Familiar with BC tax structures
Vancouver businesses operate under BC's separate GST and PST framework, plus federal corporate tax. We handle both, integrated with the federal T2.
VANCOUVER
Accounting and tax planning for Vancouver businesses
Bookkeeping, corporate tax, GST/PST, and tax planning for Vancouver-based small and mid-sized businesses. We work remotely with clients across the Lower Mainland.
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Why Databooks for Vancouver businesses
Databooks Accounting offers a full range of accounting and tax services designed for small businesses and corporations in Vancouver. Our services include bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, payroll support, and GST and PST filing services. Whether you are starting a new company or managing a growing business, we help keep your finances organized and working efficiently. We focus on practical financial solutions that help businesses stay compliant, improve organization, and make confident financial decisions, with clear pricing, responsive communication, and quality support so you always know what to expect.
Industry experience that fits Vancouver's business mix
Real estate, IT and software, immigration services, hospitality, beauty and esthetics. Sectors with strong presence in Vancouver and where we have specific experience.
Service that travels with you
Whether your business is downtown, in Burnaby, or Surrey, our service runs the same way. You don't need to be near our office to work with us.
Direct communication, no jargon
We focus on plain language, clear timelines, and responses that get to the point. The goal is for you to know what's happening with your finances without needing to translate accountant-speak.
Services
Our services for Vancouver businesses
A full set of accounting and tax services, designed to work together for Vancouver-based small and mid-sized businesses.
Bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping for Vancouver businesses, with cloud accounting setup. We handle the books while you focus on running the business.
Corporate tax
Federal T2 and British Columbia corporate tax returns for Vancouver businesses, integrated and filed together.
Payroll
Bi-weekly or monthly payroll for Vancouver employers, with CPP, EI, and source deductions handled correctly from day one.
GST/HST/PST
GST and BC PST registration and filings for Vancouver businesses, with compliance for both federal and provincial sales tax.
Tax planning
Salary vs dividend mix, retained earnings strategy, and incorporation timing for owners running businesses in Vancouver.
CRA support
Reviews, audits, and CRA notices for Vancouver businesses, handled directly. We lead CRA conversations on your behalf.
Back office
AR, AP, expense management, and document organization for Vancouver businesses. Outsource the back office work and free up your time.
Personal tax
T1 personal tax returns for Vancouver residents, including incorporated business owners and self-employed contractors.
Industries
Industries we serve in Vancouver
We work with businesses across Vancouver in a range of industries. The ones below are where our experience is most concentrated.
Real estate professionals
Realtors, brokers, PRECs, real estate teams, and property managers in Vancouver, with BC-specific PREC rules and high-volume transaction patterns.
IT and software
Vancouver-based developers, software consultants, SaaS companies, and tech startups, with incorporated practice patterns and cross-border revenue considerations.
Immigration services
RCICs, immigration lawyers, and consulting firms in Vancouver with trust account compliance and retainer revenue recognition.
Hospitality services
Caterers, event planners, B&Bs, and vacation rental managers in Vancouver, with project-based revenue and seasonality considerations.
Beauty and esthetics
Salons, esthetic clinics, tattoo studios, spas, and med spas across Vancouver, with GST nuances and chair rental classification.
Not for profit
Charities, NPOs, religious organizations, foundations, and community associations based in Vancouver, with T3010 compliance and donations management.
Healthcare practitioners
Vancouver-based dentists, physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and multidisciplinary clinics, with Professional Corporation structures and TOSI considerations.
Legal practices
Solo lawyers, boutique firms, and mid-sized practices in Vancouver, with trust accounts and structure choice between sole practice, PC, and LLP.
Martial arts schools
BJJ academies, karate dojos, MMA gyms, and boxing studios across Vancouver, with their own revenue patterns and instructor classification questions.
Travel agencies and educational consultants
Travel agents, exchange program coordinators, and educational consultants in Vancouver, with commission revenue, prepaid client deposits, and provincial registration considerations.
Your accounting team
Working with an accounting team for Vancouver businesses
Vancouver businesses face a specific mix of challenges: BC's separate GST and PST framework, the high cost of operating in one of Canada's most expensive cities, and the regulatory layers around real estate that affect both investors and brokers. Working with an accounting team that understands these factors makes a real difference at year-end.
At Databooks, we work with Vancouver businesses across the Lower Mainland on bookkeeping, corporate tax, payroll, and tax planning, integrated as one service rather than separate tasks. Our clients in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and across the broader region get the same level of attention regardless of where the office is.
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Hire an accountant for your Vancouver business
Professional advice that goes beyond tax filing
An accountant's role is broader than filing taxes once a year. Decisions on incorporation, salary vs dividend mix, GST and PST registration, and how to structure family compensation all have tax consequences that compound over years. Vancouver businesses face these decisions every year as they grow, and the right advice early on saves money and avoids retroactive corrections.
