Founder Fundamentals EP 06: TAX 101 with Junaid Usmani and Arif Amjad

This week’s Founder Fundamentals session took a deep dive into one of the most important yet intimidating topics for startups—taxes. The session, Tax 101 for Startups, was led by Junaid Usmani, Co-Founder & Partner at SRJ Chartered Professional Accountants, and Arif Amjad, Tax Partner at SRJ Chartered Professional Accountants, who together brought decades of financial expertise to the virtual room. Through real-world examples, practical frameworks, and light-hearted humour, the speakers helped demystify the complexities of the Canadian tax system, reminding founders that with the right knowledge, taxes can become a tool for growth rather than a hurdle to it.

Building a Strong Financial Foundation

Junaid spoke about an important fact: that while “death and taxes” are life’s only certainties, entrepreneurs can learn to outsmart the tax man. The session began with the fundamentals of business structures, exploring sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations—and the implications of each on liability and taxation.

He explained that while sole proprietorships are simple and inexpensive to start, they come with unlimited liability. Partnerships, on the other hand, offer shared responsibilities but require clear agreements to prevent conflict. Incorporating, Junaid emphasized, provides both liability protection and significant tax deferral opportunities, allowing founders to reinvest profits at lower tax rates.

“When you keep money in the corporation, you’re only paying 12% tax—leaving you with up to 40% more to reinvest,” noted Junaid Usmani.

Sales Tax Simplified

Arif led a detailed walkthrough of sales tax (GST/HST/PST), demystifying when and how to register. He clarified that once a business exceeds $30,000 in annual sales, registration becomes mandatory—but voluntary registration can sometimes help startups recover early expenses.

He also discussed the nuances of sales tax across provinces, reminding founders that rates and obligations differ across Canada and that selling to U.S. customers introduces new layers of compliance.

“If you’re paying sales tax on your startup expenses, registering early could get you that money back,” said Arif Amjad.

Payroll, Deductions, and Compliance

Junaid explored the essentials of payroll setup, explaining the importance of registering with the CRA, WSIB, and EHT, as well as correctly remitting CPP and EI contributions. He broke down the real cost of paying employees—beyond gross salary—to include employer contributions, remittance schedules, and T4 obligations.

Founders learned how to avoid common pitfalls like missing remittance deadlines and were reminded to issue Records of Employment (ROEs) promptly when offboarding staff to ensure compliance.

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From Write-Offs to Wealth: Tax Planning for Founders

The session’s second half dove into tax deductions, expense tracking, and income strategies. Junaid explained the difference between salaries and dividends, sharing when each makes sense and how they impact RRSP eligibility, SHRED credits, and long-term wealth building.

He highlighted deductible expenses founders often overlook—from travel and home office costs to professional fees and software. However, he cautioned that golf memberships, business suits, and personal groceries remain off-limits under CRA rules.

“Any expense incurred with the intent of earning income is fair game—unless the CRA explicitly says otherwise,” Junaid explained.

Arif added practical insights on sales tax audits and record-keeping, reminding founders that accurate documentation is key to surviving CRA scrutiny.

Junaid and Arif turned what is often a daunting subject into an engaging roadmap for smarter financial management—helping founders build confidence to grow, scale, and sustain their ventures responsibly.

Participants walked away with practical tax insights tailored to startup realities:

• Keep clean records and separate business from personal expenses.
• Choose the right business structure to protect personal assets and manage tax rates.
• Register early for HST/GST to recover input tax credits.
• Track payroll and remittances carefully to stay compliant.
• Differentiate salaries and dividends for optimal tax efficiency.
• Junaid and Arif turned what is often a daunting subject into an engaging roadmap for smarter financial management—helping founders build confidence to grow, scale, and sustain their ventures responsibly.

About Founder Fundamentals

Founder Fundamentals is a 12-week workshop series hosted by YSpace and Black Enterprenurship Alliance and powered by City of Markham designed to equip you with essential entrepreneurial skills. Attend 9+ workshops to earn a Certificate of Completion and take the first step toward entrepreneurial success!