Accounting and tax for registered massage therapists
Finvo keeps the books and files the taxes for registered massage therapists in British Columbia and Alberta, whether you rent a room, work on a percentage split, practise from home or run a clinic. One monthly plan covers your bookkeeping, GST filing once you're registered, and your tax return with the self-employed schedule.
What we handle for massage therapists
The usual books and returns, plus the parts that are particular to a massage practice. A senior manager reviews the work, and you can ask questions all year, not just at tax time.
Monthly bookkeeping
Treatment income from your booking system, insurer and card deposits matched to the bank, and every expense sorted as it comes in.
About bookkeepingYour tax return
Your personal return with the self-employed schedule (form T2125), built from books kept up to date through the year, so tax season is a review, not a scramble.
About tax returnsGST on treatments
We watch the $30,000 small-supplier limit, register you when it's needed, and file your GST returns with the GST you paid claimed back.
How GST works for RMTsPractice deductions
College and association fees, insurance, courses, room rent, linens, supplies, and the business share of your phone, car and home office.
RMT tax deductionsCPP and instalments
Self-employed RMTs pay both halves of CPP on their profit, and CRA may ask for quarterly instalments. We work out what to set aside.
Income tax calculatorIncorporation and clinics
When a corporation makes sense, and what changes when you take on associates, front-desk staff and a lease of your own.
Running a clinicRoom rent, split, payroll or mobile: the books follow
The way you're paid changes what goes in your books and on your return. We set things up for the way you actually work.
You rent a room
You bill patients yourself and pay the clinic a set rent. All treatment income is yours to report, and the rent is a business expense.
You're on a percentage split
The clinic bills patients and pays you your share. We record the full fees and the clinic's cut separately, so your income and costs are both right.
You're employed by a clinic
Your pay comes with a T4, and tax is taken off each pay. If you also see patients on your own, that part goes on the self-employed schedule.
You're mobile or work from home
A logbook for business driving, and a share of home costs if the space meets CRA's rules. Both need records kept as you go.
Not sure whether you're an associate or an employee? CRA looks at how the work is really done, not just the contract. How CRA decides.
Do RMTs charge GST? Usually, past $30,000.
Many health services are exempt from GST/HST, but massage therapy isn't on that list in the Excise Tax Act. That's true in BC, where massage therapy is a regulated health profession, and in Alberta. Being a regulated health profession in BC doesn't by itself make a service GST-exempt; the federal Excise Tax Act lists which services are. So treatments are taxable, and GST applies once you have to register.
If your taxable sales are $30,000 or less over four calendar quarters in a row, you're generally a small supplier and don't have to register. Past that, you register, charge 5% GST in BC and Alberta, file returns, and claim back the GST you pay on business costs. Some therapists register earlier by choice.
Massage therapy groups have asked the federal government to add an exemption. Until the law changes, we treat treatments as taxable.
GST for massage therapists, in short
- Treatments
- Taxable. Massage therapy is not one of the exempt health services in the Excise Tax Act.
- When to register
- When taxable sales pass $30,000 in one calendar quarter, or over the last four quarters in a row.
- Rate
- 5% GST in BC and Alberta. In BC, products you sell, such as oils or pillows, may also carry PST.
- What you get back
- Once registered, the GST on rent, supplies and equipment can generally be claimed as input tax credits.
Checked 22 Oct 2026 against the Excise Tax Act (Schedule V, Part II) and CRA's GST/HST registration guidance. Rules have exceptions; we check yours on the free call.
One monthly plan for your practice
Most massage therapists start with the monthly plan. If you run a clinic or a corporation, we shape the work around it after a free call.
Massage therapist plan
Books, GST and your tax return for a self-employed practice, with questions answered all year.
- Monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliation
- GST registration and returns, when you need them
- Your personal tax return with the T2125 schedule
- CPP and instalment planning
- Help with CRA letters, as needed
- Questions by chat, email or phone, all year
Clinics and corporations
Associates and room rent, payroll for front-desk staff and employed therapists, GST for the clinic, and corporate year-end.
- Associate agreements reviewed for tax status
- Payroll, T4 slips and WorkSafeBC or WCB reporting
- Clinic GST returns and input tax credits
- Incorporation, when it makes sense for you
How pricing works
Pricing is explained on the business membership page. We confirm your price before any work starts.
