The ideal accountant for your tax needs

Taxation goes beyond the annual tax return: it's the art of structuring your business to pay the correct amount of tax, legally. Choosing between salary and dividends, setting up a management company, properly splitting income, planning a sale or business transfer: this strategic approach allows you to save money year after year.

With Bankeo, you can find the ideal accountant for this strategic role, free of charge: the right match, someone who understands your objectives, not just a number. We present you with as many accountants as you need and support you every step of the way, even as your needs evolve. You never pay Bankeo; the fees are paid directly to the accountant.

Some key tax points for 2026 to illustrate the implications: in Quebec, the maximum combined marginal tax rate reaches 53.31% for individuals, while a corporation eligible for the small business deduction (SBD) pays 9% federal tax on its first $500,000 of active income. The VAT rate is 5% and the sales tax rate is 9.975%, with mandatory registration for taxable sales exceeding $30,000 over four quarters. The cumulative capital gains exemption exceeds $1.25 million on eligible small business corporation shares, and income tax returns are due by April 30 (individuals) or June 15 (self-employed individuals), with the remaining tax owing on April 30.

• Annual tax planning for the manager and the company, reviewed before the end of the fiscal year
• Salary or dividend arbitrage based on your RRSP rights, QPP and your liquidity needs
• Structuring: management company, inheritance freeze, income splitting according to the rules
• Optimizing the small business deduction (SBD) and reduced federal and Quebec tax rates
• Planning the sale of a business and using the capital gains exemption;
• Succession planning and intergenerational transfer
• Coordination of VAT, advance payments and schedule for T2 and CO-17 returns
• Support during decisions with significant tax implications: property purchase, reorganization, expansion outside France

In Quebec, optimization is always done within the legal framework: making the best use of the rules of the tax administration and the tax administration; Canada without ever crossing the line. This requires a thorough understanding of tax rates, capital gains exemptions, the small business deduction, and your specific business situation. Timing is also crucial: T2 and CO-17 returns are due within six months of the fiscal year-end, but the corporate tax balance is typically paid within two to three months.

The key is to anticipate rather than react: late filing incurs a penalty of 5% of the outstanding balance to the CRA, plus 1% per full month of delay up to 12 months, in addition to interest. Preparing a transaction, choosing the right structure, and securing each decision before it becomes costly is precisely the role of the accountant found through Bankeo: they build your strategy and remain by your side to adjust it as needed.

No: taxes are about filing your returns each year; tax planning is about planning ahead to legally reduce what you pay. The ideal accountant often covers both: they prepare your returns and develop the strategy behind them.

Yes. Optimizing means using CRA and tax authority rules to your advantage, while strictly adhering to the law: it has nothing to do with fraud or tax evasion. The accountant documents and secures every decision.

Ideally, this should be done before the end of your fiscal year, not when you file your tax returns: several decisions (salary or dividends, equipment purchases, estate freezes) must be made before December 31st or the end of the fiscal year to be included in the year. For a business sale, the recommended timeframe is 24 months in advance, allowing time to prepare the company for the capital gains exemption. With Bankeo, you're matched with the ideal accountant for free, often within 48 hours.

Paying yourself dividends without a plan (and losing RRSP entitlements and QPP protection), forgetting to register for VAT once you reach the $30,000 threshold, mixing personal and business expenses, and waiting until you sell your business to think about its structure. An audited accountant from the Bankeo network can spot these blind spots before they become costly.

Bankeo matching is free for you, with no hidden fees: you only pay your accountant's fees directly to them, and you can compare proposals before deciding, with no obligation. Bankeo is financed by a fee per completed transaction from its network of accountants, a fee known in advance. For pricing benchmarks, see the Bankeo Barometer .