Some Weird Small Business Deductions

So, the holidays are over and you’re adding up your books (you’d BETTER be adding up your books-tax time is coming!). You know full well to add up your monthly income and common deductions like EI and CPP for your employees. But what are some deductions that you may have missed that could be costing hundreds of dollars? Here are some weird small business/self employed deductions that may never have occurred to you.

  • Cost of replacing materials. If you’re a writer/artist/photographer, etc and you need to buy new equipment, you can claim the new piece as a tax deduction. Even repairs can be deducted! Feel a little better about that new laptop now? (I know I do!)
  • Utilities/Telephone. If you work at home, you can claim a small percentage of your utility bills as business expenses (after all, you need power, heat and phone or internet to work!) Keep track of each bill because you may see a bit of it coming back to you.
  • Pet food. Did you know that if your animal is a service animal or are outdoor animals which guard your livelihood in some way, you may be able to deduct the cost of feeding the animals?
  • Child care. Even if you work at home and farm out the little monkey to a daycare or babysitter, you may be able to deduct the costs as a business expense so long as you worked while the kid was away.
  • Trips. If you headed off to a convention on entrepreneurship or on something related to your business, you may be able to deduct a good portion of your costs.
  • Transit passes. Don’t drive to see your clients but take the bus instead? Buy monthly passes, keep the receipts and claim them. Anyone can take advantage of this green friendly deductions, not just business owners.
  • Charity. Donating to others not only feels good, but can give you a good deduction come tax time.
  • Home maintenance. If you put in a new office for your business, new furniture, new plumbing, new power or something else that improves your business, you will be able to claim the expenses on your taxes. Neat huh?
  • Moving. If you’re moving to get closer to business opportunities, you can claim the move as a deduction. And don’t forget your pets! You can also claim expenses related to them such as pet carriers, vaccinations and having to pay deposits on hotel rooms
  • Erm… enhancements. That’s right, if you work in the… entertainment… business, you may be able to deduct a fairly busty amount from your taxes. But you have to show that the enhancements actually helped your work.

In short, keep receipts from anything even remotely related to your small or self-employed because you just never know when a small pile of minor expenses can add up to a solid deduction on your taxes this spring!  If you’re unsure, you could always ask a qualified Canadian accountant or even get more specialized and search through specialty regional websites for the exact thing you want such as Halifax tax planning.

Some Weird Small Business Deductions by
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