A practical Canadian tax resource for gig workers
GigPulse provides a free planning calculator and independently researched guides for Canadian delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, freelancers, and other self-employed platform workers.
This page was last updated August 26, 2026.
What GigPulse does
GigPulse helps Canadian gig workers build a clearer starting point for tax planning. The calculator estimates federal and provincial or territorial income tax, self-employed CPP and CPP2, and selected business expenses using the information a visitor enters. It is designed for planning and education, not for filing a tax return or replacing professional advice.
The blog covers practical topics such as platform income, T2125 reporting, GST/HST, mileage, vehicle costs, deductions, instalments, recordkeeping, proof of income, and CRA audits. The goal is to explain complicated rules in plain language while keeping the official source available for verification.
Who operates GigPulse
GigPulse is independently operated and maintained by Tyler Heinrichs. Tyler is the site operator and editor responsible for the calculator, articles, updates, source links, and reader corrections. GigPulse is not operated by the Canada Revenue Agency, a provincial or territorial government, a delivery platform, or a tax preparation company.
Tyler is not a CPA, lawyer, or licensed tax professional. That limitation is stated directly because readers should know who is and is not providing the information. If your situation involves a formal CRA audit, a voluntary disclosure, a corporation, complex GST/HST issues, significant income, or a dispute, consult a qualified Canadian tax professional.
Questions, corrections, and source suggestions are welcome through the Contact page.
Our research and editorial method
GigPulse uses primary government information wherever practical. Research begins with CRA publications, forms, administrative guidance, and official Government of Canada pages. Provincial and territorial government sources are used for provincial or territorial tax information. Third-party sources may provide context, but they do not replace the applicable government source.
- Identify the tax year, province or territory, taxpayer type, and specific rule being explained.
- Check the relevant CRA or government source and record the source link used for the article or calculator assumption.
- Translate the rule into a plain-language explanation without presenting an estimate as an official assessment.
- Test calculator assumptions and calculations against representative inputs and clearly describe what is excluded.
- Review articles when rates, forms, thresholds, government guidance, or the site’s calculation assumptions change.
- Correct material errors when they are identified and update the displayed review date when an article is substantively reviewed.
Each blog post displays its publication or review information where available and includes official source links for readers who want to check the underlying rule. The date on an article does not mean that every tax rule remains unchanged; always check the current government source and the facts of your situation.
How technology and AI are used
AI tools may help organize notes, compare drafts, identify possible inconsistencies, and support research workflows. They do not replace source checking, editorial judgment, calculation testing, or responsibility for what is published. AI-generated suggestions are not treated as an authority, and readers should rely on the linked CRA or government source when a conflict exists.
What the calculator includes and excludes
| Area | Current scope |
|---|---|
| Income | Gross gig income and tips entered by the visitor; employment, investment, and other income are not fully modeled. |
| Expenses | Selected business expenses and actual vehicle costs allocated by business use; unsupported or personal expenses should not be entered as deductions. |
| Tax and CPP | Federal and provincial or territorial planning estimates, including self-employed CPP and CPP2 assumptions for the selected tax year. |
| Not included | GST/HST, EI, every tax credit, benefits, employment income, filing status complexities, and all individual circumstances. |
See the calculator assumptions and primary sources before relying on an estimate. The calculator is a planning aid, not an official CRA tool.
Editorial independence and disclosures
GigPulse may display advertising through Google AdSense and may use analytics and other third-party services. Some articles contain Amazon or KOHO affiliate links, and GigPulse may receive a commission or referral compensation if a reader completes a qualifying action at no additional cost. GigPulse may also link to a paid dashboard sold through Gumroad. These relationships do not change the calculator’s results or the tax rules described in an article, and affiliate products are not required to use GigPulse or comply with CRA recordkeeping rules.
Advertising, affiliate relationships, and third-party services are described in the Privacy Policy. Editorial content is intended to be useful independently of any purchase or click.
Important limitation
GigPulse is a planning and educational resource. Tax law, rates, forms, and administrative guidance can change, and individual facts can change the result. Do not use a GigPulse estimate as the amount to report or pay on a tax return without independently verifying it. Review the Terms of Service and consult a qualified professional when your circumstances require individualized advice.