Tax Punjabi - Payroll

Payroll 101: Hiring Your First Employee

ਪੇਰੋਲ 101: ਆਪਣੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕਰਨਾ

Category: Payroll Reading time: 6 min read Published: 12/25/2025

Step-by-step guide to setting up payroll, opening a CRA account, and managing deductions for your first hire.

🎯 Key Takeaways
  • Employers must deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee pay
  • Remittances are due by the 15th of the following month
  • T4 slips must be issued by end of February each year
  • Proper classification of employees vs contractors is critical

👥 What is Payroll?

Payroll involves calculating employee wages, deducting required contributions (CPP, EI, income tax), and remitting these amounts to CRA on behalf of your employees.

📋 Required Deductions

🔵
CPP (Canada Pension Plan)

Both employer and employee contribute. Rate is 5.95% each in 2025.

🟢
EI (Employment Insurance)

Employee pays 1.64%, employer pays 1.4x that amount (2.30%).

🟣
Income Tax

Based on TD1 forms and CRA payroll tables.

📅 Important Deadlines

  • Monthly remittances: 15th of following month
  • T4 slips to employees: Last day of February
  • T4 Summary to CRA: Last day of February
Penalties for Late Remittances

CRA charges 3-10% penalties on late payroll remittances, plus interest. Multiple failures can result in 20% penalties.

Need Payroll Help?

Tax Punjabi offers complete payroll services for small businesses.