collects EI premiums and administers the program on behalf of ESDC.
The Basic Personal Amount (BPA) is a non-refundable tax credit in Canada that reduces the amount of federal income tax that an individual must pay. The BPA is a fixed amount that is adjusted each year to account for inflation. The BPA is available to all Canadian residents who have taxable income, regardless of their age or employment status. The amount of the credit is calculated by multiplying the BPA by the lowest federal tax rate. The BPA is also used to calculate certain other non-refundable tax credits, such as the Canada Employment Amount and the Age Amount.
In the 2022 tax year, the federal Basic Personal Amount is $14,398. This means that an individual with a taxable income of $14,398 or less will not owe any federal income tax. Each province has its own BPA amount, and your provincial income tax computation is based on that amount.
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It is a United States law that requires employers and employees to contribute to two government-run programs, namely Social Security and Medicare.
Under FICA, employers and employees are each responsible for paying a portion of the total contribution to these programs. In 2022, the Social Security portion of the FICA tax is set at 12.4% of an employee's earnings, with the employer and employee each responsible for 6.2%. The Medicare portion of the tax is set at 2.9%, with the employer and employee each responsible for 1.45%
The Social Security program provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible individuals and their families. The Medicare program provides health insurance to individuals who are aged 65 and older, as well as to individuals with certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Self-employed individuals in the United States are responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of the FICA tax, known as the Self-Employment Tax, which currently stands at 15.3% of net earnings. FICA is an important source of funding for these government programs and helps ensure that eligible individuals have access to financial and health care assistance when needed.
Medicare tax is a payroll tax that is collected by the United States government to help fund the Medicare program, which provides health insurance to eligible individuals who are aged 65 and older, as well as to individuals with certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which governs the collection of payroll taxes in the United States, employers and employees are each responsible for paying a portion of the total Medicare tax contribution. In 2022, the Medicare tax rate is set at 2.9% of an employee's earnings, with the employer and employee each responsible for 1.45%.
Unlike Social Security taxes, there is no cap on the amount of earnings subject to Medicare tax. This means that all earned income is subject to Medicare tax, regardless of how much an individual earns.
Self-employed individuals in the United States are responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of the Medicare tax, known as the Self-Employment Tax, which currently stands at 2.9% of net earnings. However, self-employed individuals can deduct half of the self-employment tax on their federal income tax return as an adjustment to income.
FUTA stands for Federal Unemployment Tax Act. It is a United States federal law that requires employers to pay a tax on the wages paid to their employees. The FUTA tax is used to fund the federal government's unemployment insurance program, which provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who have lost their jobs
Under FUTA, employers are required to pay a tax on the first $7,000 of each employee's annual earnings. The FUTA tax rate is currently set at 6% of an employee's earnings, although many employers are eligible for a credit of up to 5.4% if they also pay state unemployment taxes.
Employers are responsible for paying the FUTA tax themselves and cannot deduct it from their employees' wages. However, employers can generally deduct the cost of the FUTA tax as a business expense on their federal income tax return.
The FUTA tax is an important source of funding for the federal government's unemployment insurance program, which provides financial support to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The program helps to provide a safety net for workers during times of economic hardship and helps to stimulate economic growth by supporting consumer spending.
SUTA stands for State Unemployment Tax Act. It is a United States state-level tax that is collected from employers to fund the state's unemployment insurance program. The unemployment insurance program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Under SUTA, employers are required to pay a tax on the wages paid to their employees, up to a certain limit determined by the state. The tax rate and wage base vary by state and can change from year to year. Generally, employers with a higher rate of employee turnover or a history of layoffs may be subject to higher SUTA tax rates.
The funds collected through SUTA taxes are used to pay unemployment benefits to eligible workers who have lost their jobs. The amount and duration of benefits vary by state and are determined by a worker's employment history and other factors.
Employers are responsible for paying the SUTA tax themselves and cannot deduct it from their employees' wages. Failure to pay SUTA taxes or failure to file the required paperwork can result in penalties and interest charges.
SUTA is an important source of funding for state unemployment insurance programs and helps to provide a safety net for workers during times of economic hardship. The program also helps to stimulate economic growth by supporting consumer spending.
