Sarah Mitchell
Sarah has spent over a decade advising small and family-owned auto repair shops on growth, hiring, and customer experience. With an MBA from Western and a background in small-business lending, she has worked directly with more than 200 independent Canadian shops on pricing, marketing, and CRA-compliant bookkeeping. She writes about the operational and regulatory side of running a profitable independent garage in Canada.
465 articles by Sarah
Managing Accounts Receivable: How to Stop Chasing Customer Payments
Learn strategies to manage accounts receivable and improve cash flow. Reduce late payments and bad debts at your auto shop.
Bookkeeping for Mechanics: Why Sage Accounting Is a Shop Staple
Learn why Sage Accounting is popular with auto shops. Understand bookkeeping basics, software features, and how to simplify your financial management.
The Productivity Super-Deduction: How to Lower Your Tax Bill with Tech
Learn how the Productivity Super-Deduction allows auto shop owners to deduct technology investments. Understand eligibility and tax savings.
Tax Deductions for Tool Purchases: How the $100,000 Tool Box Pays Off
Learn how auto shop owners deduct tool purchases and equipment. Understand CCA, immediate expensing, and strategies to maximize tax savings.
Understanding Bare Trusts in 2026: Does Your Shop Need to File?
Learn what bare trusts are, when auto shop owners need them, and CRA filing requirements. Understand if your shop structure requires bare trust compliance.
Building RRSP Room Through Salary: Planning Your Retirement Early For Auto Repair Shop Owners
Learn how auto shop owners build RRSP contribution room through salary. Understand the 18% rule, pension adjustments, and retirement planning strategies.
Salary vs. Dividends for Auto Shop Owners: The Tax Strategy That Matters
Auto shop owners choose between salary and dividends for tax savings. Salary generates CPP contributions and RRSP room. Dividends offer tax-preferred treatment. Learn which strategy works best for your business in 2026.
CPP Contributions in 2025: What Your Auto Shop Payroll Really Costs
Understand 2025 CPP contribution rates, maximums, and how self-employed auto shop owners calculate real payroll costs. Learn strategies to manage CPP expenses.
Paying Your Spouse or Children: CRA Rules for Reasonable Family Wages
Learn CRA rules for paying family members at your auto shop. Understand what makes wages reasonable, documentation requirements, and how to stay compliant.
Filing T4s for Your Family Business: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices
Master T4 filing for your auto shop family business. Learn deadlines, common errors, and best practices to avoid CRA penalties.
Managing GST/HST Remittances: A Survival Guide for Busy Mechanics
Master GST/HST remittances for your auto shop. Learn filing deadlines, input tax credits, registration thresholds, and best practices to avoid penalties.
WSIB Registration for New Auto Repair Shop Owners: First Steps for Ontario Employers
Ontario auto repair shop owners who hire employees must register with WSIB within 10 days. This guide covers what WSIB is, how to register, what premiums cost for the auto repair industry, and what other Canadian provinces require for workers' compensation coverage.