Employee or contractor checker
Answer questions to see if a worker looks like staff or a contractor.
Result
Employee or contractor checker
- Does the payer decide how the work is done? (required)
- Yes
- Does the worker set their own hours? (required)
- Yes
- Does the worker supply the main tools? (required)
- Yes
- Can the worker make a profit or take a loss? (required)
- Yes
- Can the worker hire and pay their own helpers? (required)
- Yes
- Is the worker part of the payer's daily business? (required)
- Yes
What the answers lean toward
More of these answers look like a contractor
2 of 6 answers lean toward an employee, and 4 lean toward a contractor.
This is a guide, not a legal or CRA ruling. General guidance only and not a CRA determination. A starting point, not legal advice.
- Answers that lean toward an employee
- 2
- Answers that lean toward a contractor
- 4
Each answer counts as one. There is no weighting and no rounding.
This is a guide, not a legal or CRA ruling. General guidance only and not a CRA determination. A starting point, not legal advice. CRA: Determine the employment status
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Estimate for planning only. This is not tax, legal, accounting or financial advice. Results depend on the figures you enter. Check all numbers, rates and rules with the official source or a qualified professional before relying on them.
How this works and common questions
About this tool
This is a guide, not a legal or CRA ruling. General guidance only and not a CRA determination. A starting point, not legal advice. The page counts which answers lean which way. It does not decide status.
How it works
Each answer leans toward an employee or a contractor. Control by the payer and being part of the payer's daily business lean toward an employee. Setting hours, supplying tools, profit or loss, and hiring helpers lean toward a contractor. The larger count is what the page reports.
Rules
A tie is reported as split. The page does not weigh one fact over another. This is a guide, not a legal or CRA ruling. General guidance only and not a CRA determination. A starting point, not legal advice. It does not say a worker is staff or a contractor. Use the CRA page linked on this tool for CRA's own test.
Questions
Is this a CRA decision?
No. This is a guide, not a legal or CRA ruling. It is general guidance only and not a CRA determination. A starting point, not legal advice.
What does a split result mean?
The same number of answers lean each way. The page does not pick a side.
Should I rely on this for a contract?
No. It is a starting point, not legal advice. Check the facts with the CRA or a qualified professional.
Do I need an account?
No. The tools work without one. You only need to sign in to save your work.
Is what I type saved?
No. Nothing is saved unless you sign in and choose Save. Otherwise it stays on the page.
Do you show ads or sell my information?
No. We show no ads and we do not sell your information.
Is this tax or legal advice?
No. Results are estimates for planning. Check rates and rules with the official source or a qualified professional.
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Estimate for planning only. This is not tax, legal, accounting or financial advice. Results depend on the figures you enter. Check all numbers, rates and rules with the official source or a qualified professional before relying on them.