The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is focused on making it simpler for you to find the information you need to file your taxes on time and to manage your tax affairs. Filing tax returns on paper always takes more time than filing electronically so why not join the over 90% of corporations that already file their returns electronically?

By filing electronically, corporations receive immediate confirmation that the CRA has received their return, enjoy faster processing and refunds, save on mailing costs, and help the environment by using less paper.

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Here are answers to five of the top business tax information questions.

• How do I register for My Business Account?

• How do I authorize a representative for my business?

• How do I access CRA’s online services for businesses?

• How do I make payments to the CRA?

• How do I file GST/HST using GST/HST NETFILE?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) knows that it can be intimidating for new businesses to file their first tax return. That’s why we aim to help small businesses by ensuring they have the information and guidance they need to stay organized and to understand and meet their tax obligations.

Here’s what you need to know if you are a new business and have questions about filing your income tax and benefit return or your T2 corporation income tax return:

A peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction involves the selling of goods from one person or party directly to another. You may be taking part in P2P selling if you are connecting with buyers through digital platforms like websites, online marketplaces or mobile applications (such as Etsy, eBay or Amazon).

As a resident of Canada, you must report your income from all sources on your income tax return. This includes any income you earn inside and outside of Canada, whether through P2P or other transactions. If you paid foreign income tax, you could be eligible for a tax credit.

For Uber and Lyft drivers, you must report all income earned from driving your vehicle for ridesharing purposes, including tips, on your income tax and benefit return. You must also complete Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities, and file it with your income tax return.

You must collect and pay the GST/HST to the CRA on all ridesharing fares.

For Airbnb and accommodation sharing, you must pay income tax on all income you receive from accommodation sharing. Also, your income from accommodation sharing may be considered rental income from a property or a business. The income you receive from renting a property or from accommodation sharing must be reported on your income tax and benefit return.

For GST/HST purposes, accommodation sharing falls under short-term accommodation: renting for a period of continuous occupancy of less than one month. Short-term accommodation is not exempt from GST/HST like rentals of residential premises for periods of continuous occupancy of one month or more.

If you received one or more emergency subsidies, the amounts you received are considered government assistance and are taxable. You must report the subsidies amounts on your income tax or information return for the tax year (fiscal period) in which you are considered to have received them. The wage and rent subsidies are generally considered to have been received on the last day of the claim period they relate to.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers free Liaison Officer services to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals to help them understand their tax obligations. A visit from a Liaison Officer is 100% confidential: the information you choose to discuss with them will not be shared with other areas of the CRA, or anyone else.

Did you know that the CRA has helped over 17,000 small business owners and self-employed individuals virtually through the Liaison Officer service since the beginning of the pandemic and over 69,000 small business owners and self-employed individuals since the start of the program in 2014.