--- title: "Personal Tax Accountant, Markham | T1 Returns | EverStone CPA" url: https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-tax-accountant-markham description: "Personal tax accountant in Markham for owners and families: T1 returns with the Ontario surtax, health premium and dividend planning, online. Get a quote." updated: 2026-10-16 publisher: EverStone CPA Inc. (Chartered Professional Accountant firm, Abbotsford, BC) service_area: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba --- [Home](https://www.everstonecpa.com/) [Personal tax](https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-taxes) Markham Personal tax (T1) · Markham # Personal tax accountant in *Markham* An Ontario return carries two provincial features most provinces do not have, and both change how an owner’s salary and dividends behave. For Markham families with a corporation, rental property or income from abroad, the T1 is where those choices land. See [personal tax services](https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-taxes) and the [Markham CPA page](https://www.everstonecpa.com/accountant-markham). [Get My Fixed Quote](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online)[Ask a Free Question](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) **Quick answer:** A Markham owner filing an Ontario T1 meets two provincial features absent elsewhere: a surtax calculated on provincial tax payable rather than on income, and a separate health premium. Both change how a dividend behaves. EverStone prepares the personal and corporate returns together, entirely online. For a Markham resident, a basic T1 starts at $100. A personal return covers the T1 with slips such as the T4 and T5, RRSP and TFSA room, rental income on the T776 and business income on the T2125. ## Who we prepare returns for in Markham Most of the Markham returns we prepare belong to people whose income does not arrive on a single T4. Owners of incorporated consultancies and technology companies take a mix of salary and dividends. Professionals hold shares in a professional corporation. Families own a rental unit or a basement apartment alongside the home. Newer residents may still hold investments or property outside Canada. The City of Markham describes itself as Canada’s most diverse community, and that shows up on returns: foreign income, foreign tax credits and foreign property reporting are routine rather than unusual here. A single T4 with nothing else is a job for free filing software, and we will say so rather than quote. Where the return is shaped by a corporation, a rental, self-employment on the T2125 or assets abroad, it pays to have the same CPA who sees the corporate file prepare the personal one. ## A tax calculated on a tax Most provinces compute personal tax by applying rates to taxable income and subtracting credits. Ontario does that and then adds a surtax computed as a percentage of the basic provincial tax payable itself, in tiers, once that amount passes defined levels. The distinction between a tax on income and a tax on tax sounds academic and is not. Because the surtax multiplies provincial tax rather than income, anything that increases provincial tax increases the surtax with it, and anything that reduces provincial tax — including non-refundable credits applied before the surtax is computed — reduces the surtax as well. A credit in Ontario is therefore worth more than its face rate suggests, and an extra dollar of provincial tax costs more than the marginal rate implies. For a Markham household, that makes the placement of credits between spouses, such as medical expenses, donations and pension splitting, worth a careful look each year. ## Why this matters more for dividends A dividend is grossed up before tax is calculated and then reduced by a dividend tax credit. In a province with a simple rate-times-income structure, those steps largely offset in a predictable way. In Ontario, the gross-up raises taxable income, which raises basic provincial tax, which raises the surtax; the dividend tax credit then reduces provincial tax and the surtax together. The two effects do not cancel neatly, so the crossover between paying salary and paying dividends sits in a different place in Ontario than in a province without a surtax. The distinction between [eligible and non-eligible dividends](https://www.everstonecpa.com/blog/eligible-vs-non-eligible-dividends-canada) changes the size of the gross-up, and most small Markham corporations pay non-eligible dividends out of income taxed at the small-business rate. The [salary versus dividends calculator](https://www.everstonecpa.com/salary-vs-dividends-calculator) is a useful first pass. ## The health premium is a separate line Ontario also levies a health premium through the personal income tax system, calculated by reference to taxable income in steps rather than proportionally. It is not part of the surtax calculation. For an owner, the practical point is that it responds to taxable income, including the grossed-up amount of a dividend rather than the cash received. It is another item that reacts to the composition of income, not only its size. ## Family members on the payroll or the share register Family companies are common in Markham, with spouses, parents and adult children working in the business or holding shares. Paying a family member a reasonable salary for real work is ordinary and deductible. Paying dividends to family shareholders is where the tax on split income applies: unless an exception fits, those