Tax returns can become quite complicated depending upon the type of business organization you operate under. Many business people elect to have an accountant prepare their tax returns for them.

However, if you want to do it yourself you can refer to the Canada Revenue Agency's Guide for Canadian Small Business where you can access tax information for home-based businesses.
 

There are three basic types of home business:

• Part-time: you spend less than 6 hours a month on your venture and it provides you with a little extra cash. Often, you maintain a full-time job.
• Micro: you dedicate at least 15 - 30 hours per month to the business and the money you make adds nicely to your household income. In some cases, you are still working full-time or part-time somewhere else.
• Full-time: you spend as much time at your business as you would working for someone else and it is your main source of income.

If your business is in Winnipeg, you can find a listing of licenses and/or permits required on our regulations page. If you live outside of Winnipeg, check with your local municipal office as to what licenses and/or permits they require. If you are unsure which municipal office to contact, visit the Province of Manitoba's Community Profiles page to find the office near you.
 

You cannot employ others in your home unless they are family members who reside in your home. For jobs you need help with, you will have to sub-contract to someone with the expertise you need.
 

You can operate a catering business from your home...the administrative aspects of it. However, all food preparation, handling and storage must be done in a commercial kitchen that is approved and licensed by the local health authority. If you cannot afford to purchase a separate and self-contained facility for storing, preparing and handling food products, you may consider renting from a licensed commercial kitchen. For example, if your local church has a commercial kitchen that is approved by the local health authorities, you may negotiate to rent the facility for a day or two a week from the church.

If you are in Winnipeg, contact the City of Winnipeg Health, Environmental Health Services, at (204) 986-2443.

Each municipality has their own regulations for food handling. For information on all food handling establishments outside of Winnipeg, contact District Public Health Inspection, c/o Manitoba Conservation, at (204) 945-7100.
 

 
Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council Inc. ('MHBAC') is a non-share, not-for-profit corporation created with the financial and moral support of both senior levels of government and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Its purpose is, simply, to offer information, advice and encouragement to entrepreneurs who own, or intend to start, their own businesses and to operate them from their homes. We treat your personal contact information with respect and solely for the purposes related to your participation in MHBAC's network, informing you of upcoming events and of potential opportunities. We do not trade, rent, sell or disclose your personal information to anyone else at all. If at any time you wish to be removed from our network, simply contact us by email at Manitoba@CanadaBusiness.ca