The Tax Planning module helps you stay on top of your client's tax obligations. Record installment payments, track filing and remittance deadlines, model different tax scenarios using the simplified federal method, and configure tax rates and frequencies — all from a single five-tab workspace.
This guide walks through every tab and every field in the order you see them on screen.
Getting Here
- Open the main sidebar and select a Bookkeeping Client.
- In the client sidebar, click Tax Planning (under the Advanced section).
The page opens to the Dashboard tab. Five tabs sit across the top:
| Tab | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Summary view of estimated tax, upcoming deadlines, and payments. |
| Installments | Record and manage tax payments made to CRA/IRS. |
| Calendar | Track filing and payment deadlines with status. |
| Scenarios | Model different tax outcomes using the simplified method. |
| Settings | Configure tax year, rates, and remittance frequencies. |
Dashboard Tab
The Dashboard gives you a quick read on the client's tax position with summary cards across the top.
Summary Cards
| Card | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Est. Income Tax | Estimated income tax based on current year-to-date net income. Displays $0.00 until data is populated. |
| Next Deadline | The date and title of the earliest upcoming deadline. Shows "None" if no deadlines have been added. |
| Installments Paid | The total of all recorded tax payments year-to-date. |
Installments Tab
Use this tab to record every tax payment your client makes — income tax instalments, GST/HST remittances, and payroll source deductions.
Recording a Payment
At the top of the tab, a row of fields lets you add a new payment:
| Field | What To Enter | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Date | The date the payment was made. Defaults to today. | Yes |
| Amount | The dollar amount paid. | Yes |
| Type | Income Tax, GST/HST, or Payroll. | Yes |
| Notes | Any additional notes (optional). | No |
Click Add Payment to record it. The payment appears in the table below.
Payments Table
| Column | What You See |
|---|---|
| Date | The payment date. |
| Type | Income Tax, GST/HST, or Payroll — displayed in plain English. |
| Amount | The dollar amount. |
| Notes | Any notes you entered. |
| Actions | A trash icon to delete the payment. |
Click the trash icon to remove a payment. This cannot be undone.
✓ Tip: Record instalments as they are paid throughout the year. The Dashboard card updates automatically so you always know where the client stands.
Calendar Tab
The Calendar tab is your deadline tracker. Add every filing and payment deadline — corporate tax returns, GST/HST filings, payroll remittances — and see them sorted by due date.
Adding a Deadline
| Field | What To Enter | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Due Date | The date the filing or payment is due. | Yes |
| Title | A descriptive name, e.g., "Q1 GST Filing" or "T2 Corporate Return." | Yes |
| Tax Type | Income Tax, GST/HST, or Payroll. | Yes |
Click Add to save the deadline.
Deadline Cards
Each deadline appears as a card showing:
| Element | What You See |
|---|---|
| Date Badge | The due date in a highlighted box on the left. |
| Title | The deadline title in bold. |
| Tax Type Badge | A tag showing the tax type (Income Tax, GST/HST, or Payroll). |
| Status Badge | The current status: Pending (grey) or Filed (blue). |
| Delete | A trash icon to remove the deadline. |
Deadlines are sorted chronologically — the soonest due date appears first.
✓ Tip: Use the Calendar tab at the start of each quarter to ensure all recurring filings are accounted for. The Dashboard's "Next Deadline" card always shows the most urgent item.
Scenarios Tab
The Scenarios tab lets you model "what-if" tax outcomes using the Simplified Method — a Canadian federal tax estimation approach that applies different rates to different types of income.
How the Simplified Method Works
Three income categories are taxed at different federal rates:
| Income Category | Federal Rate | Typical Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Active Business Income (ABI) | 9% | Operating revenue from active business activities. |
| Investment Income | 38.67% | Interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains. |
| General Rate Income | 15% | Income not qualifying for the small business deduction. |
For each category, you enter an estimated income and estimated expenses. The system calculates: Net = Income − Expenses, then Tax = Net × Rate.
