If you're a Canadian YouTuber and haven’t registered for GST/HST or aren’t sure how to file your AdSense income… you're probably leaving free money on the table (or setting yourself up for a painful audit).
And yes, I’ve seen it happen. I’m a CPA based in Ottawa, I’ve worked at the CRA, and I now work directly with YouTubers across Canada who want to stop guessing and start getting their taxes right.
This is the most common line I hear and it's not wrong. But here's the catch:
Even if you're under the $30,000 GST/HST threshold, you're still expected to understand how the tax laws work around AdSense and online content creation.
Even Reddit is full of Canadians who’ve been:
If they had a local CPA who knew this stuff, none of this would be happening.
1. GST/HST registration might still be worth it even if you're under $30K.
Why? Because once you're registered, you can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) on your business expenses like equipment, internet, or editing software.
2. YouTube/AdSense income is usually zero-rated.
Yes, YouTube is a U.S. company, and generally speaking, that income is zero-rated for GST/HST purposes. But CRA doesn’t just take your word for it they expect documentation.
3. You might be dealing with auditors who don’t understand your business model.
Several YouTubers on Reddit have shared stories about dealing with CRA agents who confuse where the service was performed with where the viewer is located. That leads to CRA trying to assess GST on revenue that should’ve been zero-rated.
4. If you cross the $30K revenue line even if it’s all zero-rated, you must register for GST/HST.
CRA doesn’t care that you’re not charging tax. They care that you registered. That’s the law.
5. CRA has issued public guidance and most people don’t even know it exists.
Here’s their page on social media influencers.
Spoiler: Yes, you need to report YouTube income. Yes, it counts as self-employment. No, you can’t just file it as “other income” forever.
One YouTuber on Reddit shared that CRA tried to charge back taxes on his U.S. AdSense income, claiming he failed to charge GST/HST to Google. He had to fight it hard (multiple audits, multiple letters, and even discussions about going to tax court).
Why? Because the auditor didn't understand that the YouTuber's content is a zero-rated export of a service.
Another YouTuber said it best:
“If I had a proper accountant from the beginning, I wouldn’t be fighting this now.”
I’m a CPA in Ottawa who works with Canadian YouTubers. I’ve filed returns for content creators with channels both big and small. And I used to work at the CRA, so I know how their review processes work and how to defend you when they don’t.
I help YouTubers with:
If not, it’s time to get a CPA who does this all the time.
I'm Lucas Ghosn, a CPA based in Ottawa, and I work with Canadian YouTubers who need help keeping their taxes organized. I’ll handle the CRA, help you register properly, and make sure you’re not missing out on what’s yours.
Helpful Links for Creators:
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not take into account your personal situation and is not intended to be used without a specific consultation. Lucas CPA Professional Corporation will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.
