PlumBookkeeping · Edmonton

The Plum blog

Bookkeeping, explained plainly.

Straight answers on GST, tax instalments, deductions and clean books for Edmonton realtors, brokers, consultants, practitioners, salons, trades and makers.

Trainers & StudiosFitness studio bookkeeping in Edmonton for yoga and PilatesMemberships, class packs, intro offers and instructor pay: how Edmonton yoga, Pilates and boutique fitness studios can run books that show what they've really earned.6 min read →Salons & BarbersSalon bookkeeping in Edmonton: payouts, tips and chair rentHow Edmonton salon owners can make Square or Fresha payouts match their sales, handle tips cleanly, and run books for both chair renters and commission stylists.6 min read →RealtorsRealtor vehicle expenses: the CRA log that holds upYour car is probably your biggest write-off. Here's how to log it properly, use the three-month sample rule to save time, and avoid the commuting trap.7 min read →RealtorsRealtor tax deductions in Alberta: the full checklistWhat an Alberta real estate agent can write off, what CRA pushes back on, and a tap-through checklist to make sure nothing gets left on the table at tax time.7 min read →RealtorsGST on real estate commission in Edmonton: splits and referralsWho charges GST on a commission, what happens when it's split between brokerages and agents, and how to handle referral fees without overpaying or under-remitting.7 min read →RealtorsReal estate team bookkeeping in Edmonton: splits, staff and shared costsRunning a team turns one agent's books into a small business's books. Here's how Edmonton team leads keep splits, assistants and shared marketing organised.7 min read →GST & TaxTax instalments for self-employed Albertans, without the guesswork.If you owed CRA more than $3,000 at tax time, quarterly instalments are probably coming your way. Here's who has to pay, how much, and when.7 min read →Health PractitionersPhysiotherapy clinic bookkeeping in Edmonton, without the messHow Edmonton physio clinics can match Jane deposits to real revenue, record associate splits properly, and stay on the right side of GST.7 min read →Trainers & StudiosPersonal trainer bookkeeping in Edmonton for independent trainersIf you rent space at a gym and run your own clients, you're a business. Here's how to handle session packages, GST, deductions and tax as an Edmonton trainer.6 min read →Mortgage & InsuranceMortgage broker bookkeeping in Edmonton, without the guessworkLender payouts, brokerage splits, renewals and clawbacks, plus the GST exemption that changes how you record every expense. A plain-English guide for Edmonton brokers and agents.7 min read →Mortgage & InsuranceMortgage agent taxes in Alberta: what to set aside and when to payNo tax comes off your commissions, so April can hurt. Here's how Alberta mortgage agents set money aside, handle instalments and lower the bill legitimately.7 min read →Health PractitionersMassage therapist GST in Alberta: why it's different hereMassage therapy is GST-exempt in some provinces but often taxable in Alberta. Here's what that means for Edmonton RMTs, plus the deductions worth claiming.6 min read →Mortgage & InsuranceInsurance broker bookkeeping in Edmonton: commissions, renewals and GSTNew business, renewals, chargebacks and a GST exemption that changes how you record costs. A practical guide for independent insurance brokers and agents around Edmonton.7 min read →RealtorsHome inspector bookkeeping in Edmonton: jobs, GST and gearHome inspectors, appraisers and stagers live on per-job income, a lot of driving and expensive equipment. Here's how to keep each of those organised and claimed properly.7 min read →Salons & BarbersChair rental stylist taxes in Alberta: your own boss, your own booksRenting a chair makes you self-employed. Here's what that means for GST, deductions, CPP and deadlines if you're a booth renter in Edmonton or nearby.6 min read →GST & TaxDo I need to register for GST? The $30,000 rule, explained.When Edmonton freelancers, practitioners, salons and makers have to start charging GST, how the four-quarter test works, and what to do the day you cross it.7 min read →Mortgage & InsuranceFinancial advisor bookkeeping in Edmonton: fees vs commissionsIndependent advisors often earn a mix of commissions, trailers and fees, and they're not all treated the same way for GST. Here's how to keep the books straight.7 min read →Salons & BarbersLash and nail tech bookkeeping in Edmonton, made simpleFor estheticians, lash artists and nail techs working from a studio suite or a home studio around Edmonton: what to track, what to deduct and when GST kicks in.6 min read →Health PractitionersPsychologist bookkeeping in Edmonton for private practiceA plain-English guide for Edmonton psychologists and counsellors in private practice: exempt services, insurance billing, home office claims and a simple monthly routine.6 min read →TradesContractor bookkeeping in Edmonton, job by job.How Edmonton trades and renovators can see which jobs actually make money, track holdbacks properly, and stay on top of WCB, GST and T5018 slips.7 min read →ConsultantsBookkeeping for consultants in Edmonton: corporate books made simple.You incorporated so you could focus on the work. Here's how to run the corporate side, from invoices and GST to a calm year-end, in a few hours a month.7 min read →RealtorsBookkeeping for Edmonton realtors: keep more of every commission.Commission splits, GST, tax instalments and the deductions agents miss, with a free commission calculator.9 min read →Salons & BarbersBarbershop bookkeeping in Edmonton: cash, cards and crewA practical guide for Edmonton barbershop owners on cash handling, card payouts, tips, retail product sales and paying your barbers properly.6 min read →TradesT5018 slips in Alberta, minus the