... Insert witty remark here...

February 21, 2008 4:51 PM

CanadianTaxesFilter: Can I legally claim some of my debt as an "investment expense" if I give up my second job to focus on my business?

I currently work 2 jobs - one full-time as well as a part-time job to help bring down my debt. Whenever I have free time, I am trying to work on a business that I would like to develop, but there is not much time left at the end of the week.

So I would like to quit the part-time job and spend more time working on the business.

If I would have made about $10-$20K annually with the part time job, could I legally claim $10-$20 K of the debt (and associated interest) as an investment expense?

My rationale is that had I not decided to invest in the business, I would have time for my part-time job and thus would be $10K-$20K richer by the end of the year.

I guess I could always "borrow" $10-$20 K and then pay down $10-$20 K of my debt, so that on paper, I have this amount specifically tagged as a "business investment expense", but I would rather avoid all the paperwork associated with it and besides, I think I have maxed out all my cards!

Thanks!

posted by bitteroldman to work & money (5 comments total)

No.

And the tax people give you no extra credit for creative interpretation, sorry.
posted by 45moore45 at 5:17 PM on February 21

If the tax law allowed this, everybody would claim an extra deduction, because everybody has the potential to work more hours or get a second job. For example, I'm pretty sure I could have been a movie actor making $10 million last year, but instead I decided to develop my own business. Should I be able to deduct the $10 million I didn't make?

However, there may be legitimate opportunities to recoup some taxes if you decide to follow through with your business. You should probably discuss your situation in detail with a tax professional.
posted by blue mustard at 5:42 PM on February 21

No. In a nutshell, CRA is only interested in income earned and the (actual) expenses incurred to earn this income.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 6:13 PM on February 21

That $10k-$20k isn't a debt. It's an opportunity cost.
posted by acoutu at 8:04 PM on February 21

darn.
posted by bitteroldman at 8:41 AM on February 22