Here’s Your Financial Roadmap for Setting Up Your Chiropractor Clinic

Launching your own chiropractic clinic is a big step – and an exciting one. You’re ready to help people move better and feel better. But there’s one thing that often causes new clinic owners sleepless nights: money.

From licensing fees to sales tax rules to making sure your business stays profitable; there’s a lot more to running a successful chiropractic clinic than adjusting spines. Whether you’re a new grad dreaming of your own practice, or a seasoned chiropractor wanting to go solo, here’s a look at what you need to know to keep your clinic – and your finances – healthy.

Understand Your Income Streams

A chiropractic clinic’s revenue comes from more than just adjustments. Depending on your clinic model, your income might include:

  • Manual adjustments — The hands-on treatments patients know and love.
  • Orthotics and custom supports — Prescribed devices to support posture or biomechanics.
  • Diagnostic imaging — X-rays or other scans done in-house.
  • Physical rehab services — Add-on treatments like exercise therapy.
  • Supplements and retail products — Vitamins, health devices, foam rollers, and more.
  • MVA or WCB claims — Payments from insurance programs after injuries.
  • Government program funding — Such as MSP or Veterans Affairs reimbursements.
  • Rental income — Fees from other practitioners sharing your space.

Each of these income sources has its own tax and reporting considerations. For example, chiropractic treatments themselves are GST/HST exempt in Canada, but many other services and products you offer may not be.

Watch Out for Sales Tax Rules

One area that can trip up clinic owners is GST/HST and PST:

  • Chiropractic adjustments are GST/HST exempt.
  • Many other services (like massage therapy, kinesiology, or consulting) are taxable and require charging GST/HST.
  • Retail product sales (like supplements, orthotics, and devices) generally require GST/HST to be charged and remitted.
  • PST may also apply to products sold in BC, depending on your annual revenue from taxable goods.

Understanding when to charge sales tax—and when you’re exempt—is essential to avoid CRA surprises down the road.

Set Up Your Clinic’s Accounting the Right Way

From day one, you’ll need:

✅ A business structure (sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation). Many chiropractors choose to operate under a Health Professional Corporation (HPC) for tax deferral benefits and liability protection.

✅ Registration with the CRA for your business number, payroll accounts, and GST/HST if required.

✅ Reliable accounting software. We often recommend Xero and Hubdoc for easy receipt tracking, bank reconciliations, and automated reporting.

✅ Clinic management software like Jane App, which connects scheduling, billing, insurance claims, and payment processing—all integrated with payment gateways like Stripe.

Good systems save you hours of admin time and help avoid costly mistakes, especially when dealing with third-party payers and insurance remittances.

Planning for Growth

A successful clinic doesn’t just survive—it grows. Whether you want to expand services, hire additional practitioners, or upgrade equipment, sound financial planning is key. Create a realistic budget, monitor cash flow, and watch your KPIs so you’re ready to seize new opportunities.

Need Help Starting Your Chiropractic Clinic?

Our Chiropractor Clinic Playbook covers essential financial, tax, and regulatory guidance for chiropractic practices across Canada, with special notes for British Columbia where applicable.

Ready to get the full guide and take the guesswork out of running your clinic?

[Download the Playbook Here →]

At Virtual Heights Accounting, we specialize in working with professional service firms like chiropractic clinics. From tax planning to bookkeeping to KPIs, we’re here to help you navigate the numbers so you can focus on helping patients feel their best. If you have any issues signing up for the Playbook, please email us at info@vhaccounting.ca. Book us for a call here: https://vhaccounting.ca/clinic-accounting/.