Tax and Bookkeeping for Online Sellers and Content Creators

Toronto Tax & Accounting Solutions Inc. prepares tax returns and keeps the books for Canadians who earn money online: sellers on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify and Facebook Marketplace, creators on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch and Patreon, and freelancers on Upwork and Fiverr. We work from our Scarborough office or entirely online, in English, Urdu and Punjabi.

The short answer: income you earn through online platforms is generally taxable in Canada, whether or not the platform sends you a tax slip. If you run it as a business, you report it on Form T2125 with your personal return, or through a corporation. A self-employed return from us starts from $149.99 before HST.

Request a quote · Call (437) 410-7999 · WhatsApp

Written fee before work starts · Review before filing · English, Urdu and Punjabi

Who this page is for

• Marketplace sellers: Amazon.ca (including FBA), eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Poshmark, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, including resellers who buy and sell stock.
• Creators: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Twitch creators, streamers, podcasters, bloggers and affiliate marketers, including Patreon and other subscription income.
• Online freelancers: work found through Upwork, Fiverr and similar sites.

We handle the Canadian side: Canadian income tax, GST/HST and bookkeeping. We do not prepare US tax forms or handle US tax filings or US sales tax.

Do I have to report online income in Canada?

Yes. The CRA says that all income you earn through social media channels, both money and non-monetary items such as free products, clothing or trips, must be reported, and non-monetary items are reported at fair market value. See the CRA's tax tip for social media influencers. Selling goods online works the same way: when you are carrying on a business, you report your gross sales and then deduct the eligible expenses.

There is no minimum. Business income is reported from the first dollar, and whether you owe tax depends on your total income, credits and deductions. Whether a small activity is a hobby or a business depends on the facts. Tell us how you run it and we will explain which applies.

Platforms now report sellers to the CRA

Since 2024, Canada's Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators require platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy to give the CRA details about their Canadian sellers. A seller with fewer than 30 sales of goods and no more than $2,800 in total payments in a year is excluded from this reporting (see the CRA's who is affected page). Being below that limit does not make income tax-free, and being reported does not mean you did anything wrong. It means the CRA can compare what the platform reports with what is on your return.

GST/HST: when online sellers and creators must register

You must register for GST/HST once your taxable sales pass $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters. The test looks at your taxable sales as a whole, not one platform at a time, and it is measured on gross sales, not profit. Below $30,000 you are a small supplier and registration is optional. Registering voluntarily lets you claim input tax credits on business purchases.

Some platforms collect and remit sales tax on certain sales. Whether that changes your own registration depends on the platform and the sale, so check before relying on it and tell us which platforms you use. The CRA explains the platform rules on its GST/HST for digital-economy businesses page.

YouTube and other US platforms: tax forms and withholding

YouTube asks creators outside the United States for US tax information, usually a W-8BEN form submitted in AdSense. Once valid tax information is on file, withholding applies only to earnings from US viewers, at a rate between 0% and 30% that depends on the tax treaty between your country and the US. Without it, Google may withhold up to 24% of an individual account's worldwide earnings. Google explains the rules in US tax requirements for YouTube earnings. Tell us what was withheld, because your payment statements are part of the records we use to prepare your Canadian return. We prepare the Canadian side only and do not prepare US tax forms or handle US tax filings.

Records we ask online sellers and creators to keep

• Platform sales and payout reports, such as Amazon settlement reports and eBay and Etsy payment reports and your AdSense payment history
• Platform fee statements, shipping labels and packaging receipts
• Inventory purchase invoices and a year-end stock count
• Advertising, software and subscription invoices
• Bank and credit card statements for the account you use for the business
• Receipts for equipment such as cameras, computers and lighting
• Brand-deal agreements and the value of free products or trips you received
• Your GST/HST account number and filed returns, if you are registered

Expenses online businesses often claim

If you carry on a business, expenses may be deductible when they are reasonable, relate directly to earning the income and are not personal. Common examples are platform and payment fees, shipping, packaging, inventory and materials, advertising, software, equipment, and a business-use share of internet, phone and home costs. We review each item. Having a receipt does not mean an expense qualifies.

Starting fees and what your quote covers

Prices are in Canadian dollars, before HST. We confirm your scope and fee in writing before starting.

Service	Starting fee	Scope and separate work
Self-employed return for online sellers and creators	$149.99	Personal return including the business income statement (Form T2125). Inventory, several platforms and incomplete records can increase the fee. Bookkeeping and GST/HST are quoted separately.
Monthly bookkeeping	from $99/month	Packages run from $99 to $449 a month depending on transactions and accounts. See bookkeeping packages.
GST/HST registration and returns	Quoted case by case	Scope and fee confirmed in writing before work begins. See GST/HST services.
Corporate (T2) return	$499 active, $250 nil	For businesses operating through a corporation. Bookkeeping, financial statements, payroll filings and the Ontario annual return are separate. See corporate tax.
Incorporation in Ontario	$249	See incorporation.
Business name registration	$60 service fee	Plus HST, on top of the $60 Ontario government fee. For sole proprietors and partnerships.