dividends can be taxed at the top rate on the recipient’s T1. The exceptions turn on age, hours worked and the type of shares held. [Tax on split income](https://www.everstonecpa.com/blog/tosi-tax-on-split-income-canada) sets out the tests, and the corporate side is covered on [corporate tax in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/corporate-tax-accountant-markham). ## Rental units, foreign assets and the forms that follow A rental unit is reported on the T776, with expenses split between current repairs and capital improvements that go to CCA. Claiming CCA on a principal residence that is partly rented needs care, because it can affect the principal residence exemption later. Foreign property with a total cost above the reporting threshold is disclosed on the T1135, foreign pensions and investment income are reported in Canadian dollars, and foreign tax already paid is claimed as a credit rather than ignored. Each of these is mechanical once the facts are known; the risk is in not knowing which ones apply. [Current versus capital rental expenses](https://www.everstonecpa.com/blog/rental-property-current-vs-capital-expense) covers the most common judgement. ## Getting the sequence right All of this is decided before the return is prepared. The amount and form of an owner’s pay is set around the corporate year-end, and by filing season the surtax, the premium and the credits are simply consequences. The useful work happens in the autumn for a December year-end, or in the month before the corporate year-end otherwise. Self-employed filers have until June 15 to file but must pay by April 30, and anyone with a large balance two years running is likely to receive instalment reminders. That is why one preparer for both returns matters more in Ontario than in a province with a flatter structure. ## What is covered One Chartered Professional Accountant handles the whole file: - T1 preparation with the full Ontario provincial schedule - Surtax and health premium effects modelled before remuneration is set - Salary and dividend mix reviewed against the provincial structure - Rental income, T2125 business income and foreign income and credits - Corporate return prepared on the same file where there is one - Instalment review and CRA correspondence ## Remote, with no office in Markham EverStone has no Markham location. Engagements run entirely online — video meetings, e-signature on the T183 and secure document upload. Personal income tax is federal legislation with a provincial schedule on top, so preparation is not tied to a local address. As your authorized representative we download your slips from the CRA directly, which removes most of the chasing. See [Ontario tax facts](https://www.everstonecpa.com/ontario-tax-facts) for the provincial figures, or [our Toronto accountant page](https://www.everstonecpa.com/accountant-toronto) for the nearest large-city practice. The moment there are employees, [payroll in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/payroll-services-markham) becomes the recurring obligation. About this article **EverStone CPA** Prepared and reviewed by a Chartered Professional Accountant at EverStone CPA, a CPA firm working with small and midsized businesses in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba. Updated October 2026 . [About the firm](https://www.everstonecpa.com/about) · [Send an enquiry](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online) ## Key personal tax dates Key personal tax dates The self-employed get longer to file, but not longer to pay — for a resident of Markham, Ontario | Obligation | When it is due | | Filing — most individuals | April 30 | | Filing — self-employed | June 15 | | Payment — everyone, including the self-employed | April 30 | | Sales tax where you operate | 13% HST, a single registration and a single return | Source: [Personal tax deadlines in detail](https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-tax-deadline). General information, not advice. In Markham, EverStone also works with [tech startups](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tech-startup-accountant-markham) and [trades businesses](https://www.everstonecpa.com/trades-accountant-markham). Free tools for Markham owners: [instalment calculator](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-instalment-calculator). Common questions ## Markham personal tax FAQ **What is the Ontario surtax?** An additional amount calculated as a percentage of basic Ontario tax payable, in tiers, once that amount passes defined levels. Because it is computed on tax rather than on income, anything that raises provincial tax raises the surtax with it, and any credit that reduces provincial tax reduces the surtax as well. [Ask about your case →](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) **Are non-refundable credits worth more in Ontario?** In effect, yes. Because credits reduce basic provincial tax before the surtax is applied, they also reduce the surtax computed on it. The combined benefit is larger than the stated provincial rate implies, which makes credit placement across a household worth more attention. **Why does Ontario change the salary-versus-dividend answer?** Because the dividend gross-up raises taxable income and therefore basic provincial tax and the surtax on it, while the dividend tax credit reduces both. The effects do not offset neatly, so the crossover between salary and dividends sits in a different place than in a province without a surtax. **Do I report property I own outside Canada?