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Courses/Accounting & Tax/Income Tax

Navigating the Complexities of Employee vs. Contractor

Understanding the Legal and Tax Implications of Hiring Employees vs Contractors for CPAs and Business Owners

Created byRamesh Shah, CPA, CMA
4.4
(303 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Apr 11, 2023
Navigating the Complexities of Employee vs. Contractor

What You'll Learn

check_circleIdentify the tax implications for businesses hiring employees, including compliance with Income Tax Act, CPP, EI, and Employment Standards Rules, and the process for deducting and remitting taxes.
check_circleIdentify the tax implications for businesses hiring contractors, including verifying their GST/HST registration number, charging GST/HST on payments made, and providing a T4A slip at the end of the year.
check_circleUnderstand the differences between incorporated and unincorporated businesses, including liability, administrative requirements, and tax rates.
check_circleUnderstand the GST/HST registration and collection process for businesses, and the differences in tax rates for incorporated and unincorporated businesses.
check_circleRecognize the deductions and credits available to contractors and the differences between them and employees regarding business income and expenses.
check_circleUnderstand real-world examples of how the CRA conducts audits and enforces tax laws, such as the Connor Homes v. Canada (National Revenue)

About This Course

As a CPA or business owner

It's essential to understand the difference between an employee and a contractor and the tax implications associated with hiring them. This course is designed to help you navigate the complex world of employment contracts and business relationships.

Employee vs Contractor Definitions

In the first section, we will discuss the definitions of an employee and a contractor, including the factors that differentiate the two. We will also cover the tax obligations and compliance requirements for businesses hiring employees or contractors.

Tax Implications for Businesses Hiring Contractors

The second section will delve into the tax implications for businesses hiring contractors. We will discuss:

  • How to ensure that the contractor is not an employee under the common law rules
  • How to obtain the contractor's GST/HST registration number
  • How to charge and remit GST/HST

Incorporated vs. Unincorporated Businesses

Next, we will explore the differences between incorporated and unincorporated businesses. We will look at:

  • The pros and cons of each
  • How they affect the tax obligations for businesses

GST/HST Registration and Collection

The course will also cover GST/HST registration and collection for both:

  • Sole proprietorship businesses
  • Corporation businesses

Tax Rates

We will explain the tax rates for incorporated and unincorporated businesses, including:

  • The federal corporate tax rate
  • The small business deduction tax rate

Deductions and Credits for Contractors

Finally, we will examine:

  • The deductions and credits available for contractors
  • How they differ from employees
  • A few examples to illustrate the tax implications for both employees and contractors

Course Outcome

By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the tax implications for businesses hiring employees and contractors. You will also learn how to navigate the complex world of employment contracts and business relationships, enabling you to make informed decisions that benefit your business.

Topics Include

  • Employee vs Contractor Definitions
  • Factors Determining Employee vs Contractor Designation
  • Tax Implications for Businesses Hiring Employees
  • Tax Implications for Businesses Hiring Contractors
  • Form T5018 and Tax Implications
  • Incorporated vs. Unincorporated Businesses
  • GST/HST Registration and Collection
  • Tax Rates for Incorporated and Unincorporated Businesses
  • Considerations for Incorporation
  • GST/HST and Incorporated vs. Unincorporated Businesses
  • Deductions and Credits for Contractors and Differences from Employees
  • Case Studies
  • Misclassification

Your Instructors

Ramesh Shah, CPA, CMA
Ramesh Shah, CPA, CMA

Professor | Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management

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star303 reviews

Ramesh Shah has been a member of the faculty in the Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management at George Brown College since January 2013. Professor Shah teaches in the Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) and Diploma Programs. Prior to joining George Brown College, he held senior positions at Canada Revenue Agency. Professor Shah is a highly regarded accounting professional and passionate educator. Drawing on his extensive professional and academic experience, Professor Shah specializes in accounting and financial management of businesses in construction. As a construction business accounting professor, he inspires and motivates students to apply both hard and soft skills to solve real-life challenges in the construction industry. Professor Shah is accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario as a Chartered Professional Accountant. ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS M.B.A., University of Washington, 1972 B.A., Business Administration, University of Washington, 1970 B.Com., M.S. University of Baroda, 1969 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Construction Accounting Project Accounting   AREAS OF EXPERTISE General Accounting Cost Accounting Financial Management Auditing Income Taxation GST/HST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2013-Present – Professor, George Brown College 1986-2012 – Held various positions in the Audit Division, Canada Revenue Agency 1985-1990 – Teaching Accounting, Centennial College 1984-1986 – Accounting Manager, Abinger Investment Properties Inc. 1980-1982 – Tax Auditor, Revenue Canada 1974-1980 – Accountant, Carswell Company Limited OTHER ACTIVITIES Accredited Member – Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario

Nicole Pettes
Nicole Pettes

PODCAST HOST | LEARNFORMULA

Nicole Pettes is a highly experienced podcast host known for her engaging interview style and ability to draw out the best in her guests. She has hosted a diverse range of podcasts and video interviews that explore a wide variety of topics. Currently, Nicole is a Video Podcast Host with Learn Formula, where she contributes to their professional education series. She also hosts the Anxious & Ambitious podcast, which explores personal growth and mental health, and co-hosts the Podcast Guesting For Profit, which helps entrepreneurs and podcasters succeed as podcast guests.

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

4.4
Student's Choice
303 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.