Why therapists and clinics need different books
Payments from clients, insurers and sometimes the government, each on its own schedule, plus practitioners paid as staff or associates and rent shared between rooms. Sales tax works differently for health services, which trips up a lot of books.
What a bookkeeper for therapists and clinics keeps track of
- Payments from clients, insurers and benefit plans
- Associates' pay or splits
- Rent and shared costs
- Continuing education and licensing
- Sales tax rules for health services
In the US
- Health services usually aren't subject to sales tax.
- Associates you pay as contractors $2,000 or more in 2026 need a 1099-NEC.
- Payments from insurance companies can come with their own 1099s.
In Canada
- Most health services from regulated practitioners are exempt from GST/HST, so you don't charge it, and you can't claim it back on costs.
- If you also sell products or services that aren't exempt, those take GST/HST and costs are split between the two.
- Associates paid for services can need T4A slips.
What SumSwift does for therapists and clinic owners
- Exempt sales handled, with GST/HST credits only on the share of costs that's for taxable sales
- Insurer and government payments sorted, including OHIP, MSP and RAMQ remittances for physicians
- Associates' payments and slips
- Invoices made, emailed and chased in SumSwift, with a pay link your customers can use
- Every statement checked against the balances your bank printed, to the cent, with personal spending kept off your profit
- A year-end package and free access for your accountant