** If the total cost of your specified foreign property passes the CRA reporting threshold at any point in the year, yes, on Form T1135 with your T1. Income from that property is reported in Canadian dollars, and foreign tax paid on it is usually claimed as a foreign tax credit. **What is the Ontario Health Premium?** A separate amount paid through the personal tax system, calculated by reference to taxable income in steps. For an owner it responds to the grossed-up amount of a dividend rather than the cash received, so it reacts to the composition of income, not just the total. **When should the remuneration decision be made?** Before the corporate year-end, not at filing time. By the time the personal return is prepared, the surtax, the premium and every credit are consequences of choices already made. For a December year-end the useful conversation happens in the autumn. **What does a personal tax return cost in Markham?** Nothing about a Markham address changes the fee. A basic T1 is from $100 and a self-employed return with schedules is commonly $250 to $450. The fee is fixed in writing before we start. [See the published fees](https://www.everstonecpa.com/pricing). **Do you work with people outside Markham itself?** Yes. Owners in Unionville, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville and elsewhere in York Region are served online like Markham clients, by video, email and a secure upload link, at the same fixed fees. More Markham services [Accountant in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/accountant-markham) · [Corporate tax (T2) in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/corporate-tax-accountant-markham) · [Bookkeeping in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/bookkeeping-markham) · [Payroll in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/payroll-services-markham) · [GST/HST filing in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/gst-hst-filing-markham) · [Financial statements in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/financial-statements-markham) · [Fractional CFO in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/cfo-services-markham) · [Trades and construction accounting in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/trades-accountant-markham) · [Tech startup accounting in Markham](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tech-startup-accountant-markham) ## Related services and local guides The rest of what we do for Markham owners, nearby cities, and the reference pages behind this one. [Personal services business risk assessment A free check against the CRA’s personal services business conditions, useful for single-client consultants.](https://www.everstonecpa.com/psb-risk-assessment) [Salary versus dividends How to pay yourself from a corporation, and where the crossover sits.](https://www.everstonecpa.com/blog/salary-vs-dividends-2026) [Bookkeeping for Markham businesses Monthly books that make the corporate and personal returns agree.](https://www.everstonecpa.com/bookkeeping-markham) [Personal tax (T1) in Toronto The same personal tax engagement, serving Toronto](https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-tax-accountant-toronto) [Personal tax deadlines T1 and self-employed filing dates](https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-tax-deadline) [Salary vs dividends calculator Compare the two ways to pay yourself](https://www.everstonecpa.com/salary-vs-dividends-calculator) [Accountants across Ontario Remote CPA service throughout Ontario](https://www.everstonecpa.com/accountant-ontario) [Ontario tax facts Current rates and thresholds for Ontario](https://www.everstonecpa.com/ontario-tax-facts) ## Who this is for, and who it is not This is for a Markham owner or family whose Ontario return is shaped by more than wages: dividends from a corporation, self-employment, rental or foreign income, or a year with a move or a sale. A single T4 and nothing else is a job for free software, and we will say that instead of quoting. Other returns are priced from the [published fixed fees](https://www.everstonecpa.com/pricing). ## What happens when you get in touch Markham returns are handled online in three steps, with the fee confirmed before any preparation. - **A short conversation at no cost.** We cover the salary and dividends you took, any changes in the year, and what the CRA has on record. A written fee follows. - **Slips obtained directly.** As your [authorized CRA representative](https://www.everstonecpa.com/forms/aut-01), we download the slips filed under your SIN. You only provide what never reaches the CRA. - **Reviewed with you, then filed.** Before submission you see the Ontario surtax and health premium lines and what next year’s pay mix could change. [Send an enquiry](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online), or [send us one question](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) for a CPA’s reply. ## Filing in Markham? Have the provincial layer modelled before the remuneration decision, not after. Send an enquiry. [Get My Fixed Quote](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online)[Ask a Free Question](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) ★★★★★ “…We switched to him last year for both our personal and small-business taxes — responsive, knowledgeable and quick.” Heather Powers · Google review --- Source: https://www.everstonecpa.com/personal-tax-accountant-markham Contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online