Teplov CPA Complimentary Review
PSB risk review

A corporation does not automatically protect an incorporated IT professional from PSB risk

CRA looks at the real working arrangement: client concentration, control, tools, substitution rights, financial risk, and whether the contractor is independent in substance. A review can clarify the facts before renewal or year-end.

Book a 15-minute introduction Start the PSB questionnaire
Preliminary fact questionnaire

Understand the PSB indicators in your contracting arrangement

Answer questions about your corporation and how you actually work. Your summary will identify facts supporting business independence, employee-like features, and information that needs further review.

This is preliminary screening, not a tax opinion or CRA determination. Answer based on actual practice, including where it differs from your contract.

Assess one engagement at a time. Choose one engagement and one assessment period. Other contracts may involve different working arrangements.

Answers are saved in this browser tab's session storage so you can return from the inquiry form. They are cleared by Start again or after a successful inquiry, and otherwise when the tab session ends. Nothing is sent by the questionnaire itself. Do not enter SINs, banking details or confidential client information. Do not upload contracts here.

What the review covers

The goal is not a generic yes/no label. The goal is a documented view of the facts, the weak spots, and the support that should exist if CRA asks questions.

  1. 01

    Contract and client map

    Identify the legal payer, staffing agency, end client, renewal history, payment flow, and whether the corporation depends on one relationship.

  2. 02

    Working-arrangement facts

    Review control, tools, substitution rights, financial risk, integration with the client team, and how the work is actually performed.

  3. 03

    Evidence to gather

    Separate facts that support independence from facts that create exposure, and identify records for a secure follow-up review.

What a PSB determination means in practice

A professional review examines the facts and applicable law. The public summary organizes reported facts and does not establish a filing position.

Related guides

Detailed breakdowns of the PSB risk factors, corporate tax consequences, and decisions that follow a review.

Common questions

Q.01 Does having a corporation protect me from PSB classification?
No. The PSB rules specifically apply to a business carried on by a corporation when all statutory conditions are met. CRA reviews the agreement and actual working conditions. See the PSB risk guide in Resources for the full set of conditions.
Q.02 What does a PSB determination actually cost?
Income classified as personal services business income does not qualify for the small business deduction or the general corporate tax rate reduction, and an additional 5% federal tax applies. For taxable PSB income allocated to Ontario, the standard combined corporate income tax rate is 44.5%: 33% federal plus 11.5% Ontario. Expense deductions are restricted. Personal tax may also apply when after-tax profits are distributed as dividends. Actual tax payable depends on the taxation year, provincial allocation, eligible deductions and other circumstances. Last reviewed: 10 October 2026.
Q.03 Who is most at risk?
An incorporated professional whose actual working practices resemble employment may need a closer review, especially where the client directs daily work, controls availability or treats the person as an internal employee. An agency, government contract, security clearance, single client or long tenure alone does not establish PSB status.
Q.04 Can the review be done before renewal?
Yes, and that is the best time. A review before contract renewal gives you time to document independence facts, consider contract terms, and make any planning decisions before committing to another year. Doing the review after a CRA query is less useful.
PSB review

Need a PSB fact review?

Share a brief description of the engagement and your main questions. Teplov CPA responds within one business day.

Book a 15-minute introduction Send a PSB inquiry