What’s the digital economy?
The digital economy is all the economic activities made possible by transformational digital technology and the Internet. It includes:
What about income tax?
If you earn income from the digital economy, you must report it. However, reporting it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay income tax. What’s more, it can help you:
Good to know!
Reporting your income can really pay off! Over 70% of the tax credits Revenu Québec pays out depend on taxpayers filing their income tax returns.
Activities
Do you create content for your social media, live stream gaming or write articles for your blog in return for:
If so, these perks are considered business income. This means that you’re self-employed and running a business, which has its own perks. For example, you can deduct expenses for content creation, including:
Do you make deliveries through an online platform such as Uber Eats, DoorDash or SkipTheDishes? Did you know that you’re not an employee, but actually self-employed and running a business?
This means that you can deduct some expenses related to your deliveries, including:
Tip
Keep records and save supporting documents (receipts, etc.) so that you can deduct your expenses.
Got questions? We've got answers
Yes. Any cash payments, donations, sponsorships, gifts and products that you receive on a regular basis are considered business income. In other words, these perks mean that you’re self-employed and running a business.
No. You won’t get any tax slips from the platform because you aren’t an employee. Since you’re actually self-employed and running a business, income from deliveries is considered business income and it’s up to you to report it. For more information about your obligations, click Self-Employed Workers.
In general, you must register for the GST/HST and QST if your income from the digital economy is over $30,000 for a given calendar quarter or for the four preceding calendar quarters. For more information, see How to Register for the GST and QST.
Want one-on-one help?
We offer content creators and meal delivery drivers free one-on-one help on a variety of topics related to being self-employed. We can meet by videoconference or in person (at your location of choice or our offices). We’ll tailor the information to your situation. For example, if you’re a meal delivery driver, we’ll take into account the business model used by your platform (SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) when answering these and other questions:
To schedule a meeting or get more information, click Assistance Program.
TAX CREDITS, DEDUCTIONS AND ALLOWANCES
TAX CREDITS, DEDUCTIONS AND ALLOWANCES
To see all the tax credits, deductions and allowances to which you may be entitled, click Tax Credits for Individuals and Deductions.
Solidarity tax credit
Tax credit for childcare expenses
Tax credits respecting the work premium
Amount for a person living alone
Deduction for workers
And much more!
Sales tax and income tax provide funding for public services and social programs. Learn more here.
You don’t have to be an expert to talk taxes. Just follow the five steps below to do your own taxes. You’ll also find answers to common questions about income tax returns.
Quebeckers love their home renovations. But whenever you have work done on your home or cottage, make sure you get a receipt.