Tax deductions you should be aware of

Tax Deductions you should be aware of

Tax deduction is a way to reduce taxable income that lower downs a person's or an organization's total taxable income and tax burden

A tax deduction is a way to reduce taxable income that lowers a person's or an organization's total taxable income and tax burden. Deductions are costs incurred by a taxpayer during the year that can be applied to or deducted from their gross income to determine the amount of tax owing. This can immensely improve the profit of the company or the money left to reinvest in the business. If you own a business in Canada, you can deduct some business costs to reduce your tax bill. However, there are a handful of cautions. Business costs must be fair, and you can only claim the business component of any item if it is allowed as per tax law.

Capital cost allowance (CCA)

Deductible capital expenses, account for Areas A to F of Form T2125.This is basically the business component of any major expense you incur. Vehicles, office equipment and furniture, computers, and other types of capital goods are all eligible.

Part 7 allows you to claim a capital cost allowance (CCA) for your home office, but tax experts advise against it. When you claim CCA for your home office, you are basically removing that component of your home's tax-exempt status.

Business-use-of-home expenses

The most prevalent tax write-offs for small enterprises in Canada are home office costs. With the increasing rents of properties across the globe, home offices are the best way to manage a good proportion of business expenses. You may claim a variety of costs if you work from home, whether in a spacious office inside your apartment or a studio apartment which is both your office and home. You can deduct:

  • Mortgage interest on your house

  • Utilities

  •   Property taxes

  • Repairs and maintenance

  • Home Insurance

  • Internet, Telephone, Furniture, Computers, Office equipment, Mobile devices

Automobile Expenses

To compute motor vehicle expenses, such as maintenance and operating costs, interest on a car loan, or lease payments if you have leased a vehicle, you would utilise charts A, B, and C on form T2125 of the tax law.

The expenses which are considered for deduction are as follows:

  • Gasoline and oil

  • Interest on a car loan if you buy a car

  • Insurance

  • Licensing and registration fees

  • Maintenance and repairs fees

  • Leasing charges (if you lease)

One of the most common methods to claim deductions is for vehicle expenditures. As a result, there is thorough scrutiny by the Canada Revenue Agency of this specific deduction. The Canada Revenue Agency requires you to keep an accurate logbook to prove when the automobile is used for work and pleasure.

You can deduct a percentage or all of your media advertising expenditures depending on the medium.

  • Online Advertising: Online advertising is tax-deductible as a whole. This covers the cost of registering a domain name and hosting a website.

  • Television and Radio Advertising: For Canadian stations, television and radio advertising is fully deductible.

  • Magazines and newspapers: Both are completely deductible, but only in certain circumstances.

At least 80% of the material in the magazine or newspaper must be journalistic in character in order to deduct 100% of the expenditures. Only half of the costs can be written off if the journalistic content is less than 80% in nature.

Research & Development tax credits

Tax credits for research and development (R&D) allow firms to deduct R&D expenses from their profits. R&D is considered an investment tax credit, which can ultimately lower your income tax burden and also add value to your business. It's one of the ways the federal government encourages Canadian businesses to innovate and progress.

 

Meals and Entertainment

You may deduct most costs that assist your small business produce revenue as a small business owner. Business costs might include meals and entertainment, which are 50% deductible. In addition to office supplies, which are 100% deductible. You may deduct 50% of the expense of taking a customer out to dinner and to a baseball game. Just remember to save all receipts. You will have to prove the business component of expense in order to avail the maximum benefit.

 Donations

Donations will earn you money at tax time. The actual amount is determined by how much you donated during the tax year. In certain situations, you may be able to recoup nearly a quarter of your donation.

Individuals and organizations can benefit from a variety of tax perks that can help them lower their overall tax burden. These advantages may take the form of tax credits, deductions, or tax exemptions or exclusions. These advantages are a more substantial aspect of government-imposed tax regulation or law. To raise profit on hand and promote business success, one should take advantage of all tax deductions available.