The first 90 days establish the habits and systems that make everything easier for years after. Here is a day-by-day, then week-by-week action plan for newcomers who plan to freelance or start a self-employed business in Canada.
Days 1–7: Foundation
- ☐ Apply for SIN at Service Canada (same-day)
- ☐ Open personal bank account if needed
- ☐ Open a business bank account: EQ Bank Business or Wealthsimple Business (no monthly fee, no credit check)
- ☐ Set up Interac Autodeposit on your business bank account
- ☐ Confirm your immigration status permits self-employment (if unclear, consult an immigration lawyer)
Days 8–14: Business Setup
- ☐ Decide on business name — legal name (no registration) or trade name (register provincially)
- ☐ If using a trade name: register at your provincial business registry ($40–$70)
- ☐ Open accounting software: Wave (free), FreshBooks (~$19/month), or QuickBooks Online (~$28/month)
- ☐ Configure GST/HST rate for your province in the software
- ☐ Create invoice template with your name, address, payment instructions
- ☐ If serving international clients: open Wise Business account ($55 one-time)
- ☐ Open a dedicated tax savings account (savings account or sub-account at your bank)
Days 15–30: First Operations
- ☐ Issue your first invoice
- ☐ Upon first payment: transfer 25–30% to your tax savings account immediately
- ☐ Record all income and business expenses in your accounting software
- ☐ Photograph all receipts immediately; file digitally by month and category
- ☐ If using your vehicle for business: start your mileage logbook now, not later
Days 30–60: Tax Setup
- ☐ Register for a CRA My Account at canada.ca (newcomers may need a paper registration form in year 1)
- ☐ Register for a CRA Business Number (BN) through BRO portal — free, online only
- ☐ Monitor your four-quarter revenue against the $30,000 GST/HST threshold
- ☐ If you expect to reach $30,000 quickly, register for GST/HST voluntarily to start claiming ITCs immediately
- ☐ Understand your tax deadlines: pay by April 30, file by June 15
- ☐ Consider consulting a CPA for your first Canadian return if your situation is complex (foreign income, assets from home country, treaty considerations)
Days 60–90: Revenue and Growth
- ☐ Review your year-to-date revenue and tax savings account balance
- ☐ Confirm accounting software is reconciled for all months so far
- ☐ If you have foreign income: document exchange rates used for each payment (Bank of Canada rates at bankofcanada.ca)
- ☐ Evaluate: is your hourly rate sufficient once you account for Canadian taxes, CPP, and lack of employee benefits?
- ☐ Begin building your CRA correspondence address and filing history — this is the start of your Canadian tax record
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single most important thing to do in the first 90 days?
Get your SIN and open a dedicated business bank account. Everything else can be set up in the first month, but without a SIN and business banking, you cannot function professionally in Canada. These two steps unlock every other tool and registration.
What should I know about Canadian clients before I start?
Three things: Interac e-Transfer is how they pay; they expect invoices by email (not postal); and they generally expect GST/HST to be displayed on invoices if you are registered, or absent if you are not (a “small supplier”). Do not charge GST/HST before registering — it is a CRA account obligation, not something you can collect informally.
How do I build credit in Canada as a newcomer?
Open a secured credit card (available from most major banks for newcomers without credit history, requiring a deposit). Use it for small business purchases and pay it in full monthly. After 6–12 months of on-time payments, apply for a standard card. Canadian credit scores from Equifax and TransUnion are built based on Canadian credit activity only — your home country credit history does not transfer.