Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators (CRA Reporting)

If you earn money through Pawshake in Canada—for example, by offering pet sitting, dog walking, or boarding—you may need to declare this income when you file your taxes. As a platform, we are now required to report some basic income information to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

We understand tax topics can be confusing, so this article explains what the Canadian Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators mean for Pawshake sitters.

 

Please note: Pawshake cannot give personal tax advice. If you are unsure about your individual situation, it is best to contact a qualified tax advisor or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) directly.
 

What are the Canadian Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators?

The Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators are a set of rules implemented by the Canadian government. They require online platforms like Pawshake to collect and report certain information about the income that users earn through them.

In other words, Pawshake must share details about your earnings as a sitter and related information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This is a nationwide rule that applies to all online marketplaces operating in Canada, so you may see similar requirements on other platforms you use.

Sharing this information does not automatically mean you will have to pay tax on your Pawshake earnings; that depends on your personal tax situation. You are still responsible for keeping accurate records and declaring your income yourself if required.

 

Who do the Canadian Reporting Rules apply to?

These reporting requirements apply to you if:

  • You are considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes, OR

  • You completed at least one paid booking on Pawshake during the relevant calendar year.

If you meet these criteria, Pawshake is legally required to report your earnings and some personal details to the CRA.

What do I need to do?

You will need to log in to your Pawshake account and take a few minutes to provide the required information. Pawshake will clearly guide you through the process

It is critical to keep your information accurate. Providing valid, up-to-date information is necessary for us to remain compliant with Canadian law. 

Reporting

If your account contains official reporting, your report will be available to download in the Tax section of your dashboard. The file is provided in a .csv format; while the exact steps to open it may vary depending on your preferred spreadsheet software, you can follow the steps below to open it using Microsoft Excel.

How to open the file after downloading
 
  • Click the letter A at the very top to highlight the entire first column.
  • Go to the Data tab and click Text to Columns.
  • Select Delimited and hit Next.
  • Check the box for Comma and uncheck everything else.
  • Click Finish.