Telsec Business Centres is not an accounting firm, but we do have a number of accountants that rents office space within our business centre. Some of the tips we want to share come from those office clients, while others are tips that they told us to share with our tenants and other readers of this blog.
While not all Canadian businesses have the same year end, many small business owners and entrepreneurs file their business taxes at the same time as their personal taxes. This is because many of those small businesses are not corporations and are sole proprietary owners. Yes, most tax issues are the same for corporations and sole proprietor small businesses. There are tax tips that small businesses need to know that are either specific to small businesses, or that amy take a team of accountants to apply to assist corporations.
Before we offer the tax tips that were recommended for us to share, we should tell you that there are many websites such as taxtips.ca, Intuit.ca and even the Canada Revenue Agency (cra-arc.gc.ca), that have some great tips and helpful information that is specifically aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides free seminars, as well as many online videos and publications, to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses in learning about government services, GST/HST, and personal income tax issues. These free seminars are offered in most provinces, and are often combined with seminars on provincial sales tax, payroll, and other tax-related topics.
The most important tip that our accountant tenants preach, is that tax time is not the only time you should be investigating tax tips. You should be looking for tax tips throughout the year. And there are things you need to be doing in your bookkeeping throughout the year that have tax-time implications.
If you use your car for business, you may be entitled to claim a reasonable portion of gas, license and registration fees, interest on car loan, insurance, lease, maintenance and repairs due to work-related use and parking. The catch is to be sure you distinguish between business and personal use when claiming automobile tax deductions. This means keeping a log of your odometer when using your car for business. It’s about the record keeping that will allow you to justify these expenses.
Is your home is your main place of work/employment? If yes, you may also be entitled to claim a portion of your occupancy expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, telephone and some minor repairs and maintenance that are related to the area that you work out of. The amount that you can claim varies based upon the amount of space and amount of time that particular space is used for business.
Self-employed individuals and small-business owners are entitled to claim deductions for expenses as long as they are reasonable and incurred to earn income. The most common deductions include goods purchased for resale, office supplies, virtual office services, consulting fees, salaries and benefits, travel-related business-only expenses, insurance, equipment purchases and rentals, bank charges and even repairs and maintenance to equipment. And don’t forget about entertainment expenses incurred to earn income – such as meals with clients, coffee, drinks in the bar and yes, gifts to clients.
Under the new Small Business Job Credit program, you may be eligible for a refund of employment insurance premiums paid for both in 2015 and 2016. If you are eligible, the CRA will automatically calculate the amount of your credit using the EI information from the T4 slips you filed with your 2015 and/or 2016 T4 information returns. The bonus is there is no application form to complete.
Small businesses often miss out on special available tax credits. For example, Ontario’s apprenticeship training tax credit, which can pay up to a $10,000 supplement for the wages of an apprentice in many industrial, construction and other related trades. Small businesses involved in the manufacturing, food or high-tech industries might be entitled to scientific research and experimental development tax credits. Missing out on potential tax savings can affect the bottom line of your small business.
A good accountant will remind you to not miss out on declaring business expenses that are often overlooked. Even the fees you pay to your accountant or lawyer can be claimed as expenses. Those capital asset deductions, for assets belonging to the business such as computers, automobiles and furniture, can be depreciated at varying rates – and are often forgotten.
When you are trying to make deductions for mixed use (business and personal) items and assets, be careful to have good records of how much they are used for business. If you try to claim more than you used for business, you could be hoisting a red flag that could cause your small business to get an audit from CRA.
Salaries to family members who help and assist in running your small business can bring you into a lower tax bracket, but be careful to keep them reasonable and document the work they have done and the amount of time they spent working for you. On that same note, consider paying yourself as a salaried employee of your small business, rather than collecting dividends as a business owner. It is important that you discuss this option with your accounting professional, because there are pro’s and con’s to this approach that depend on your individual tax situation.
Our last tax tip? Well, sometimes doing it yourself is NOT the best option. There are a lot of tax tips and advice out there that will help you. But when it all comes down to actually filing you taxes, it is best to get the advice of a professional. You can do what you can to have all your ducks in a row to save the time of your accountant, but letting them do the actual final paperwork will likely save you a lot of money down the road. Remember, a good accountant does not just know accounting inside-out. He or she is also up to date with our often complicated and ever-changing tax laws.

