Summer’s longer evenings have finally settled in over Alberta, and many practices are catching their breath between packed client days. Some families are already planning one last camping trip before school prep begins, while clinics look at mid-year numbers and wonder where the first half of 2025 went. This brief pause feels like the perfect moment to share a few essential tax changes and a simple tip to lighten the bookkeeping load in the months ahead.
Numbers in the News
Digital Services Tax on track to be withdrawn
On 29 June 2025 the Department of Finance announced draft legislation that would cancel the Digital Services Tax (DST) introduced last year. No DST returns or payments will be required after 30 June 2025, and any amounts already remitted will be refunded once the bill passes Parliament.
Why it matters: Many telehealth, booking and practice-management platforms had warned of subscription increases to cover the 3 percent levy. With the tax being withdrawn, anticipated price hikes tied to the DST should no longer materialize.
Read the full analysis in our latest blog post.
Financial Wellness Rx
Stop Losing Weekends to Receipts
Paper slips still pile up in desk drawers, yet most can be captured in seconds. Consider these quick wins:
- Capture receipts with Xero’s mobile app
- Turn on daily bank feeds to spot gaps early
- Set up simple coding rules for repeat expenses
- Block a five-minute Friday clean-up to clear the backlog
- Store digital copies and safely shred the originals
A few small automations today translate into hours saved at year-end and fewer queries during an audit.
Question of the Week
Do online therapy sessions billed to clients outside Alberta still need GST/HST?
Yes, when the client is physically in Canada during the session, the supply is taxed based on that client’s province. A British Columbia resident joining by video call, for instance, attracts 5 percent GST plus 7 percent provincial portion, even if the therapist’s office is in Calgary. Sessions delivered to clients who are overseas for the full appointment are generally zero-rated, but detailed notes proving the client’s location are essential.
Unsure which rate applies? Document the client’s address at booking and confirm it before each session.
Curious how your own numbers stack up?
Download the free Financial Wellness Blueprint to benchmark cash flow, owner pay and tax readiness in less than ten minutes.
