Do I have to pay income tax on money I earn through gig platforms in Ontario?

Yes — income earned through gig economy platforms (such as rideshare driving, delivery services, freelance marketplaces, or short-term rentals) is fully taxable in Canada, including for Ontario residents. Whether you receive a formal tax slip or not, you are required to report all income earned.

Most gig income is treated as self-employment income, reported on your T1 as business income. You must declare your gross income and can deduct allowable business expenses — such as the business-use portion of your vehicle, phone expenses, and platform fees. If you receive a T4A slip from the platform, that amount must match what you report; if no slip is issued, you still report the income.

If your taxable gig income (combined with other business income) causes your total taxable revenues to exceed $30,000 in a 12-month period or single quarter, you are also required to register for and collect HST. Some platforms facilitate HST collection on your behalf, but you remain responsible for ensuring it is handled correctly. Keeping thorough records of all income received and expenses paid is essential. The CRA has been working with gig platforms to improve reporting, so unreported income is increasingly detectable.