Three steps, mostly ours
You're busy with patients, so the start is short.
A look at last year
On a free call, we go through how you work and your last return, and point out anything that looks missed or set up the wrong way.
Set up and catch up
We set up your books and GST, file anything outstanding, and, where it makes sense, ask CRA to adjust earlier returns.
Every month after
You send receipts through the client portal or app. We keep the books and file your returns, and you get on with treating patients.
RMT accounting, answered
How much does accounting for an RMT cost?
Your price depends on how you work and how many transactions you have. The monthly plan covers bookkeeping, GST filing if you're registered, and your personal tax return with the self-employed schedule. We confirm your price before any work starts. Prices are on the business membership page.
Do RMTs charge GST?
Usually, once they're big enough. Massage therapy isn't on the list of GST/HST-exempt health services, so treatments are taxable in BC and Alberta. If your taxable sales stay at $30,000 or less over four calendar quarters in a row, you're generally a small supplier and don't have to register. Past that, you register and charge 5% GST.
I'm behind on my taxes. Can you help?
Yes. We work with your bank and card statements, booking-system reports and receipts to rebuild each missing year, file the returns, and deal with CRA on your behalf once you add us as your representative. Catch-up work is quoted after we see how many years are open.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. Most massage therapists work with us online: you upload receipts and statements to the client portal or our mobile app, and we meet by video or phone. If you'd rather meet in person, you're welcome at our Surrey, Edmonton or Courtenay office.
When should an RMT incorporate?
It's often worth looking at once your practice earns more than you need to live on, so profit can stay in the company. It also brings extra costs and filings, and it rarely helps if you take out everything you earn. We compare both ways with your own numbers before you decide.
Is it hard to switch accountants?
No. With your permission, we ask your previous accountant for the files we need, add ourselves as your representative with CRA, and set up your books from where they left off. You don't need to have that conversation yourself.
Sources, checked 27 Oct 2026. Rules have exceptions and can change. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice for your situation.
- Excise Tax Act, Schedule V, Part II, Health Care Services, s. 7 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca, current to 30 Sep 2026): the list of practitioner services that are GST/HST-exempt. Massage therapy is not on it.
- Excise Tax Act, s. 148 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca): the $30,000 small-supplier limit. CRA, General Information for GST/HST Registrants (RC4022), canada.ca: the four-quarter and single-quarter tests and voluntary registration. Rate: 5% GST in BC and Alberta.
- Excise Tax Act, s. 169 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca): input tax credits for registrants on GST/HST paid on business purchases.
- CRA, Business expenses and Guide T4002 (Form T2125), canada.ca: reasonable expenses to earn business income, the business share of mixed-use costs, and the 50% limit on meals and entertainment.
- CRA, Business-use-of-home expenses, canada.ca: principal place of business, or used only for the business and regularly to meet clients; the claim can't create or increase a business loss.
- CRA, Motor vehicle expenses and Motor vehicle records, canada.ca: a logbook of business and total kilometres; after a full base year, a three-month sample logbook if use stays within 10%.
- CRA, Line 22200 and Schedule 8, and Contributions to the Canada Pension Plan, canada.ca: self-employed people pay both the employee and employer portions of CPP.
- CRA, Required tax instalments for individuals, canada.ca: instalments when net tax owing is over $3,000 this year and in either of the two years before.
- CRA, Employment status: Employee or self-employed (which replaced guide RC4110), and CPP/EI rulings, canada.ca: the parties' intent, then control, tools, subcontracting, and financial risk and profit; either party can ask CRA for a ruling.
- Government of BC, Provincial sales tax (last updated 21 Sep 2026), gov.bc.ca: 7% general rate; the planned PST on accounting and other professional services is paused. Alberta has no PST.
Let's look at your practice's numbers together
Book a free 15-minute call by video or phone. Tell us how you're paid, whether you're registered for GST and how your books are kept today, and we'll explain what we'd do and what it would cost.
Which office?
Book a free 15-minute call15-minute calls every weekday at 10 am and 2 pm Pacific (11 am and 3 pm Mountain), except holidays.
Typical next slots, confirmed when you book:
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