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Business Expense Categories

A question that business owners ask themselves is “What expenses are deductible?”. There is often a desire to have a list of business expense categories that they can refer to and be safe in knowing that what they are claiming as an expense is legitimate. The risk, of course, of getting it wrong is a tax audit by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that results in denied expense, interest, and penalties.

The CRA provides a brief a business expense list that has categories of expenses. The list of typical business expenses on its website. The list includes the following:

  • Advertising
  • Allowance on eligible capital property (note that this has changed recently)
  • Bad debts
  • Business start-up costs
  • Business tax, fees, licenses and dues
  • Business-use-of-home-expenses
  • Capital Cost Allowance
  • Delivery, freight, and express
  • Fuel costs (except for motor vehicles)
  • Insurance
  • Interest charges
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Management and administration fees
  • Meals and entertainment
  • Motor Vehicle expenses
  • Legal, accounting, and other professional fees
  • Prepaid expenses
  • Office expenses
  • Other expenses
  • Property taxes
  • Rent
  • Salaries, wages, and benefits
  • Supplies
  • Telephone and utilities
  • Travel

The list is not an exhaustive list of how a business expense can be categorized and accountants will have other categories for certain expenses. However, just because an expenditure seems to fit into one of the listed categories doesn’t mean that it is deductible. There are other pre-conditions and limitations that apply to all expenses generally before they are deductible. There are also specific limitations on certain types of expenses. In practice, this means that figuring out whether or not an expense is deductible can be difficult, and it takes more than just fitting an amount into a business expense category.

The starting point for any business income (or property source of income) expense deduction is the idea of “profit”. What expenses have to be taken away from revenues to determine how much profit a particular business made or a property produced. When making this initial determination, we have to remember that HST/GST is not something you can deduct as part of the expense if you are a HST/GST registrant and claim Input Tax Credits. HST/GST and Input Tax Credits are something we will consider in a different article. Once these two initial rules are considered things get more complicated.

This article is part of a series that is here to help business owners figure out whether or not an expense is deductible for income tax purposes. The next two articles in this series will take you through the most common Income Tax Act limitations on expense deductions for business and property income. Although the articles are providing a more detailed guide than most they, like for all things in life that are complicated, cannot provide an answer for your particular circumstances or for all cases. Always consult with a tax professional to see what expenses are deductible, when, and to what extent in your own circumstances.

About the Author

pro-tip

Pro Tip

ACCESSING THE SMALL BUSINESS DEDUCTION IN YOUR BUSINESS

The Small Business Deduction gives businesses a tax deduction on the first $500,000 of income. This saves an eligible corporation around up to $50,000 in income taxes. There are a number of conditions that have to be met to be eligible for this deduction.