How fast we can file

We file around 1,000 returns a year. A simple personal return is usually done in about two days once we have your documents, and one-day filing can be arranged for personal returns when your information is complete and we agree the date in advance. Returns with inventory, several platforms or catch-up bookkeeping take longer, and we tell you the timing in your quote.

Should an online business incorporate?

It depends on your profit, how much cash you need personally, the extra admin cost and the ongoing filings. Incorporation is not automatically a tax saving, and a corporation files its own T2 return separate from the owner's personal return. Our guide to sole proprietorship vs corporation in Ontario sets out the trade-offs.

Work directly with an owner-operated firm

Toronto Tax & Accounting Solutions Inc. is owner-operated by Behroz Rizvi. You deal directly with the person who oversees your return and is familiar with your file. You can discuss your return in English, Urdu or Punjabi and contact the firm with questions after filing.

Credentials held by Behroz Rizvi: QuickBooks ProAdvisor (Gold tier) · Xero Certified Specialist (Level 3) · Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP). View credentials and verification details.

Read client reviews on Google. They come from clients across Scarborough, Toronto and the wider GTA.

From enquiry to filed return

1. Tell us what you need. Include the service, tax year and any approaching deadline. Do not include SINs, passwords or tax documents in your enquiry.
2. Receive your quote and checklist. We confirm the work, fee and expected timing, and explain how to share sensitive documents.
3. Review the result. We prepare your return and explain it before asking for your approval and the required authorization.
4. Approve, then we file. You receive a copy of the filed return. Your refund or balance owing depends on your circumstances and the CRA's assessment.

See how we work for the full process. If the CRA sends a notice about a return we prepared, we explain it at no charge. Response work is quoted separately; we do not prepare formal Notices of Objection.

Guides for online sellers and creators

• Amazon seller taxes in Canada
• eBay taxes in Canada
• Etsy taxes in Canada
• YouTube taxes in Canada
• GST/HST on online sales
• Hobby or business?
• Inventory and cost of goods sold
• Uber, DoorDash and delivery driver taxes
• Airbnb and short-term rental taxes
• First tax return for newcomers and international students

Online seller and creator tax questions

Do I have to report Amazon, eBay or Etsy income in Canada?

Yes. Income from selling goods online is business income when you are carrying on a business, and it is reported on your tax return even if the platform sends you no slip. You report gross sales and deduct eligible expenses.

Do Amazon, eBay and Etsy report my sales to the CRA?

Platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy must report certain Canadian sellers to the CRA under rules that began in 2024. A seller with fewer than 30 sales of goods and no more than $2,800 in total payments in a year is excluded from that reporting, but the income is still reportable by you.

Do I report gross sales or the amount I receive after fees?

Report gross sales. Platform fees, payment processing fees, shipping and similar costs are then claimed as expenses when they are eligible, so the amount that lands in your bank account is not your income figure.

When do I need to charge GST/HST on my online sales?

Once your total taxable sales pass $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters, you must register and charge GST/HST. Below that you are a small supplier and registration is optional.

Is YouTube income taxable in Canada?

Yes. Ad revenue, memberships, sponsorships, affiliate income and other earnings from YouTube and similar platforms are generally business income. The CRA also requires free products, trips and other non-monetary compensation to be reported at fair market value.

Do I need a W-8BEN form for YouTube?

YouTube asks creators outside the US for US tax information, usually a W-8BEN. With valid information on file, withholding applies only to US-viewer earnings at a treaty-based rate. Without it, Google may withhold up to 24% of worldwide earnings from an individual account. We do not prepare US tax forms, so complete it in AdSense following Google's instructions.

Do I have to register a business to sell online?

You report the income whether or not you register anything. A business name registration is generally needed when you trade under a name other than your own, and we can help with it. Our service fee is $60 plus HST, on top of the $60 Ontario government fee.

Can I sell online part-time while I have a job?

Yes. You report your employment income and your online business income on the same personal return, and you deduct only the expenses that relate to the business.

How much does it cost?

A self-employed return starts from $149.99 and monthly bookkeeping from $99, both before HST. Inventory, several platforms and incomplete records can increase the fee, and we confirm the fee in writing before work begins.

Can you work with me remotely?

Yes. We work with online sellers and creators across Canada except Quebec by phone, email and video, and you are welcome to visit our Scarborough office.

Get a quote for your online business

Tell us which platforms you use, roughly how much you sell or earn in a year, whether you hold inventory, and whether you are registered for GST/HST. You can start with a short enquiry rather than a full tax intake.

Request a quote · Call (437) 410-7999 · WhatsApp

Our only office is Office 19, 695 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1H 2A5. Work with us online or visit the Scarborough office. Check current hours and visit details.

Please do not send SINs, passwords, banking credentials or tax documents in the enquiry form. We explain how to share sensitive information after you contact us.

Credentials and experience

Your return is handled by owner Behroz Rizvi. Read our Google reviews or view his credentials and experience.

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Gold tier. Xero associate, professional and specialist certifications held by Behroz are valid to October 26, 2027. These software credentials are separate from tax filing authorization.

What clients say about our service

“They explained everything clearly, responded quickly, and made the whole process easy and stress-free.”

Amisha — Google review

“They’re incredibly responsive—just a text away whenever I have any questions.”

Manjot K. — Google review

Read more reviews from our clients on Google.