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.
485 articles by Sarah
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.
How Much Does It Cost to Open an Independent Auto Repair Shop in 2026?
Opening an independent auto repair shop in Canada requires significant upfront capital. Learn typical baseline costs for commercial leases, machinery setups, and working reserves.
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.
Auto Repair Shop Layout Design: Maximizing Bay Efficiency and Technician Workflow
A well-designed shop layout prevents wasted movement and keeps vehicles moving. Learn typical planning benchmarks for bay spacing, lift clearances, and floor considerations.
Text-to-Pay and Digital Invoicing for Auto Repair Shops: The Loyalty Advantage of Payment Convenience
Customers expect fast and convenient payment options. Text-to-pay and digital invoicing speed up cash flow, reduce billing disputes, and create a smoother experience that brings customers back. Learn how to implement both tools in your shop.
QuickBooks Integration for Auto Repair Shops: How to Eliminate Manual Data Entry for Good
Manual data entry between your shop management software and QuickBooks wastes hours every week and creates costly errors. Learn how QuickBooks integration automates the entire process and what to watch for when setting it up correctly.