Delina Tekle
Delina Tekle
4 days ago
Great help from Faris CPA. I had an initial consultation with Mr. Faris. He provided a perfect tax advice. I was confident with his advice and decided to hire his firm. Sam did not disappoint me. His services were second to none. His fee is reasonable as well comparing to other 2 firms that I consulted with.
IKRAM HUSSAIN
IKRAM HUSSAIN
6 days ago
Supper knowledgeable with tax matters with the cra.
I was referred to Sam by a family friend who has dealt with him during a tax audit. Sam help me out to resolve my audit with the CRA. He was prompt in replying and have high business standards. Sam responded to the unfair proposal letter by the CRA and was able to convince CRA that their tax numbers are incorrect. He submitted to the CRA a very sophisticated package which was perfectly backed up and reconciled. As a result of Sam submission, CRA accepted his package with no question asked. Many thanks to Sam and his team. Muhammad ikram Convenience store
M “Moss” T
M “Moss” T
6 days ago
Sam and his team helped me to correct my corporate books as a result of the previous accountant sloppy and carless accounting and bookkeeping. He was able to file amended corporate tax returns plus amended personal tax returns under the voluntary disclosure program in a very short of time. He saved me lots of money with his brilliant tax planning and all around creative tax and accounting strategies. I am grateful to his help. His fee is reasonable considering the quality of work that he provided. Don't waste your time by hiring another firm or a tax lawyer. Sam can do it all to your satisfaction.
Asmeret
Asmeret
6 days ago
Excellent work with respect to a very complicated tax matter with the CRA. Very happy with the outcome. Thank you FARIS CPA with all your help.
Doris Malkowska
Doris Malkowska
10 days ago
Sam helped me and my family during a tough time with the CRA. He provided an amazing support and got us favorable results. Thank you Sam and will recommend you to friends and family.
Peggy Lipp
Peggy Lipp
13 days ago
We found Sam Faris over internet and trusted him with a complicated task and short timeframe. He submitted everything to our satisfaction and was accurate, fast responding, and detailed oriented. We are very happy to have trusted him. Thank you!
Asqeri Kasmi
Asqeri Kasmi
27 days ago
I had a meeting with Sam. He is an expert of the field and very professional. He provides the right solution and the respective plan and works diligently to complete his work on time. He and his staff of CA are experts of the field. Strongly recommended.
While I can’t provide details on my case and I usually don’t like to post Google reviews but I made an exception for Sam Faris. I absolutely recommend Sam to deal with any tax dispute with the CRA. He is efficient, creative and highly knowledgeable and experienced in successfully fighting the CRA. Many thanks Sam.
J Ballan
J Ballan
a month ago
Honestly you don’t need a tax lawyer to solve your tax problems with the CRA. Save legal fees and hire Faris CPA team. I hired the team and they handled a very complex audit. Their approach to the audit was second to none. The amount of work and in depth analysis provided to the auditor and his team leader was extremely helpful to reduce the tax bill to a point where I was super satisfied.
Nadeen Awad
Nadeen Awad
2 months ago
Sam Faris and his team helped me with a very complicated CRA audit. He was very aggressive with his approach and was able to reduce the tax bill big time. My life is back to normal now as CRA case is closed to my satisfaction. Many thanks to Sam and his team.
Sami Haddad
Sami Haddad
4 months ago
Excellent, well knowlegable team and efficient service. Thanks for all your help.
Rula Haddad
Rula Haddad
4 months ago
Excellent service..
Atifa Lattif
Atifa Lattif
4 months ago
Sam Faris and his team helped me with a very complicated audit by the CRA.their approach and the way my case was handled was beyond my expectations.he saved me from getting a significant tax bill and more importantly CRA was convinced with Sam argument and accepted his submission and my case is closed now. I did not have to go through objection and pay more fee and live restlessly anymore.I highly recommend Sam and his team.
Abe Matar
Abe Matar
5 months ago
Thanks you Sam for all your help. You made the work process very easy to us.
Melika Ardestani
Melika Ardestani
5 months ago
He’s very professional and gave me a lot of advice about taxes and my tuition at university. I highly recommend him!
Hudaynazar PETIYEV
Hudaynazar PETIYEV
5 months ago
Sam helped me to file my 10 years personal tax returns. He made the process super easy and stress free. CRA accepted the package with no single question asked. He is highly knowledgeable, down to earth and easy to deal with.
M G
M G
5 months ago
I interviewed 5 CPA firms before hiring Mr. Faris. During the initial assessment he was able to identify a huge mistake that CRA has done. He was able to perfectly communicate this mistake with me and explained how this mistake should be corrected. Mr. Faris assured me that the CRA will have to correct this mistake which will result in saving huge amount of taxes and penalties and interest. Mr. Faris worked around the clock including weekends to meet the pressing deadline. In summary, he met all his promises and of course did not disappoint me. All these sleepless nights worrying about the CRA are gone now and of course thanks to Mr. Faris who has changed my mind about the accounting and the tax profession forever.
Ana Miletic
Ana Miletic
5 months ago
The best CPA and tax firm in the country. Worked with so many CPA firms but Faris CPA is the best by far. Highly professional, knowledgeable, pays attention to details. His fee is very reasonable comparing to other CPAs. I highly recommend the firm.
Dusan Caricic
Dusan Caricic
6 months ago
Sam was able to sort out my US and Canadian tax returns as a result of errors made by my previous CPA. He was able to identify every little mistake on the returns and saved me taxes and penalties. I highly recommend Sam and his firm for all tax and accounting needs.
Tamara Dordevic
Tamara Dordevic
6 months ago
We approached Sam 10 years ago when CRA was auditing us and our business. Sam was able to handle the audit properly and resolved it to our satisfaction. Since then, Sam has been our family and business accountant. His service is reliable, professional and efficient. Also his fee is reasonable. I already referred to Sam family members and friends who are super happy with his services.
