This is a general list of business expenses for small businesses. Click on the linked business expenses in the list to be taken to pages with more information about using that particular business expense as a tax deduction.
Note: This list of business expenses is not inclusive. If the item you’re thinking of using as a business tax deduction isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean it’s not a legitimate business expense. Check with your accountant or with the CRA if you’re in doubt about the tax deduction potential of a particular business expense.
Business Expenses
- Accounting & Legal fees (related to business activities)
- Advertising expenses
- Automobile expenses
- Bad Debts
- Bank Charges
- Business Taxes & Business Licenses
- Collection Agency fees
- Conference and Convention fees
- Expert Advice (consultant fees, for instance)
- Interest expenses (on money borrowed to run your business)
- Insurance expenses (for buildings, machinery or equipment)
- ISP fees (business use)
- Membership Dues (for business-related organizations)
- Meals and Entertainment expenses
- Office Rent expenses
- Office Supplies expenses
- Postage & Courier expenses
- Private Health Service Plan (PHSP) premiums
- Promotion expenses
- Property Taxes
- Repair & Maintenance expenses
- Salaries of employees – including salaries of family members
- Telephone/Telecommunications expenses
- Travel expenses
- Utilities
Business Expenses and Tax Deductions Especially for Home-Based Businesses
Employer-paid premiums for Canada or Québec Pension Plan contributions, Employment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, and sickness, accident, disability or income insurance plans are also tax deductions.
When you are working with business expenses as tax deductions, you will also want to know about Capital Cost Allowance. This page of "Tax Strategies To Maximize Your Business Tax Deductions" explains how to make the most of your Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) tax claim.
