In New Brunswick, a side hustle that uses a business name registers it with Service New Brunswick within two months of starting ($112, including the Royal Gazette notice), charges 15% HST only after passing the $30,000 small-supplier test, and checks local permits for the use of a home. Employees are covered by a $15.90 minimum wage from April 1, 2026. This guide suits anyone in New Brunswick, in English or French, starting a service, selling goods, or picking up gig work.
It is part of the side hustle rules by province set. For depth, read registering a sole proprietorship, GST/HST registration, and side hustles for bilingual French-English speakers.
| Rule | New Brunswick answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business name | $112 ($100 plus $12 Royal Gazette), within two months; renew every 5 years for $62 | Service New Brunswick |
| Sales tax | 15% HST | CRA rate table |
| When to register for HST | Over $30,000 in taxable sales in a quarter or four consecutive quarters | CRA |
| General minimum wage | $15.90 an hour from April 1, 2026 | New Brunswick |
| Local permits | Set by each municipality | Fredericton, BizPaL |
Do you need to register a side hustle business name in New Brunswick?
If you use one, yes. Service New Brunswick’s business names guide says registration of a business name must be done within two months of starting business, costs $112 ($100 registration plus $12 for publication in the Royal Gazette), and must be renewed every five years for $62. The federal sole proprietorship page notes some sole proprietors using their own name do not need to register; confirm with Service New Brunswick if you plan to trade under your name.
Step 1: Pick a bilingual-friendly name if you serve both markets
Your name appears on invoices and in the Royal Gazette notice, so choose one you are happy to keep for five years.
Step 2: File the Certificate of Business Name within two months
Missing the two-month window is the most avoidable error.
Step 3: Check for your business number
The CRA lists New Brunswick among the provinces where a BN is issued automatically on provincial registration (When you need a BN).
When do New Brunswick side hustlers charge HST?
Only after passing $30,000. The CRA’s rate table shows New Brunswick at 15% HST. The small supplier rule means registration is required once worldwide taxable sales exceed $30,000 in a calendar quarter or four consecutive quarters. Rideshare drivers register from their first fare.
Illustrative example
A teaching sketch with assumed numbers. A Moncton tutor bills $1,600 a month for ten months: $16,000 a year, under $30,000, so no HST registration. If they register voluntarily, a $50 session becomes $57.50 with 15% HST, which matters if your clients are families who cannot claim the tax back.
Which permits do side hustles need in New Brunswick?
Local ones, which vary by municipality. Fredericton says it issues permits for the development, construction and use of residential as well as commercial properties, so ask the city before clients start visiting your home. Elsewhere, search BizPaL by location and business type.
Is there a minimum wage for gig app workers in New Brunswick?
Not a platform-specific one. New Brunswick’s wage page lists $15.90 an hour from April 1, 2026, for employees paid by salary, commission or piece work, adjusted with the province’s consumer price index. Independent contractors on delivery apps are paid on the app’s terms; food delivery pay in Canada shows how to measure it after costs.
What are the common New Brunswick side hustle mistakes?
- Missing the two-month registration window. Register soon after you start using the name.
- Forgetting the five-year renewal. It costs $62.
- Charging HST before registering. Only registered businesses add HST.
- Ignoring local use permits. Client visits to your home can change what the city expects.
Which tax rules apply to side hustles in New Brunswick?
Report profit on Form T2125 with your T1, pay both halves of CPP on net earnings, and New Brunswick income tax is calculated on the same return. Side hustle expense deductions covers what you can claim, including the registration fee. Wealthsimple Tax is one filing option that handles T2125.
This is not tax, legal, or insurance advice. Confirm the rules with Service New Brunswick, your municipality and the CRA.
Which guides sit next to New Brunswick side hustle rules?
Compare side hustle rules in Nova Scotia and side hustle rules in Quebec, or the province-by-province hub. For bilingual work, see freelance translation in Canada.
What are the common questions?
How much does it cost to register a business name in New Brunswick?
Service New Brunswick lists $112, made up of a $100 registration fee and $12 for publication in the Royal Gazette. Renewal is required every five years and costs $62.
When do I have to register my business name in New Brunswick?
Within two months of starting business under the name, according to Service New Brunswick's guide to the Partnerships and Business Names Registration Act.
What is the HST rate in New Brunswick?
15%, per the CRA's rate table. You only charge it once registered, which is required after $30,000 in taxable sales or from the first fare for rideshare drivers.
What is the minimum wage in New Brunswick?
$15.90 an hour from April 1, 2026, for employees. New Brunswick has no separate minimum for app-based delivery or rideshare workers.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- Partnerships and Business Names Registration Act: general information — Service New Brunswick
- Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership — Government of Canada
- When you need a BN — Canada Revenue Agency
- GST/HST calculator (and rates) — Canada Revenue Agency
- When to register for and start charging the GST/HST — Canada Revenue Agency
- Minimum wage, overtime and minimum pay for reporting for work — Government of New Brunswick
- Permits & Licenses — City of Fredericton
- BizPaL: business permit and licence information — Government of Canada and partners
- Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities — Canada Revenue Agency