Avoiding mistakes that compound
Errors are easy to make and hard to undo. A misclassified contractor, a missed GST or PST filing, an incorrect treatment of retained earnings, all of these can create retroactive exposure that costs more than years of accountant fees. Most of these mistakes happen not from negligence but from not knowing what to look for.
A second pair of eyes on financial decisions
Beyond compliance, an accountant who knows your numbers can flag patterns, suggest adjustments, and provide a sanity check on financial decisions. The value compounds over time as the relationship deepens.
What we can do
What our accounting team can do for Vancouver businesses
- Files your federal T2 corporate return alongside the British Columbia corporate return as one integrated process
- Handles GST registration, BC PST compliance, and place-of-supply rules for clients across Canada
- Sets up cloud accounting and runs monthly bookkeeping
- Prepares payroll with CPP, EI, source deductions, WorkSafeBC premiums, and Employer Health Tax (EHT) for employees in BC
- Models salary vs dividend mix and retained earnings strategy for incorporated owners
- Handles CRA reviews, audits, and notices, leading the conversation with CRA on your behalf
- Provides ongoing tax planning throughout the year, not just at year-end
- Coordinates personal T1 returns for incorporated business owners and self-employed contractors
Areas
Vancouver and surrounding areas we serve
We serve businesses across the Lower Mainland, including:
- Vancouver proper: Downtown, West End, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Kerrisdale, Marpole
- North Shore: North Vancouver, West Vancouver
- Burnaby and Tri-Cities: Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, New Westminster
- South of Fraser: Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Langley, White Rock
- Eastern Lower Mainland: Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register for GST in Vancouver?
You're only required to register for GST once your worldwide taxable revenue exceeds CAD 30,000 in any 12-month period (the small supplier threshold). However, voluntary registration is often a good idea before that threshold, particularly if your customers are other businesses or if you have significant input costs. BC also has a separate PST that applies differently from GST. Read more about GST/HST/PST.
What's a PREC and should I form one as a Vancouver realtor?
A Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC) is a corporate structure available to BC realtors under specific provincial rules about share ownership. Forming one isn't automatic, the decision depends on your commission level, retained earnings plans, and personal goals. Read more about real estate accounting.
Do I need to physically meet my accountant in Vancouver?
No. We work entirely remotely, with secure document portals, video calls when needed, and cloud accounting setup. Our clients in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland never need to come to an office to work with us.
I'm a Brazilian professional in Vancouver. Can you help with both my Brazilian and Canadian taxes?
We focus on Canadian tax compliance and planning. For Brazilian tax matters, we recommend working with a Brazilian accountant who specializes in cross-border situations. We can coordinate with your Brazilian advisor on items that affect both sides, such as foreign income reporting on your Canadian return.
What's the typical fee structure for accounting services in Vancouver?
Most of our clients are on monthly recurring fees that cover bookkeeping, corporate tax, and ongoing access for tax questions. Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the business. We offer a free 30-minute discovery session before any commitment, where we discuss your situation and provide a clear quote.
I run a Vancouver-based business but have clients across Canada. How does GST and PST work?
Sales tax treatment depends on the place of supply. GST applies federally, while PST is a separate provincial tax in BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Other provinces use HST (federal + provincial combined). For a Vancouver business with national clients, the rules get complex quickly. We help businesses set up the right invoicing rules from day one. Read more about GST/HST/PST.
When does it make sense to incorporate my Vancouver business?
Incorporation makes sense when revenue justifies the cost of running a corporation: roughly when your business income exceeds what you need to live on, and you can leave money inside the corporation. The decision involves retained earnings plans, RRSP/TFSA strategy, family situation, and personal goals. Read more about tax planning.
I already have an accountant in Vancouver. How does switching work?
Switching is straightforward. We coordinate the transfer of your books, prior-year tax returns, and ongoing CRA correspondence. The best timing is right after your fiscal year-end is filed, but switching mid-year is also possible with a clean cut-off. We handle the communication with your previous accountant during the transition.
Do you work with my specific industry in Vancouver?
We work with service businesses of all kinds. To start, we have specific experience across ten industries: real estate professionals, IT and software, immigration services, hospitality services, beauty and esthetics, healthcare practitioners, legal practices, martial arts schools, not-for-profits, and travel agencies and educational consultants. If your sector isn't on this list, that doesn't mean we can't help. Many patterns translate across service businesses, so it's worth a conversation.
Ready to talk to an accountant who works with Vancouver businesses?
Book a 30-minute discovery session. No cost, no commitment.
Book a discovery session