panic.Who has to report payments to subcontractors, what to collect from each sub on day one, and how to make T5018 season a short afternoon instead of a lost week.6 min read →GST & TaxSelf-employed tax deductions in Alberta: the big list.Every legitimate business expense you claim lowers your income tax and CPP. Here's what Alberta sole proprietors can deduct, what they can't, and a checklist to work through.8 min read →ConsultantsSalary vs dividends in Alberta: how to pay yourself from your corporation.Two ways to move money from your company to you, each with its own paperwork and trade-offs. Here's how they compare, and what your books need either way.7 min read →GST & TaxThe home office deduction, worked out for self-employed Canadians.If you run your business from home, part of your rent or mortgage interest, utilities and insurance can be a business expense. Here's how to qualify and how to calculate it.7 min read →TradesWCB Alberta for small business, in plain English.When Edmonton-area businesses need WCB coverage, how premiums actually work, why clearance letters matter, and how to handle it all in your bookkeeping.6 min read →ConsultantsOil and gas contractor bookkeeping in Edmonton: day rates to year-end.Independent oilfield consultants earn well and spend weeks away from a desk. Here's a bookkeeping setup that survives rotations, net-60 terms and spring breakup.7 min read →GST & TaxGST filing deadlines in Alberta, sorted by filer type.When your GST return is due depends on how often you file and how your business is set up. Here's the full picture, including the one deadline that trips up sole proprietors.7 min read →GST & TaxYour Square deposits don't match your sales. Here's why.The number in your Square dashboard and the number that lands in your bank are almost never the same. That's normal. Here's what's in the gap and how to book it correctly.7 min read →TradesLandscaping bookkeeping in Edmonton, for both seasons.How Edmonton landscapers and snow removal crews can smooth out uneven cash flow, handle equipment the right way, and stay on top of GST all year.7 min read →ConsultantsShould I incorporate in Alberta? The honest pros and cons.Incorporating can save real money, or just add paperwork. Here's how to tell which one it'll be for you, without the sales pitch.7 min read →Edmonton BusinessCatch-up bookkeeping in Edmonton: behind is fixable.Whether it's three months or three years, getting your books current follows the same steps. Here's what to gather, how long it takes, and what CRA actually cares about.7 min read →ConsultantsIT contractor bookkeeping in Edmonton: agencies, slips and US clients.Developers, data people and engineers billing through agencies or straight to clients have a few extra moving parts. Here's how to handle each one.7 min read →TradesCleaning business bookkeeping in Edmonton, spotless and simple.A practical guide for Edmonton house cleaners and small cleaning crews: recurring clients, supplies, driving between homes, GST and the basics of hiring help.7 min read →Edmonton BusinessHow much does a bookkeeper cost in Edmonton? A straight answer.Bookkeeping prices vary a lot, and most firms make you call to find out. Here's what drives the cost, how flat fees compare to hourly billing, and exactly what we charge.7 min read →Tattoo ArtistsTattoo artist bookkeeping in Edmonton, minus the headache.How Edmonton tattoo artists who rent a chair can track Square payouts, booking deposits, supplies and tax money so April never stings.7 min read →Edmonton BusinessSwitching bookkeepers in Edmonton, without the gap.Changing bookkeepers feels risky, but a good handover takes a few weeks and nothing falls through the cracks. Here's what to ask for, when to switch, and what the new bookkeeper should check.6 min read →Freelancers & OnlineFreelancer bookkeeping in Edmonton: a simple system that works.You became a freelancer to do the work, not wrestle spreadsheets. Here's a setup for designers, writers and developers that takes about an hour a month.6 min read →Edmonton BusinessThe monthly bookkeeping checklist for Alberta small businesses.An hour or two at the end of each month saves days of panic in April. Here's the month-end routine we follow for clients, written so you can do it yourself.7 min read →Freelancers & OnlineCharging GST to US clients: zero-rating and US dollars, explained.Most services you sell to American businesses carry 0% GST, but not all of them, and the US dollars need careful handling too. Here's the general picture.7 min read →Tattoo ArtistsTattoo shop taxes in Alberta, sorted.For Edmonton-area shop owners: how chair renters and employees change your taxes, where GST applies, and the records that protect you if CRA ever asks.7 min read →Freelancers & OnlineOnline coach bookkeeping in Edmonton: Stripe payouts, refunds and GST.Course sales, payment plans and memberships run through platforms that pay you net of fees. Here's how to turn those payouts into books that actually make sense.7 min read →Etsy & HandmadeEtsy seller taxes in Canada, decoded.How Canadian Etsy sellers should read their payouts, claim every fee, tell a hobby from a business and know when GST kicks in. Written for sellers in Edmonton and beyond.7 min read →Freelancers & OnlinePhotographer bookkeeping in Edmonton: deposits, gear and getting paid.Wedding retainers booked a year out, real estate shoots billed by the dozen, and a camera bag worth more than your car. Here's how to make the books match the business.7 min read →Etsy & HandmadeHandmade business bookkeeping in Edmonton, market to online.For Edmonton makers who sell at farmers markets, craft fairs and online: how to handle inventory, cost of goods sold, Square sales at your table and GST.7 min read →

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