Built for YouTubers running a real business.
AdSense pays in USD. Sponsors pay through agencies. PR boxes arrive faster than invoices. Cadence gives you one place to keep the record — payouts, deals, gear, and the GST/HST math that comes with it.
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Every way you earn
Built around how YouTubers actually get paid.
Every income type gets its own record — with the date, source, gross, fees, currency, and CAD equivalent. So when tax time comes, your accountant gets a summary, not a scavenger hunt.
AdSense / YouTube Premium
USD payouts from Google Singapore. Track the gross, exchange rate, and CAD equivalent against the date paid.
Channel Memberships & Super Chat
Monthly membership splits, Super Chat tips, and Super Stickers — small amounts that add up across the year.
Brand sponsorships
Integrated reads, dedicated videos, agency placements — usually invoiced separately with NET 30–90 terms.
Affiliate links & merch shelf
Amazon Associates, network commissions, Teespring/Fourthwall payouts. Different platforms, different statements.
Gifted cameras, lights, mics
PR gear isn't always free. Keep the brand, value, and whether content was required — your accountant may need it.
Patreon / membership platforms
USD payouts, platform fees, and any tier-based perks delivered to members.
Where it gets messy
The recordkeeping problems YouTubers actually hit.
YouTube doesn't send a Canadian tax slip.
AdSense income shows up in your bank account, but there is no T4A from Google. You report it from payout history.
USD payouts make the numbers messy.
Sponsorship and AdSense amounts land in USD at different exchange rates. Cadence saves the CAD equivalent on the day paid.
Sponsorship pipelines drag.
An agency may take 60–90 days to pay. Cadence tracks each deal from contract → invoiced → paid so nothing slips.
Gifted gear keeps showing up.
Free cameras, lights, mics and software keys arrive constantly. The brand, value, and whether content was required all matter for tax review.
One calm place for the business side.
Cadence is not a content tool, a media kit, or accounting software. It is the layer underneath YouTubers' work that keeps the record clean.
One ledger across every platform
Payouts, brand deals, gifted products, affiliate income — all in one place, not five spreadsheets.
GST/HST threshold tracker
Rolling 12-month view of your total taxable creator revenue against the $30,000 small-supplier threshold.
Records that hold up to review
Receipts, contracts, screenshots, and notes saved with each entry. The CRA's Part XX rules mean creator income gets reported — clean records are the easiest defense.
Accountant-ready export
Income by type, brand deal summary, gifted product schedule, expense summary, GST/HST summary, and CSV. Send it to your accountant in one file.
What to track
The YouTubers recordkeeping checklist.
Use this as a starting point. Add what is specific to your channel and trim what does not apply.
- AdSense monthly payouts with USD → CAD conversion
- Channel membership, Super Chat, and Shorts Fund payouts
- Sponsorship invoices, contracts, deliverables, and payment status
- Affiliate commissions across Amazon, network, and merch shelves
- Gifted gear with brand, estimated value, and content-required flag
- Production expenses: camera, lighting, editing software, contractors
- Home office and internet portion used for the channel
- W-8BEN status and any US tax withholding on AdSense
Recommended reading
Guides written for YouTubers.
FAQ
Questions YouTubers ask.
Cadence helps you keep records — it is not tax advice. Always confirm with your accountant.
Do Canadian YouTubers need to file the income from AdSense?
Generally yes — AdSense earnings are self-employment income reported on a T2125 with your T1 return, even though Google doesn't issue a Canadian tax slip. Keep the monthly payout history and bank deposits as evidence.
Do I need to charge GST/HST on sponsorships?
It depends on your total taxable revenue and the buyer's location. Once worldwide creator revenue crosses $30,000 in a rolling 12 months you generally have to register. Sponsorships paid by Canadian brands are usually GST/HST-taxable; non-resident brands may be zero-rated. Your accountant can confirm.
What does the W-8BEN have to do with YouTube?
If you have not submitted a W-8BEN in AdSense, US-source ad revenue can be withheld at up to 30%. Submitting the W-8BEN with your Canadian tax info usually drops US withholding on YouTube AdSense to 0% under the Canada–US treaty.
Are gifted cameras and lights taxable?
Sometimes. If the gift was conditional on a post, story, or video, the CRA may treat the fair market value as business income. Keep the brand, value, contract status, and what happened to the item.
Can I write off my home studio?
You can generally deduct the business-use portion of your home for filming, editing, and admin — utilities, internet, a share of rent or mortgage interest. Keep square footage notes and bills.
Keep your YouTubers business organized.
Track payouts, deals, gifted products and records — all in one place.