can i deduct my laptop on my taxes in canada?

April 7, 2010 6:53 PM

can i deduct my laptop on my taxes in canada? i live and work in ontario, canada. i travel for work (approximately 6-8 months in total in a year) and generally my laptop is always required for presentations and software demos. i purchased my own last year. the laptop is 100% solely dedicated to work. i have 2 other computers at home for personal use.... so can i write it off? bonus points for how to do it using quicktax.ca
posted by chasles to Work & Money (4 answers total)

What kind of employee are you? Salary or contract. If contract, most likely yes. If salary, most likely no.
posted by saradarlin at 9:05 PM on April 7, 2010

Generally you can only claim office equipment etc. as a business expense versus your income in Canada if you are self-employed. Even if you are self-employed, you would capitalize and amortize the cost of something like a computer (or other purchases of $1000 or more) over three years. I can't remember the exact calculation, but if you buy a $1000 cpmputer you can claim $500 against tax the first year, then $350 the following year, then $150 the next, based on the declining value of this capitalized item.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:03 AM on April 8, 2010

What you're looking for is called capital cost allowance.
posted by mcwetboy at 5:48 PM on April 8, 2010

Salaried workers also have tax options

to deduct employment expenses, such as non-reimbursed travel costs or supplies, you need your employer’s acknowledgement that you were indeed required to pay those expenses. This requirement must be certified by your employer on Form T2200.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:01 AM on April 10, 2010