SUTA stands for State Unemployment Tax Act. It is a United States state-level tax that is collected from employers to fund the state's unemployment insurance program. The unemployment insurance program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Under SUTA, employers are required to pay a tax on the wages paid to their employees, up to a certain limit determined by the state. The tax rate and wage base vary by state and can change from year to year. Generally, employers with a higher rate of employee turnover or a history of layoffs may be subject to higher SUTA tax rates.
The funds collected through SUTA taxes are used to pay unemployment benefits to eligible workers who have lost their jobs. The amount and duration of benefits vary by state and are determined by a worker's employment history and other factors.
Employers are responsible for paying the SUTA tax themselves and cannot deduct it from their employees' wages. Failure to pay SUTA taxes or failure to file the required paperwork can result in penalties and interest charges.
SUTA is an important source of funding for state unemployment insurance programs and helps to provide a safety net for workers during times of economic hardship. The program also helps to stimulate economic growth by supporting consumer spending.
WSIB stands for Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. It is a Canadian agency that provides no-fault insurance and compensation to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
The WSIB administers the workplace insurance system in Ontario, which provides benefits to workers and their families for work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The benefits include wage replacement, health care benefits, and other support services.
The WSIB is responsible for setting premiums for employers, based on the risk of injury associated with their industry and their individual workplace safety record. Employers in Ontario are required by law to carry workplace insurance through the WSIB, and are responsible for reporting workplace injuries and illnesses to the board.
In addition to providing benefits to workers, the WSIB is also responsible for promoting workplace safety and preventing workplace injuries and illnesses through research, education, and outreach programs. The agency works with employers, workers, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for improving workplace safety and reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses.
Overall, the WSIB plays an important role in ensuring that Ontario workers have access to the support and resources they need in the event of a work-related injury or illness, and in promoting safe and healthy workplaces across the province.
EHT stands for Employer Health Tax. It is a payroll tax that is levied on employers in certain Canadian provinces to help fund health care services.
In Ontario, the EHT is a tax that is paid by employers based on the total payroll amount they pay to their employees in a given year. The tax rate is graduated, which means that employers pay a higher rate of tax as their payroll amount increases.
The EHT is designed to be a broad-based tax that applies to all employers, regardless of the size of their workforce or the nature of their business. The revenue generated from the tax is used to support a range of health care services in Ontario, including hospitals, public health programs, and community health care services.
Employers in Ontario are required to register for the EHT and make regular payments to the provincial government. Failure to comply with EHT requirements can result in penalties and interest charges.
Overall, the EHT is an important source of funding for health care services in Ontario and helps to ensure that all employers contribute to the costs of the health care system.
A T4 is a tax slip issued by an employer in Canada to report an employee's income and deductions for a given tax year. It summarizes the amount of employment income an employee earned from an employer during the year and the amount of income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums deducted from their pay.
The T4 slip is an important document for both employers and employees. Employers must provide their employees with a T4 slip by the last day of February following the tax year. Employees use their T4 slip to complete their income tax return and report their employment income and deductions to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The T4 slip includes information such as the employee's name, address, social insurance number, and employment income earned during the year, as well as the amount of CPP contributions, EI premiums, and income tax withheld from their pay. The slip also shows other deductions that may have been made from an employee's pay, such as contributions to a registered pension plan or union dues.
Employers must file a copy of each employee's T4 slip with the CRA by the end of February following the tax year. Failure to file T4 slips on time or to provide accurate information can result in penalties and interest charges.
Overall, the T4 slip is an important document that helps to ensure that employees pay the correct amount of income tax and benefit from social programs such as the CPP and EI.
A W-2 form is a tax document used in the United States to report an employee's annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from their paycheck by their employer. The form summarizes an employee's total taxable income and deductions for a given tax year.
Employers are required to provide their employees with a W-2 form by January 31st of the following year. The form includes information such as the employee's name, address, Social Security number, and the total amount of wages earned during the year. It also shows the amounts of federal, state, and local income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes withheld from the employee's pay.
Employees use the information on the W-2 form to complete their tax return and report their income and taxes paid to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The W-2 form is also used to verify income when applying for loans or financial assistance.
