Payroll Guide for New Brunswick: What Every Employer Should Know

Hiring your first employee is an exciting step — but it also comes with specific legal payroll obligations. Here's what an employer in New Brunswick needs to know to stay compliant from day one.

Registering as an employer with the CRA

Before issuing your first paycheque, your business must obtain a payroll deductions account number from the Canada Revenue Agency. This number is separate from your general business number and must appear on all your remittances.

Mandatory source deductions

Every paycheque must include three mandatory withholdings: income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) contributions. The employer must also remit its own share of CPP and EI contributions, on top of what's withheld from the employee's pay.

Minimum wage in New Brunswick

The provincial minimum wage is reviewed periodically. It's important to check the current rate before setting compensation, since adjustments can occur throughout the year.

How often to remit to the CRA

How often you must remit source deductions to the CRA depends on the size of your payroll. New employers and small businesses generally remit monthly, but this frequency can change as your payroll grows.

Year-end T4 slips

Each year, a T4 slip must be prepared and given to every employee, summarizing the pay issued and the deductions withheld. These slips must also be filed with the CRA, generally before the end of February of the following year.

"Payroll is one of the areas where mistakes cost the most — in penalties, but also in your employees' trust. It's worth getting organized from the first hire."

Hiring your first employee soon, or is your current payroll process giving you headaches? Book a discovery call. Our payroll management service handles calculations, remittances and T4 slips, for up to 5 employees.