Hotels
1. THE OMNI KING EDWARD HOTEL
37 King Street East
Toronto
Jennifer Smith, General Manager
Jennifer.smith@omnihotels.com
Tel: 416-863-9700
www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. EXECUTIVE HOTELS AND RESORTS (BOUTIQUE)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mark Perry, General Manager
generalmanager@cosmotoronto.com
sales@cosmotoronto.com
reservations@cosmotoronto.com
sales.toronto@executivehotels.net
Tel: 416-350-2419
www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. HOTEL VICTORIA (BOUTIQUE)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto
Emeline Boul, General Manager
frontdesk@hotelvictoriatoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. ONE KING WEST HOTEL
1 King Street West
Toronto
Omkar Sawant, Reservations Manager
reservations@onekingwest.com
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
www.onekingwest.com
5. CAMBRIDGE SUITES TORONTO
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto
Van Nguyen, General Manager
booktoronto@cambridgesuitestoronto.com
Direct: 416-601-3757 Hotel: 416-368-1990
www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
6. LE GERMAIN HOTEL
Maple Leaf Square
75 Bremner Vlvd.
Toronto
Claudia Cantor
ccantor@germainhotels.com
416-649-4085
Jessica Ham
jham@germainhotels.com
416-910-0427
Main: 416-649-7575
www.germainhotels.com
Health and Wellness
1. MORPHEUS8 BY INMODE
47 Colborne Street
Toronto
Thom Tullo
info@amanspa.ca
Tel: 416-863-6564
www.amanspa.ca
2. ALTITUDE ATHLETIC TRAINING
56 Colborne Street
Toronto
info@altitudeathletictraining.com
Tel: 416-366-3838
www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. POUTx – Botox and filler clinic
89 King Street East
Toronto
info@thepoutxlinic.com
Tel: 647-350-5475
www.poutx.com
4. PHYSIOHEATH STUDIOS
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto
info@physiohealthstudios.com
Tel: 416-368-2525
https://physiohealthstudios.com/
CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS
1. Tim Hortons
18 King St. East (Telsec Building)
Toronto
2. Daily Ritual Café
1 King St. West
Toronto
3. Starbucks
4 King St. West
Toronto
4. Mos Mos Coffee
25 King St. West
Toronto
5. Hale Coffee Company
1 Adelaide St. E
Toronto
6. Coffee at Carltons
36 Toronto St.
Toronto
GREAT QUALITY NEIGHBOURHOOD
18 King Street East is a quality boutique Class A building – East
of Yonge Street: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely treed parks – St. James Park @
Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging
area.
RESTAURANTS/TAKE OUT
Leave it to TELSEC. Let our staff take care of the catering for the important business meeting room rental or
training seminar! Just let us know what types of food you prefer and for how many people and let us do the
rest. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Telsec can provide anything from assorted sandwiches to a high-quality
hot sit-down meal. We’re always happy to take care of our clients! https://telsec.net/boardrooms-meeting-
rooms/
1. CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto
Ryan Halsall
info@craftbeermarket.ca
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
www.craftbeermarket.ca
Toronto’s first chef-driven food hall, perfect for lunch or team outings, with a wide selection of seasonal
dishes and local brews.
2. Beerbistro restaurant and bar
Outdoor patio next to our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
18 King Street East, Main Floor
Toronto
Omid Azad
info@beerbistro.com
Tel: 416-861-9872
www.beerbistro.com
3. CONVIVIUM DINING – HIGH-END (SOME TABLES BACK ONTO OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
83 Yonge Street
Toronto
Soumini Agate
sa@myconvivium.com
General Manager
Sarah Watson
sw@myconvivium.com
Floor Manager
Tatiana Frelik (Events)
tf@myconvivium.com
Tel: 416-691-9909
www.myconvivium.com
4. RESTAURANT 20 VICTORIA – MICHELIN 2025 APPROVED
20 Victoria Street
Toronto
Declan
20vicreservations@gmail.com
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. JOEY KING STREET
20 King Street West
Toronto
Nora Elhanafy
nelhanafy@joeyrestaurants.com
Tel: 647-678-5639
www.joeyrestaurants.com
If you want to wow your business partners or clients, then grab and go from this contemporary dining
spot with a menu featuring international and regional dishes. Order their upscale east like sushi, salads,
steaks or that wagyu beef carpaccio. Yum!
