CRA Checklist for New Small Business

This checklist is for people like you who are starting a business. Using the links below, you can get information about your fiscal obligations and their implications. You can also get information on interactions between your business and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

CRA-Changing Your Business Status

Find out what you should do when you make changes to the structure, status or ownership of your business.

CRA-Payroll Deduction Calculator

Calculate deductions and contributions on employee pay, open a payroll account to send deductions, report income deductions.

Digital Assistance Program for Small Business

The Digital Assistance Program for Small Business will help businesses across the province adapt to the digital economy, attract more customers and grow sales by providing eligible small businesses up to $5,000 to work with qualified digital service providers. Digital service providers will specialize in website development, search engine optimization, digital marketing and social media strategy, building online booking systems, and e-commerce tools. Applications are now open for small businesses seeking assistance. Businesses that qualified for the Small Business Impact Grant Part 3 that have been directly affected by the April 2021 public health measures will be automatically pre-qualified to participate in the Digital Assistance Program. Applications for Digital Service Providers are always open.

EDC Financing

EDC offers competitive payment terms, direct financing for key deals or experienced partnerships for financing high-value, high-stakes international projects.

EDC Research

Export development Canada offers a variety of information that can assist companies in preparing for export. The type of information EDC can provide is Market Information Webinars Articles Trade Insights Export Hub Help

EDC-NEDC Insurance Programs

EDC’s credit insurance protects Canadian exporters against the risk of non-payment caused by an array of events including customer bankruptcy or non-payment, contract cancellation, issues with currency conversion or transfer, and more. With credit insurance protection, your bank will typically lend against your insured invoices for 90% of their value, significantly increasing your access to cash.

Efficiency Nova Scotia

We help all types of businesses, from small mom-and-pop shops to large industrial manufacturers and everything in between. Here’s how we can help small businesses: We provide rebates that cover up to 60% of the total project cost for energy efficiency upgrades, a free energy assessment for businesses who qualify and 24-months interest free financing on your Nova Scotia Power bill. Until December 31, 2021, incentives have increased to cover up to 80% of the total project cost on select lighting and all commercial heating measures. Starting June 29, incentives for energy efficiency upgrades will be available for non-electrically heated small businesses and not-for-profits. Incentives will be available for select products in the following categories: Heating Kitchen Equipment Water Heating Laundry Equipment Agriculture Technologies Solar Our Business Energy Rebates Program offers instant and mail-in rebates for qualifying energy efficient products, too. For more information on programs for small businesses, contact Spencer Leblanc our Business Development Manager dedicated to helping small businesses save. Contact information can be found below. If you’re constructing a new building, planning an expansion, or undertaking major renovations, larger businesses can benefit from rebates on high quality, efficient equipment and programs that identify energy savings to reduce their maintenance costs and equipment run times. For more information on our programs please visit our website.

Employment and Social Development Canada – Apprentice’s Loss of Wages Program

Employers may top up an apprentice’s loss of wages while the apprentice is attending technical training, and this allowance is not considered as earnings to be deducted from EI benefits.

Employment and Social Development Canada – Canada Summer Jobs Fund

Do you plan to hire students to help out at your small business next summer? This wage subsidy could help you pay up to 50% of the salary to an eligible full-time student. To qualify:   Students must be between 15 and 30 years old You should have no more than 50 full-time employees You need to meet the priorities set by your region   The value of the subsidy is based on the minimum wage in your region. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible for 100% of the student’s salary.