Creating a Scenario
- Under New Scenario, fill in:
| Field | What To Enter | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Scenario Name | A label for this scenario, e.g., "High Growth Q4" or "Conservative Estimate." | Yes |
| Active Business Income (9%) | Estimated ABI revenue. | No |
| ABI Expenses | Estimated expenses against ABI. | No |
| Investment Income (38.67%) | Estimated investment revenue. | No |
| Investment Expenses | Estimated expenses against investment income. | No |
| General Rate Income (15%) | Estimated general rate revenue. | No |
| General Rate Expenses | Estimated expenses against general rate income. | No |
- Click Create Scenario.
Scenario Cards
Each scenario appears as a card in a responsive grid. The card shows:
| Row | What You See |
|---|---|
| ABI Net (9%) | Net active business income and the tax at 9%. |
| Inv. Net (38.67%) | Net investment income and the tax at 38.67%. |
| General Net (15%) | Net general rate income and the tax at 15%. |
| Est. Tax | The sum of all three tax amounts, in red. |
| Net After Tax | Total net income minus estimated tax, in green. |
To delete a scenario, click the trash icon on its card.
✓ Tip: Create multiple scenarios with different assumptions — for example, one with conservative revenue and one with aggressive growth. Compare the "Net After Tax" values to guide planning decisions.
Settings Tab
The Settings tab configures the client's tax profile — rates, year, and remittance frequencies.
Tax Profile Fields
| Field | What To Enter | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | The tax year, e.g., "2026." | Yes |
| Fiscal Year End | The client's fiscal year-end date. | Yes |
Federal Tax Rates (Simplified Method)
A read-only reference card displays the three federal rates used in the Scenarios tab:
| Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 9% | Active Business Income (ABI) — small business deduction rate. |
| 38.67% | Investment Income — federal rate on passive income. |
| 15% | General Rate Income — standard federal corporate rate. |
Provincial Tax Rate
| Field | What To Enter |
|---|---|
| Provincial Tax Rate (%) | Enter the applicable provincial corporate tax rate as a percentage. This is used in scenario calculations alongside the federal rates. |
Remittance Frequencies
| Field | Options |
|---|---|
| Sales Tax Frequency | Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually. Sets how often GST/HST returns are filed. |
| Payroll Remittance Frequency | Monthly or Quarterly. Sets how often payroll source deductions are remitted. |
Saving
Click Save Settings at the bottom of the card. A toast confirms the update. Settings take effect immediately for the Scenarios calculator and the Dashboard summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Simplified Method?
The Simplified Method is a Canadian tax estimation approach that applies three different federal tax rates to different categories of income. It is not a substitute for a full tax return but provides a quick estimate for planning purposes.
How accurate are the scenario tax estimates?
The estimates use the federal rates only. Provincial tax, surtaxes, refundable tax credits, and other adjustments are not included unless you enter a provincial rate in Settings. Use scenarios for planning and comparison, not for filing.
Can I track deadlines that repeat every year?
Add each deadline for the current year. For recurring deadlines (corporate returns, GST filings), add them for each period. The system shows all deadlines sorted by due date so you always see what is coming next.
What payment types are available?
Three types: Income Tax (corporate instalments), GST/HST (sales tax remittances), and Payroll (source deductions). Choose the one that matches the payment you are recording.
How do I delete a payment or deadline?
Click the trash icon next to any payment or deadline. There is no undo — the record is permanently removed.
Can I export the tax planning data?
The current version does not include an export feature. You can use the Dashboard and Calendar tabs as a reference during tax season preparation.
Does the system auto-calculate estimated tax on the Dashboard?
The Dashboard shows an estimated income tax amount based on current YTD net income data from the general ledger. The calculation updates as new transactions are posted.
What is the difference between ABI and General Rate income?
Active Business Income (ABI) qualifies for the small business deduction at 9% federal rate (on the first $500,000 for Canadian-controlled private corporations). General Rate Income is taxed at 15% and applies to income above the small business limit or income from non-active sources that does not fall into the investment category.