Each area of the platform economy is unique, and participants can have different tax obligations.

For example, in general, if you provide goods or services and earn more than $30,000 over four calendar quarters, then you must collect and send the related goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). However, if you earn income from ridesharing, you must collect and send the GST/HST to the CRA regardless of the amount you earn.

As of June 20, 2024, certain psychotherapists and counselling therapists are no longer required to collect the GST/HST on their services. The Canada Revenue Agency wants to ensure that all providers of these types of services have the information they need to determine their tax situation and take any next steps, such as closing their GST/HST account.

Earlier this month, we issued a tax tip answering your top seven business tax information questions. Now that the basics are covered, we can turn to more specific questions.

The platform economy includes economic activities facilitated by digital platforms, like websites or mobile applications. Commercial ridesharing and delivery services are two common activities in the platform economy sector. These activities are part of different areas of the platform economy, and come with different tax obligations.

Question 1: What are some of the 2024 tax changes that could affect my business?

Last year, there were many announcements for businesses that took effect as of January 1, 2024. These include:

• Changes to mandatory electronic filing thresholds

• Changes to electronic filing for GST/HST registrants

• New reporting requirements for trusts

To help you understand these and other changes, we’ve pulled together a quick reference tax tip that covers what you need to know. Please check out the reference tax tip here: Here are the top changes this year that will affect business taxes in 2024.

If you're self-employed, navigating your tax obligations may seem complicated. But don't worry, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is here to help you! To get ready for tax-filing season, we've put together helpful tips and information for self-employed individuals.

Life is full of responsibilities, from school and work to family and everything in between. We understand that taxes can easily slip to the bottom of your to-do list.

Don’t worry if you haven’t filed your 2023 income tax and benefit return yet – you still have time. Use the information below to help you complete and submit your tax return before the deadline.

For GST/HST reporting periods that begin in 2024, all GST/HST registrants, except for charities and selected financial institutions, are required to file returns electronically.

The mandatory electronic filing threshold that was in place for GST/HST returns has been removed for reporting periods that begin on or after January 1, 2024, which means that electronic filing is now required for most businesses.

What is a peer-to-peer sale?

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).

What is the sharing economy?

In the sharing economy, individuals and businesses share their assets with others for a price. Arrangements are generally made using online platforms through a third party, or using a website or an application (app).

The sharing economy can take a variety of forms, such as:

• Transportation: ridesharing, rentals of bikes, boats, other motor equipment

• Accommodation sharing: renting out your home, rooms, cottage and more

• Space rentals: industrial kitchens, gardens, parking spots, workspaces, or laboratories

Did you receive subscriptions and perks like merchandise and trips or other income?

If you earned income by posting pictures, videos and more on your social media channels that involves product placement or product promotion, you may be undertaking a business activity. You can earn income from your social media activities in many ways, both monetary and non-monetary (barter transactions), including, but not limited to…

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:

GST/HST is collected on most taxable supplies of property and services made in Canada, with some exceptions. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has information to help GST/HST registrants file and remit the GST/HST that they have collected.

Register for a GST/HST account if you are an eligible entity and haven’t already registered

To find out if you should register for a GST/HST account, click When to register and start charging the GST/HST.

A GST/HST account number is part of a business number (BN) that is received after registering for a GST/HST account online, by mail or by fax, or by telephone.

Non residents who want to register for a GST/HST account can visit: Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.

High call volumes to the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Business Enquiries Line can result in long wait times to reach a client service representative.

Here are some quick and easy alternatives to finding the information you need (instead of calling).

Check Canada.ca: We're improving the information on our web pages to make it easier for Canadians to find what they need online. This includes services and information for:

• business number registration;

• business income tax;

• payroll;

• GST/HST for business; and much more.

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 it is income from temporary, freelance work, short-term contracts or from other revenue sources.

If you paid foreign income tax, you could be eligible for a tax credit.

You can also claim eligible business expenses relating to income you earned through the gig economy.

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.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) understands that many businesses are going through changes as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are available, year round, to help small and medium businesses with their unique needs. As you go through business changes, you may face different requirements as you manage your tax affairs. We are here to help.

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.

New to doing your taxes? Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through the process and answer your questions. We’ve put together tips and information to help you this tax season.

You can also watch our video series for newcomers. It’s available in 12 different languages: Arabic, Cantonese, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Russian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, and Urdu.

The first thing to know is that you have to complete and file an income tax and benefit return every year to:

• receive certain benefits and credits you may be entitled

• to receive a tax refund you are owed

It is important to keep proper financial records of all your activities relating to your cryptocurrency. You should keep records when you purchase, dispose, or mine cryptocurrency to ensure you have accurate information of your activities. This information is important for your own records and for filing your tax returns.

When you trade, sell or mine cryptocurrency, you have to report any income or capital gains from those activities on your tax return. However, you may also be able to report your expenses and losses. If you exchange taxable goods or services for cryptocurrency, you may have to report goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST).