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Tax tips for the business owner

Employ your spouse and children
Whether you carry on your business personally or through a corporation, you should consider paying a salary to your spouse and/or children. Canada’s progressive tax system, which assesses higher income earners at higher tax rates, provides an incentive to split income with family members in a lower tax bracket. Paying a salary to a spouse and/or child who pays tax at a lower rate than you can create net tax savings.  But, you must ensure that the salary is reasonable for the services they perform for the business.  

Incorporate your business
If your business produces more profit than you need to satisfy your personal cash flow needs, then incorporation could produce a sizeable tax deferral benefit, however, is only available if the profits are left in the company. The longer the profits are left in the company, the larger the tax advantage. It is important to note that investment income earned on prior deferrals and rental income do not receive this lower rate. 

The tax deferral achieved through incorporation can create a permanent tax saving if the shares of the business are eventually sold and are eligible for the lifetime capital gains exemption. However, if you are incurring losses, this will not be the best option.

Other potential advantages of incorporation include having family members own shares to have access to multiple capital gains exemptions, or paying out dividends to family members who are taxed at a lower rate. Your financial advisor can help determine which strategies work with your situation.

Invest excess cash
Since the biggest bang for your tax buck is accomplished by leaving profits in the company, the question becomes what to do with those profits. If paying down debt or reinvesting in the business operations are not options, then a smart investment plan is your best alternative. This strategy is most effective for active business income subject to the small business deduction. Your financial advisor can help you build the right investment portfolio for your business.

Plan for your retirement
In order to make the maximum allowable Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution next year, you’ll need to create the contribution room this year by maximizing reported earned income. If incorporated, you will want to review the best dividend/salary mix for your situation. As part of your overall plan, you may also want to make a contribution to your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Talk to your financial advisor about achieving balance in your personal investment plan given all the variables and how it will fit with this year’s maximum contribution limits for business owners.

Don’t forget to think about RRSP contribution room when setting and reporting remuneration for services provided by family members who also work in the business.

A corporation with taxable income over the small business limit may want to explore the use of an individual pension plan (IPP). An IPP is ideally suited to business owners in their mid-forties or older who have a past history of earning employment income from their company in excess of $100,000 per year. An IPP will allow you to shelter even more earnings from tax than your RRSP while still offering some protection from creditors.

Prepare for the sale of your business
It’s never too early to plan your business exit strategy. If you’re planning on selling all or part of your business at some point, confirm with your accountant whether you’re eligible for the lifetime capital gain exemption and what steps need to be taken.

Unfortunately we can’t eliminate taxes. But we can use wise business practices to minimize or defer income taxes that would otherwise be payable. These are only a few of the tax-planning opportunities available to you as a business owner. Talk to your financial advisor about a complete tax check-up to help identify all the tax planning strategies available to you. After all, the tactics you employ today will help you reap rewards at tax time next year.

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