01-17-2025 04:54 AM - edited 01-17-2025 04:55 AM
01-17-2025 07:31 AM
I would advise all sellers to be very weary of Revenue Canada and selling anything on E-Bay, if Revenue Canada intends to include all of your E-Bay sales as income then there will be a whole lot of trouble ahead. You should save all of your postage and letter, package costs as well as the cost of the item you are selling in case Revenue canada comes after you down the road.
01-17-2025 08:47 AM - edited 01-17-2025 08:49 AM
@canoltrail wrote:I would advise all sellers to be very weary of Revenue Canada and selling anything on E-Bay, if Revenue Canada intends to include all of your E-Bay sales as income then there will be a whole lot of trouble ahead. You should save all of your postage and letter, package costs as well as the cost of the item you are selling in case Revenue canada comes after you down the road.
All Sales are income. I gave my SIN years ago, and so should everyone else. Otherwise, you cannot sell on any platform, app, or site and will then be in the direct sights of the CRA if you try to do so.
They are going after every weed in the country, all the G5 are, this was planned years ago and set for activation in 2025
...that includes all the temporary immigrants and illegal workers who use these apps to make a HIDDEN income stream while they are here using our social services.
New rules require platforms to report Canadian gig workers' details and earnings –
H&R Block research indicates significant portion of gig workers could be exposed to risks by not declaring all income
CALGARY, AB, Dec. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - If you're a driver, blog writer, selling crafts on Etsy, renting out a room through Airbnb, or earning income through another type of online platform, it's critical to understand how to comply with new tax-related measures. In 2024, new legislation (called Bill C-47) came into effect, which requires gig platforms (websites and apps you use to earn income to do freelance or contract work) to share certain information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on your behalf.
This new legislation serves to address concerns among tax authorities that tax obligations are not being accurately calculated by digital platforms and that gig workers full income isn't always visible to tax administrators. Gig platform operators are now required to file an 'information return' with the CRA, which includes sharing mandatory user identifying and income-related information for all Canadian gig workers using their platform no later than January 31, 2025.
"H&R Block research indicates that in 2024 around 9 million (28%) Canadians reported being part of the gig economy, of which 32% said they were willing to risk not declaring 'any' income and 43% are willing to risk not declaring 'all' income in an attempt to pay less in taxes," said Yannick Lemay, Tax Expert, H&R Block Canada. "Not declaring all income carries significant risks and is effectively breaking the law. The new reporting rules for gig platforms require operators to provide identifiable information on their users and their related income to the CRA. If these reported amounts are not aligned with what gig workers declare through their tax filing, it could create significant red flags with the tax authority and lead to potential financial penalties. It's imperative that Canadian gig workers understand and are compliant with the new reporting requirements through Bill C-47. With the CRA's looming deadline of January 31, 2025, now is the time to act to avoid potential financial penalties."
Key Considerations Around Bill C-47 for Canadian Gig Workers:
"Maintaining meticulous records is imperative for gig workers to track your income closely and ensure that what the platform operator reports to the CRA aligns with your own records, noting all related expenses," said Lemay. "The good news is there are a multitude of tax benefits and credits that gig workers are entitled to, which can help maximize their refund and lower their taxes overall. While the range of expenses you can claim depends on the type of gig work you are engaged with, they can include travel, auto-related, software subscriptions, home office expenses, mobile phone and internet bills, shipping, entertaining and interest or bank charges on business loans, to name just a few."
01-17-2025 08:47 AM
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cra-tax-gig-uber-ebay
Whether you drive for ride-sharing apps or sell items online, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has implemented changes that will affect you, and they apply this month.
According to the CRA, “The gig economy generally refers to services provided through short-term contracts, freelance work, or other temporary work that is arranged through an online platform or mobile application.”
Some common platforms include Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, and Fiverr, while common services can consist of web development, business consulting services, and writing and translation services.
New legislation came into effect last year, making it mandatory for digital platform operators to report gig workers’ information to the CRA.
“This new legislation serves to address concerns among tax authorities that tax obligations are not being accurately calculated by digital platforms and that gig workers’ full income isn’t always visible to tax administrators,” states a December 2024 release from tax preparation company H&R Block.
This means gig platform operators such as Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, Airbnb, Vrbo, and Uber must provide workers’ income-related information by January 31, 2025.
So, what kind of information will be sent to the CRA?
Platform operators must share workers’ full names, dates of birth, primary addresses, and tax identification numbers (TINs). For most Canadians, TINs are their nine-digit social insurance numbers (SIN). In turn, companies must also provide users with a copy of information shared with the CRA.
Research by H&R Block revealed that in 2024, nine million Canadians (28%) made money through gigs. Thirty-two percent of them said they were willing to risk not declaring “any” income, and 43% said that they were willing to risk not declaring “all” income so they could pay less in taxes.
Yannick Lemay, a tax expert at H&R Block Canada, warned that doing so comes with “significant risks” and is “effectively breaking the law.”
“The new reporting rules for gig platforms require operators to provide identifiable information on their users and their related income to the CRA,” he said.
“If these reported amounts are not aligned with what gig workers declare through their tax filing, it could create significant red flags with the tax authority and lead to potential financial penalties.”
01-17-2025 08:53 AM
Taxes and the platform economy
The gig economy generally refers to services provided through short-term contracts, freelance work, or other temporary work that is arranged through an online platform or mobile application.
In the gig economy, gig workers operate as independent contractors and freelancers. Common platforms used in the gig economy may include, but are not limited to:
Contracted services can range from a micro-task (a small task set up through the Internet) to specialized services. Contracted services can include tasks such as:
Depending on the gig, workers may do the work from remote locations. Online platforms and mobile applications can connect consumers and businesses with gig workers from all over the world.
Gig workers who are resident in Canada must report and pay tax on all self-employment income by completing line 26000 of their income tax and benefit return, as well as Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities.
This applies to all income, including income earned from business done outside of Canada.
Gig workers who are not resident in Canada are subject to Canadian income tax on most Canadian-sourced income paid or credited to them during the year unless all or part of that income is exempt under a tax treaty. More information on non-residents is available at Non-Residents and Income Tax - Canada.ca.
Taxes paid on foreign income by Canadian residents could be eligible for a tax credit.
If you paid income tax to more than one country and the total foreign income taxes paid to all countries was more than $200, a separate calculation is required for each country for which you claim a foreign tax credit.
You can claim eligible expenses associated with income you earned through the gig economy.
To claim expenses, you have to keep proper financial records.
Examples of eligible expenses include:
For more information on what qualifies as an eligible business expense on your income tax and benefit return, see Business expenses.
Generally, if you earn more than $30,000 over four calendar quarters by supplying taxable goods or services, you have to register for, collect, and remit (send) the related goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) to the Canada Revenue Agency.
The requirement to register for, collect, and send GST/HST for your sales and services depends on:
You may choose to register for and collect the GST/HST even if you earn less than $30,000. This lets you take advantage of the related input tax credits (ITCs). These credits are prorated in the same way as expenses that are deducted for income tax. For information, see “Find out if you are eligible to claims ITCs” on Input Tax Credits.
If you have taxable sales from both ridesharing services and gig economy contracts, and the total is less than $30,000 over four calendar quarters, you have to register for, collect and remit GST/HST only on the ridesharing services. However, you may choose to also collect and remit GST/HST on your gig economy contracts. If the total taxable sales are more than $30,000 over four calendar quarters, you must collect and remit (send) the GST/HST to the CRA on both services.
When to register for and start charging GST/HST
General Information for GST/HST Registrants
If you are registered for the GST/HST, you may be eligible to claim Input tax credits for the GST/HST paid on purchases and expenses related to your commercial activities.
Generally, you can claim an input tax credit (ITCs) only when you have paid GST/HST (or it is payable) on expenses for your business activities. A tax professional can advise you on your tax obligations.
Keep track of your income and your expenses, including sales you make to buyers in Canada and other countries.
Depending on the extent of your participation in the platform economy, additional tax considerations may apply. For more information, refer to General Information for GST/HST Registrants - Canada.ca.
01-17-2025 09:14 AM
I am already declaring to CRA, under my accountant's advice. Event hough I am below the threshold. Peace of mind.
01-17-2025 09:24 AM - edited 01-17-2025 09:26 AM
@canoltrail wrote:
I would advise all sellers to be very wary of Revenue Canada and selling anything on E-Bay, if Revenue Canada intends to include all of your E-Bay sales as income then there will be a whole lot of trouble ahead.
It's not a matter of "if Revenue Canada intends." eBay sales have been considered income since day one. The difference now is that eBay is obligated to compile reports and send them to sellers using the site.
When my wife and I sold on eBay in the late 90s, early 00s, we were advised by a friend who's a financial planner that we should be reporting our income on our tax returns. The first year we did it, we noted our gross income under "other income" and described it as "eBay." The following year, along with the usual T4 General that my wife got in the mail, we got some forms related to business activities and we modified our reporting to conform to the standards that CRA wanted.
The way I understand the SIN requirement is that if you are using a service for the purpose of or that generates taxable income, that service is allowed to ask you for your SIN so that any documentation they send to you will match up in paper and electronically with the information you're noting on your tax return. Keep in mind that the income information that eBay will be providing to you will likely also be given to CRA and stored electronically, the way that it is for, say, T4s and T5s.
I am not an accountant, financial advisor or planner, or anything along those lines by any stretch. This post should be considered information given by a layperson to the best of his abilities, not advice.
01-17-2025 10:08 AM
I don't remember if I gave eBay my SIN back in 2005 but I have always included my eBay earnings from both my IDs when paying my taxes. I don't understand why we even need to discuss this.
01-17-2025 10:13 AM - edited 01-17-2025 10:14 AM
@msmaggie060 wrote:I don't remember if I gave eBay my SIN back in 2005 but I have always included my eBay earnings from both my IDs when paying my taxes. I don't understand why we even need to discuss this.
Why ? This is why...
"Research by H&R Block revealed that in 2024, nine million Canadians (28%) made money through gigs. Thirty-two percent of them said they were willing to risk not declaring “any” income, and 43% said that they were willing to risk not declaring “all” income so they could pay less in taxes."
that does not include all the temporary immigrants and illegal workers who use these apps to make a HIDDEN income stream while they are here using and getting access to our social services and institutions.
And, this is just one reason why Bill C-47 was put in place...
All Sales are income. I gave my SIN years ago, and so should everyone else. Otherwise, you will no longer be able to sell on any platform, app, or site and will then be in the direct sights of the CRA if you try to do so.
They are going after every weed in the country, all the G5 are, this was planned years ago and set for activation in 2025.
And do not forget Automatic Tax Returns are also on the way this year for the lowest tax bracket, so keep your receipts and expenses!
01-17-2025 10:24 AM
I would have said that I gave it to them years ago too, but apparently I didn't, they have it now.
I've been declaring the income since I was 16..... oh to be back in those days.......
01-17-2025 10:27 AM
Time for me to say Bu-Bye
01-17-2025 10:40 AM
@ricarmic wrote:I would have said that I gave it to them years ago too, but apparently I didn't, they have it now.
I've been declaring the income since I was 16..... oh to be back in those days.......
16......Wasaga beach and driving on the sand in my turquoise Nash Metropolitan ...convertible of course! Those were the days!
01-17-2025 10:42 AM - edited 01-17-2025 10:46 AM
I used my Sin when asked by eBay back in 2015'ish and its in my account info on file since then and I also used it for Managed Payments when I registered for that hook.
I also got my SIN and first "work" when I was 16 all those decades ago, lol.
The way I see it, this now evens the "playing" field for everyone, it will weed out the "scammers" as well...
01-17-2025 11:17 AM
Aside of those sellers who have their own security concerns & reasons for not providing their SI#, many of the sellers who won't provide that SI #are also those sellers who don't want the CRA to know about their eBay "income".
01-17-2025 11:59 AM - edited 01-17-2025 12:06 PM
@baby.g33 wrote:
If you can, comment on what you actually plan to do and why.
Im hoping for responses from people who have received the memo or know they are about to.
Just making sure I am sticking with the latest advice that is generally agreed upon within this group.
thank you
I started declaring income as of 2023, the first year of my sales on eBay. No reason for me not to do it.
If I were you, I would not stick to any advice given here. Consult with a qualified accountant. That's why I did. And that's my advice to you.
01-17-2025 12:06 PM - edited 01-17-2025 12:09 PM
Yes the eBay forums are a discussion oriented community not an advisement consul or qualified government agency...It is imperative that sellers know exactly what is required of them by CRA and know how to accommodate those requirements by advisement from the approprate channels>accountants, CRA, and/or other related government agencies.
01-17-2025 01:51 PM
You can voluntarily give your SIN to anyone.
You are required to file for taxes on ALL income.
The SIN is how Revenue Canada coallates all your information.
You are required to file for taxes on ALL income.
If your income is under $55K, your tax bracket is 15%.
You are required to file for taxes on ALL income.
You have roughly $17,000 in deductibles without even stretching.
You are required to file for taxes on ALL income.
https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/learn/tax-brackets-canada
You pay ~20% on income between $55K and $110K.
You are required to file for taxes on ALL income.
01-17-2025 07:09 PM
They've had my SIN since I signed up for managed payments. Didn't even think twice - they asked for it and I gave it to them. I also report my income on my tax returns so I'm not too concerned about any of this.
I'm actually happy about this as it comes with the benefit of decreased competition from other sellers that will leave the platform instead of provide their SIN.
01-17-2025 08:01 PM - edited 01-17-2025 08:01 PM
Oh yeah, this will separate the chaff from the wheat to be sure...and when all the shakin' is done, there may be a little less competition in specific categories...
01-18-2025 10:34 AM
I suspect we will see the rapid departure of a few members on eBay. As you said, a few categories will benefit greatly from data "harvest"
GOOD THING should have been done years ago...