The4BellsLondon

ok . .so, have been looking for jobs but seem quite scarce at mo for what I do - town planning / development contro.

Am over here on a TWP on Hubbys work permit. There is the opportunity for me to "free-lance" for him consultancy wise and also do his admin etc.. but I assume I will need to set myself up as a small business type thing.

In the Uk I also taught aerobics etc and had a sep bank account for those payments, and a self employed tax number

Have looked all over the http://www.gov.bc.ca/ site and cant find the info I am looking for . . .any assistance gratefully received - ta

JonboyE

If you intend to trade with a business name, such as Commercial Drive Consulting, you should register this. If your trading name is just your own name then you don't need to.

You should get a business license, though quite a number of people don't. You might as well wait until you are in your new house.

You also need to consider GST. If your sales will be more than $30,000 a year you should register for GST.

That is it really. When you file your 2009 tax return you will need to complete the business income schedule.

The BC Government's One Stop Business Registry is at www.bcbusinessregistry.ca but I think this is beyond what you need.

The4BellsLondon

Ta Jon - but I wont be selling will I ? - oh yeah suppose I will - you mean - if I make more than $30000 then I need to register for GST - - ok - will look at link - ta

JonboyE

Yes, the $30,000 refers to the total amount you will bill your clients.

There is more information about registering for GST here.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tp.../menu-eng.html

MB-Realtor

Try this:-

http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/

The4BellsLondon

Ta Stewart

Refugee from Happyland

Join a good local networking group. Really is a very large part of business for many self-employed

mandymoochops

Caz mate whatever you do you will succeed - you have the drive the personality and the ability to do this.

Best of luck whichever way you go with it - but its a great idea as it gives you the houurs you want and the chance to get out and meet people!

Yoong

I like the BC Business magazine,for information,news and motivation.
Copies are available in the public libraries.
http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/
Good luck.
Yoong

The4BellsLondon

Ta all xxxx

Mikey B

I worked for myself for a year, put ads in paper didnt register nowt, all jobs were cash, cash is king!!!! most canadians love paying cash as no GST and they feel they get a better deal!!!

Cash rules!!

The4BellsLondon

cash is good yes - but its more so that I can bill my husbands company in the Uk for the admin and site work etc I am going to do over here!

Refugee from Happyland

Good until you want to get a loan, or expand.
Newspaper adds require a large financial commitment and using the trawler approach is poor for most businesses.
Face to face networking is where its at, especially in these challenging times.

Aviator

Great until you get caught. CRA can go back 7 years on your tax returns and further if they suspect fraud. Also if you get paid cash and don't decalre it you cannot claim expenses. If you don't keep receipts and get audited, they'll ding you on income only as you cannot prove expenditure. Is it really worth it?

Mikey B

My fellow english immigrant has lived here in Ontario for 7 years now (he is actually the reason I moved) and has his own business since moving here himself in 02, all cash and he has done just fine.

Newspaper ads cost $50 pw in Burl which from my exp was and still is a goldmine!!!! Its all about initiative however that is a lucrative commodity!