In addition to providing the employee with a copy of the W-2 form, employers are required to file a copy of the form with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the appropriate state and local tax authorities.
Overall, the W-2 form is an important document that helps employees and the government to accurately report and track employment income and taxes.
A 1099 form is a tax document used in the United States to report various types of income that are not related to employment wages. The form is used to report income earned from sources such as freelance work, contract work, and investment income.
There are several types of 1099 forms, each used to report different types of income. For example, a 1099-MISC form is used to report miscellaneous income, such as payments made to independent contractors or freelancers. A 1099-INT form is used to report interest income earned from bank accounts or investments. A 1099-DIV form is used to report dividend income earned from stocks or mutual funds.
In general, if an individual or business paid you more than $600 during the year for services, rents, or other types of income, they are required to issue you a 1099 form by January 31st of the following year.
Recipients of a 1099 form must include the income reported on the form on their tax return and may be required to pay taxes on this income. The issuer of the 1099 form must also file a copy of the form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Overall, the 1099 form is an important document that helps individuals and businesses to report various types of income for tax purposes and ensures that the appropriate taxes are paid to the IRS.
IRS stands for Internal Revenue Service, which is the tax agency of the United States federal government. The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing the tax laws in the United States. It is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and is headed by a Commissioner who is appointed by the President of the United States.
The IRS has a wide range of responsibilities, including processing tax returns, collecting taxes owed, and enforcing tax laws. It also provides taxpayer education and assistance, including providing resources and tools to help individuals and businesses understand their tax obligations.
The IRS is responsible for administering a variety of taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes. It also oversees the administration of tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans, and other tax-related programs.
The IRS has the authority to conduct audits and investigations of individuals and businesses suspected of tax fraud or other violations of tax law. It also has the power to impose penalties and fines for failure to pay taxes or other violations of tax law.
Overall, the IRS plays a crucial role in collecting the revenue needed to fund the government and ensure compliance with tax laws in the United States.
CRA stands for the Canada Revenue Agency, which is the federal agency responsible for administering tax laws and collecting taxes in Canada. The CRA is responsible for processing tax returns, determining tax liabilities, and enforcing tax laws in Canada.
The CRA is also responsible for administering a number of social and economic benefit programs, such as the Canada Child Benefit and the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit.
In addition, the CRA is responsible for ensuring compliance with Canada's tax laws, including conducting audits and investigations of individuals and businesses suspected of non-compliance. The CRA also has the power to impose penalties and fines for failure to comply with tax laws.
Overall, the CRA plays a crucial role in ensuring that Canadians comply with tax laws and that the government has the revenue necessary to fund social programs and government services.
A remote seller is a business that sells goods or services from one jurisdiction to another without having a physical presence in the jurisdiction where the sale occurs. With the growth of e-commerce, many businesses are able to sell their products or services remotely without having a physical storefront or office in every jurisdiction where they have customers.
In the context of sales tax, a remote seller may be subject to tax laws in the jurisdiction where their customer is located. For example, if a business based in one state in the United States sells products to customers in another state, they may be required to collect and remit sales tax in the state where their customer is located, even if they have no physical presence in that state.
The rules regarding remote sellers can be complex and vary by jurisdiction. As a result, it is important for businesses to be aware of the tax laws in each jurisdiction where they have customers to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Crypto currency taxation refers to the taxation of transactions involving cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Cryptocurrencies are treated as property for tax purposes in many jurisdictions, including the United States and Canada.
This means that gains or losses from the sale or exchange of cryptocurrencies are subject to capital gains tax. If a taxpayer holds a cryptocurrency for more than one year before selling it, they may be eligible for lower long-term capital gains tax rates. If they hold it for less than a year before selling, they may be subject to higher short-term capital gains tax rates.
In addition, transactions involving cryptocurrencies may trigger other tax reporting requirements. For example, in the United States, taxpayers who engage in more than 200 transactions or whose transaction value exceeds $20,000 in a tax year must report their cryptocurrency transactions on Form 1099.
The tax treatment of cryptocurrencies can be complex and may vary by jurisdiction. As a result, it is important for taxpayers who engage in cryptocurrency transactions to consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations.