Stephanie Bakalar
Stephanie 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.
1384 articles by Stephanie
Are Tools Tax Deductible in Canada? CCA Classes and the CAD 500 Rule
Which CCA class a shop tool goes in, the CAD 500 rule, where immediate expensing stands now, and the CAD 1,000 tools deduction for technicians.
CPP Employer Contribution Rate: What an Auto Shop Pays on Payroll
CPP, CPP2 and EI rates and maximums for 2025 and 2026, what a self-employed or incorporated shop owner pays, and worked payroll cost examples.
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.
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.
Salary vs Dividends in Canada: Tax, CPP and RRSP for Shop Owners
Paying yourself from your shop corporation in Canada? Compare salary and dividends: 2026 CPP costs, RRSP room, corporate tax, dividend credits and TOSI.
T4 Filing for a Family Business: Deadline, Penalties and Family Pay
The T4 due date rule, late-filing penalties, online filing, corrections, and the CPP and EI rules for a spouse or child on your auto shop payroll.
Auto Repair Shop Inventory Management: How to Cut Carrying Costs
For businesses in general, stock costs 20 to 30 percent of its value a year to hold. Cut parts carrying cost with ABC groups, reorder levels and cycle counts.
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.
Automated Review Requests for Auto Repair Shops: The Set-and-Forget Way to Build Your Online Reputation
Most auto repair shops know reviews matter but rarely ask for them consistently. Automated review request tools send every eligible customer a review link at the right moment without any staff effort. Learn how to set it up and what results to expect.
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.
Cybersecurity for Small Auto Repair Shops: How to Protect Customer Data in the Cloud
Cloud-based shop management software creates new security risks alongside its efficiency benefits. Customer names, payment details, and vehicle records are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. Learn the essential cybersecurity steps every small garage must take now.
Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) for Auto Repair Shops: Boost Approval Rates with Photo and Video
When customers can see the problem, they approve the repair. Digital vehicle inspections use photos and video to replace verbal descriptions with visual proof. Learn how DVI software increases approval rates, builds trust, and protects your shop from disputes.