Income from six platforms, one return.
Tax, bookkeeping and cross-border advice for creators, streamers and influencers, from a chartered accountant who understands US-source income and gifted product.
Untaxed income from everywhere at once.
Creator income arrives from platforms, brands and affiliates, mostly with no tax withheld and often from the United States. It is self-employment income, and it comes with instalments, GST/HST and record-keeping obligations attached.
We set the structure up so the tax is planned rather than discovered, and the US withholding is handled through the treaty instead of written off.
What these businesses actually need.
Personal return
Self-employment income across platforms and brands, with expenses claimed properly and instalments set.
US-source income
W-8BEN treaty positions, US withholding recovered, and any US filing obligation assessed.
Income and expenses
Platform payouts, brand deals and affiliate income tracked, with equipment and home studio costs recorded.
GST/HST
Registration when you pass the threshold, with the rules on services to non-resident clients applied correctly.
The issues that come up most.
US withholding
Platforms withhold US tax on some income. The Canada-US treaty usually reduces the rate to zero or near it, but only if the paperwork was filed first.
Gifted product and barter
Product received in exchange for content is generally taxable income at fair market value. It is the most commonly missed item in this sector.
Business versus hobby
Once it is a business, expenses become claimable and obligations attach. Establishing when that line was crossed matters for both.
Three steps, no surprises.
Get the income mapped
Every platform, brand and affiliate source identified, including US-source amounts and withholding.
Set up the structure
Registrations, treaty forms, expense tracking and a tax reserve from each payment.
File and plan
Return filed with instalments set, and incorporation assessed if the income supports it.
The ones we get asked most.
Is my creator income taxable?
Yes, including brand deals, affiliate revenue, tips and platform payouts, whether or not a slip was issued.
Is gifted product taxable?
Generally yes, at fair market value, when it is received in exchange for content or promotion. Unsolicited product with no obligation attached is treated differently.
Why is a platform withholding US tax?
US-source income is subject to withholding unless a treaty form is on file. Filing a W-8BEN usually reduces the rate substantially, and past withholding can sometimes be recovered.
What can I write off?
Equipment, software, a reasonable portion of home studio costs, travel where it is genuinely for work, and platform fees. Personal items dressed as content costs do not survive a review.
Should I incorporate?
Once income is consistently more than you spend personally, incorporation defers tax on the difference. Below that it usually adds cost without benefit.
Licensed, certified, and accountable for it.
The bodies that license this practice, and the certifications behind the day-to-day work.
CPA Ontario
The provincial body that regulates Chartered Professional Accountants in Ontario.
EFILE certified
Certified by the Canada Revenue Agency to file returns electronically on behalf of clients.
Intuit ProAdvisor
Intuit certification covering QuickBooks Online setup, reconciliation and reporting.
QuickBooks Payroll
Intuit certification for running payroll, deductions and remittances inside QuickBooks.
In their words.
Aaron has done my personal taxes for six years and he’s the best. My files are sometimes complicated and I was not always the most organized client, yet he handles all of it without ever making me feel bad about the mess. He’s fast, he explains everything in plain English, and he always finds credits I would have missed.Shmuel Neft
Working with Aaron and his team, especially Anna, has been fantastic for both our camp operations and Prime Coat Painters. From complex contractor billings to seasonal accounts and corporate taxes, they handle everything with real attention to detail. If you need a reliable, top-tier accounting team for your business, I can’t recommend Aaron Herman CPA highly enough!Tzadi Zlotnick, Prime Coat Painters Inc.
I use him for personal and business accounting. He is absolutely phenomenal with his work and expertise. Thorough, reliable, dependable, and punctual with due dates. I’ve worked with many accountants previously and Aaron surpassed them all in everything on my list.Elior Zipori, Zipori Landscapes & Design
We have been using Aaron Herman CPA for about four years now and we are very happy with their services. Anna is especially great to work with. She is on the ball, always up to date, and gets back to you right away with any questions or concerns.Reuven Durbach
Very happy with Aaron’s service. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Very patient with all my questions, ready to answer and be with the client within a short period of time. All the accounting service is done in a timely manner.Artem Artemov, Rimland
Aaron is excellent! He responds quickly, explains everything clearly, and makes the whole tax process easy and stress-free. He is very knowledgeable and always helps find the best way to get everything done properly.Mai Edry
Aaron is an amazing accountant! He is very supportive and great at explaining the ins and outs of what was needed when expanding my business. I highly recommend Aaron and his team!Leah Lomiansky, Speech Volumes Therapy
He is knowledgeable, thorough and effective. He is very responsive and takes great care of his clients. I highly recommend him and his services!Rachel Danzinger, Learning Pods
Absolutely love Aaron and Anna. They are fantastic to work with, go above and beyond, and their communication and dedication is unsurpassed.Fat Cat Cookie Co.
Two people. Trusted with your year.
Aaron Herman
CPA, CA · Founder and Managing Partner
Aaron planned and prepared tax in public practice, then led financial reporting inside large Canadian companies. He is the person who answers when you call.
My number one priority is a happy client.
Anna Herman
Director of Finance and Operations
Anna runs the machinery behind the work: cloud accounting, CRA compliance, payroll and client onboarding. If your year-end is uneventful, that is Anna.
Order creates opportunity.
Tell us where your year stands.
Send the form and Aaron will come back to you directly. If it is easier, call. Someone here answers.