6. DACASTO (take out)
37 King Street East
Toronto
Enrico Dacasto
enrico@dacasto.com
Tel: 416-214-0986
www.dacasto.com
7. DEB BREAKFAST. CO (take out)
20 Toronto Street
Toronto
Sade Henry
torontostgm@eatdeb.com
Tel: 347-880-8291
www.torontostgm.com
8. THE POKE BOX (take out)
36 Toronto Street
Toronto
Jeremy
info@thepokebox.ca
Tel: 416-929-0363
www. thepokebox.ca
For business teams that love to indulge but want to feel good about it, consider ordering from The Poke
Box. Their individual boxed meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and packed with protein! Great
for sushi lovers but without a mess.
9. CARISMA (ITALIAN)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto
Michael Pagliaro
info@carismarestaurant.com
Tel: 416-864-7373
www.carismarestaurant.com
10. NAMI (JAPANESE)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Mana
namirestaurant1984@gmail.com
Tel: 416-362-7373
www.namirestaurant.ca
11. TERRONI (ITALIAN)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Patti Shaw
info@terroni.com
Tel: 416-203-3093
www.terroni.com
12. SWAAGAT – THE REAL TASTE OF INDIA
36 King Street East
Toronto
swaagattoronto@gmail.com
Tel: 647-943-9754
13. WOODS RESTAURANT AND BAR
45 Colborne Street
Toronto
Robin Singh
info@woodsrestaurant.ca
Tel: 416-214-9918
www.woodsrestaurant.ca
14. aKin – Michelin 2025 approved
51 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mike Birdsey, Genral Manager
Eric Chong, chef + owner
info@atkintoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-0151
www.atkintoronto.com
aKin is a modern Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Toronto. Offering a
meticulously curated 10-course blind tasting menu that highlights local and seasonal ingredients, with
influences from diverse Asian cuisines.
15. CANTINA MERCATTO
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto
Niam H
info@cantinamercatto.ca
Tel: 416-304-0781
www.cantinamercatto.ca
16. UNCLE TONY’S
38 Wellington St E
Toronto
Siva Sathasivam
uncletonyssiva@gmail.com
Tel: 416-455-6650
https://uncletonys.ca/
17. FRESH KITCHEN + JUICE BAR – vegan restaurant
47 Front Street East
Toronto
Lindsey Dauilmar
ldavilmar@recipeunlimited.com
Tel: 647-693-7556
www.freshkitchens.ca
This plant-based restaurant is so good you won’t even miss meat. It’s a great choice for delicious and
health-conscious food and a top pick for those with dietary restrictions. Choose from their lunch and
dinner menu or opt for their takeout bundles and get appetizers and entrees for multiple people.
18. THE FLAT IRON: A FIRKIN PUB
49 Wellington Street East
Toronto
JC Trujillo
Jctrujillo3@gmail.com
Tel: 647-561-7224, 416-362-3444
www.firkinpubs.com/theflatiron
If your team likes pub grub, then the Firkin’s traditional English food is for you. Order from their party
platter menu for large groups, which includes all your classic pub favourites like fish and chips, sliders,
skewers, tacos, nachos, charcuterie boards and more.
19. SCORE ON KING (Sports Bar)
Outdoor Patio + Heated
Church & King
107 King Street East
Toronto
Tel: 416-519-4654
www.scoreonking.com
20. RESTAURANT LUCIE
100 Yonge Street
Toronto
info@restaurantlucie.com
Tel: 416-788-9054
www.restaurantlucie.com
21. PIZZAIOLO
(no e-mail)
104 Yonge Street
Toronto
Tel: 416-860-0700
www.pizzaiolo.ca
Restaurants
1. Ryan Halsall
CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto, ON
M5C 2V9
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
Website: www.craftbeermarket.ca
2. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com
3. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com
4. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca
6. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com
7. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca
8. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/
9. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca
10. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca
11. Amadeusz Domyslawski
GUSTO 501
501 King St. E
Toronto, ON
M5A 1L9
Tel: 416-477-5647
Website: www.gusto501.com
Health and Wellness
1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca
2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com
Hotels
1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com
5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980
18 King Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1C4 Canada
Please check out our 70 second video, click below:
Take a look at our facilities www.telsec.net
Telsec will Customize Your Client’s Office(s) Layout to Meet Their Requirements.
You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net.