HST, WSIB & corporate tax compliance in the GTA
Stop stressing over CRA & WSIB deadlines
Small business owners, corporations and contractors face severe legal penalties and retroactive interest for missed filings. We securely manage your WSIB and HST accounts, track premium calculations, and handle all structural submissions to keep your operations risk-free.
Who this is for
Growing employer
You are expanding your team and need to navigate strict WSIB requirements, manage mandatory employer premiums, and understand the pros and cons of worker coverage without risking workplace liability.
HST-registered business
Your gross revenues have crossed or are approaching the $30,000 threshold, and you need to understand exactly why and when to file HST, collect input tax credits (ITCs), and avoid costly CRA interest charges.
What I do for you
Open an account
We set up your CRA Business Number, open your HST/GST program account, and register your business with the provincial board. Our streamlined system makes WSIB and HST account setup simple and stress-free.
HST calculation & reconciliation
We systematically analyse your revenue stream, operational bookkeeping and payroll metrics. We calculate collected HST, optimise Input Tax Credits to retrieve refunds on business expenses, and cross-reference gross payroll data with your WSIB industry classification risk code.
HST compliance & submission
We execute final audit-proof electronic filings on your behalf. We submit your annual T2 corporate income tax returns, file monthly, quarterly or annual HST schedules, and transmit your required WSIB premium balances.
WSIB registration
We handle your Workplace Safety and Insurance Board setup and reporting. We ensure your business is correctly classified, calculate accurate premium remittances based on your payroll, and prevent costly worker misclassification penalties.
WSIB calculation & reconciliation
We cross-reference your monthly source deduction payments (PD7A statements) against your year-end tax summaries to ensure your numbers balance perfectly, avoiding CRA red flags.
WSIB submission & clearance certificate
Should the CRA or WSIB initiate a performance audit or a PIER review, we act as your direct corporate representative — and we obtain the clearance certificates your clients require.
Who must register from day 1?
HST: mandatory from day 1 (no $30,000 exception)
- Per the CRA, the usual $30,000 small supplier exemption does not apply to passenger transportation services.
- Who it affects: all taxi operators, limousine drivers, and commercial rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft).
- The rule: you are legally required to open an active HST account and collect tax from your very first fare.
WSIB: mandatory from day 1 (regardless of employees)
- Per the WSIB, expanded compulsory coverage eliminates exemptions for the construction sector.
- Who it affects: sole proprietors, partners, independent operators, and executive officers working in construction.
- The rule: you must register for an active WSIB account before or on the day you begin performing construction work, even if you do not hire employees or subcontractors. For all other non-construction industries, registration is mandatory within 10 calendar days of hiring your first worker.
Essential guide to Canadian business compliance: HST & WSIB
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario
- Why do you need HST? HST is a mandatory value-added tax collected on most goods and services in Ontario. Registering lets you legally operate above the small supplier threshold and — more importantly — allows your business to claim Input Tax Credits, so you can recover the HST you paid on business expenses such as rent, inventory and office utilities.
- When do you need HST? You are legally required to register once your taxable sales, revenues or supplies exceed $30,000 within a single calendar quarter, or over four consecutive quarters. Below $30,000 registration is voluntary, but often recommended so you can claw back tax paid on startup expenses.
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB)
- Why do you need WSIB? WSIB provides workplace liability insurance for Ontario businesses. It protects your business from being sued by employees who sustain a work-related injury or illness. In exchange it provides medical benefits and wage replacement to the injured worker.
- When do you need WSIB? In Ontario, registration is mandatory within 10 days of hiring your very first worker — including full-time, part-time, casual employees and some contractors. Most businesses operating in the construction industry must register even if they have no employees.
The pros and cons of WSIB coverage
Pros of WSIB
- Lawsuit protection: imparts legal immunity — employees cannot sue your business for workplace injuries.
- Business credibility: many commercial clients, government contracts and general contractors require a valid WSIB Clearance Certificate before you can step onto a job site.
- Peace of mind: ensures your workers are taken care of financially and medically if an accident happens, preventing company bankruptcy.
Cons of WSIB
- Added expense: mandates recurring premium payments based on your industry risk classification and gross payroll.
- Administrative overhead: requires regular reporting of payroll data, strict reporting deadlines, and ongoing compliance upkeep.
- Audit risks: non-compliance, late filing or misclassifying workers can trigger severe penalties and retroactive premium assessments during a WSIB audit.
What you need to bring
Financial records & bookkeeping
- Cleaned trial balance, general ledger, and year-end financial statements.
- Up-to-date bank statements and credit card reconciliations for the fiscal year.
- Receipts and invoices for all major capital asset purchases — computers, vehicles, equipment.
HST & sales documentation
- Summary of total gross sales broken down by province, if selling outside Ontario.
- Total HST collected from your customers during the filing period.
- Complete logs and receipts for all business expenses showing the HST paid, to calculate your ITCs.
Payroll & WSIB details
- Gross payroll summaries, active T4/T4A slips, and individual contractor invoices.
- Your current WSIB account documentation and assigned NAICS industry code.
- Total hours and earnings tracked for active construction sites.
Prior tax & CRA statements
- Your corporation's previous year's T2 return and Notice of Assessment.
- Access to CRA My Business Account, or your latest HST/PD7A statements.
- Any previous audit notices or discrepancy letters received from the CRA or WSIB.
How much does it cost?
Account setup & filing
From $99
For organised micro-businesses, freelancers or single-shareholder corporations with pre-summarised financial categories ready for direct HST or basic T2 filing.
Corporate or high volume
Custom quote
Full-service corporate bookkeeping reconciliations, multi-tiered corporate tax filing, structured employee and subcontractor payroll tracking, WSIB reporting, and year-round compliance audit protection.
Full breakdown on the pricing page.
Trusted corporate tax, HST & WSIB accounting across the Greater Toronto Area
Canadian tax classifications, complex corporate structures and overlapping WSIB regulations can be overwhelming. A single miscalculated payroll box or an unregistered operating date can trigger automated government penalties and serious asset risk.
We align your business infrastructure with CRA and provincial guidelines — from setting up WSIB and HST accounts to securing valid site clearance certificates — for businesses across Toronto, North York, Markham, Scarborough and the wider GTA.
HST & WSIB FAQ
Do I have to register for HST?
Generally once taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. Registering voluntarily below that can be worthwhile if you have significant input tax credits to claim.
What is the quick method?
A simplified way to calculate HST owing as a percentage of your sales instead of tracking every input tax credit. For service businesses with low expenses it often results in paying less.
Why does my client want a WSIB clearance certificate?
It protects them from liability for your WSIB premiums. Without a current certificate, many general contractors will not release payment.
I drive for Uber — do I really need HST from my first fare?
Yes. The $30,000 small supplier exemption does not apply to passenger transportation services, which includes commercial rideshare. You are required to have an active HST account and collect tax from your very first fare, regardless of how little you earn.
Do I need WSIB if I have no employees?
In construction, usually yes — compulsory coverage extends to sole proprietors, partners, independent operators and executive officers performing construction work, even with no staff. Outside construction, the obligation generally starts within 10 days of hiring your first worker.
Should I register for HST voluntarily below the threshold?
Sometimes. If you are buying significant equipment or services, registering lets you recover the HST you pay through Input Tax Credits — often worthwhile during a startup phase. The trade-off is that you must then charge HST to your clients, which matters if they are individuals who cannot recover it.
Let's sort this out properly
Book a free consultation and I'll tell you exactly what your situation needs.