Gerda Saryte
Gerda Saryte
6 months ago
MR. Faris has given me a great advice and helped me through complicated tax issues with the CRA.
Petar Przuljevic
Petar Przuljevic
6 months ago
Sam Faris challenged CRA proposal regarding selling two of my properties. Sam was able to convince CRA that the sale of those properties was not business in nature and not subject to HST. His response was based on detailed analysis and supported with court cases. Many thanks to Sam for saving me money and the hassle with the CRA.
Sterling B
Sterling B
6 months ago
Sam is honest and highly responsive. He's a very hard worker and gets things done quickly. I can't recommend him enough.
Peter J
Peter J
6 months ago
I recently hired Faris CPA for a tax dispute with the CRA. Sam and his team were very professional and knowledgable in dealing with my concerns and tackled my issue head on. Their communication was particularly noteworthy as they answered all of my questions throughout the process in short time. Definitely recommended.
Brkovic Zorka
Brkovic Zorka
6 months ago
Sam Faris is a reliable and highly knowledgeable with what he does. Sam delivered a strong and convincing package to the CRA regarding my case. He worked tirelessly to meet a very tight deadline. He was able to object the CRA decision and knocked down the taxes significantly. I highly respect him on both personal and business levels. He is a man of his word. I will definitely recommend him to family and friends. Many thanks Sam.
Sam deserves all the 5 stars reviews that he already received. He has done an amazing job with regards to my case with the CRA.
Marko Krawcow
Marko Krawcow
6 months ago
By far one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had with a tax specialist. I can truly say this is the most professional and hardworking person I have ever met. He spared no time getting to work, not only was he extremely efficient but a great communicator. If you’re looking for someone to help you figure out your finances, message Sam. I have no regrets, only wish I had done this sooner.
helene ghaleb
helene ghaleb
6 months ago
Working with Sam and his team for the last 7 years has been a pleasure. Their attention to details has been essential in assisting me to navigate complex tax and accounting matters. Sam and his team are always prompt in reply to my questions and fully dedicated to my file. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of top-notch accounting and tax support.
stjoseph cafe
stjoseph cafe
6 months ago
Lucky that I retained Faris CPA to deal with the CRA. I have no complaints whatsoever. My file was dealt with on a timely and efficiently basis. With the least cost.
CIFS Ottawa
CIFS Ottawa
6 months ago
The firm performed tax planning to my organization. I am very happy with the results and the performance.
Will Noja
Will Noja
6 months ago
I had a consultation with Mr. Fares last week and explained my issue with the CRA. Sam provided a great advice. Further he recommended not to hire a professional and pay money while he thought that I can handle the issues on my own. Obviously he looked at my best interest rather than to pay him more unnecessary fee. He is reliable and trustworthy and I would recommend him to anyone in need for this kind of services.
Sahar Ghantous
Sahar Ghantous
6 months ago
Sam helped me to resolve a serious audit with the CRA. Throughout the process, Sam demonstrated skills, knowledge and expertise in accounting and the tax rules. He was able to challenge the auditor and prove why her assumptions were inaccurate.
I feel safe and confident to have Sam and his team as my representative in any future tax and accounting related matters.
Jack
Jack
6 months ago
Thanks for your help, amazing service 👍
Danijela Sljukic
Danijela Sljukic
6 months ago
Working with Sam at Faris CPA was an excellent experience. His deep knowledge and professionalism made navigating a challenging audit with the CRA much easier. Sam was highly responsive, addressing all my concerns and guiding me through every step of the process. I'm very pleased with the service provided and would highly recommend Sam and the Faris CPA team to anyone in need of dependable accounting and tax support.
D C
D C
6 months ago
I recently worked with Faris CPA regarding my many years of outstanding personal and corporate tax returns. Sam has submitted all returns under the voluntary disclosure program, he was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain everything in detail. Thanks to his expertise, I felt confident in my decisions. I highly recommend Faris CPA, especially if you have the chance to work with Sam!
Sultan Solmaz
Sultan Solmaz
6 months ago
Excellent service. Super happy with the way my case with CRA was handled by Sam CPA and his team. CRA was auditing me personally and my business for many years. I involved Sam and he was able to stop escalation and avoid excessive taxes owing to CRA. I will absolutely recommend Sam for family and friends
Nadine Omary
Nadine Omary
7 months ago
Thank you Sam for all your help resolving my tax issue with the CRA. You delivered exactly what you promised during our initial phone call. You have delivered a quality work that the previous CPA could not deliver. Your fee comparing to other professionals are reasonable too. I will take absolutely recommend you to family and friends.
Sara Solène
Sara Solène
7 months ago
I had an amazing experience working with Faris CPA for my CRA needs. They really know the CRA processes and made everything so easy. They were super professional, always ready to answer my questions, and made sure everything was done right. I couldn't have asked for better help. Highly recommend their services for anyone dealing with the CRA!
I recently had the pleasure of working with Mr. Fares from Fares CPA Firm, and I must say that the experience was exceptional. Mr. Fares demonstrated a high level of professionalism and expertise that is truly commendable.
From the very beginning, Mr. Fares was incredibly attentive and responsive. He took the time to understand my specific needs and provided tailored advice that was both practical and insightful. His thorough understanding of the complexities of tax laws and financial regulations instilled confidence and trust.
His proactive approach and attention to detail ensured that all aspects of my financial situation were meticulously handled. He was always available to answer questions and provided regular updates on the progress of my financial matters.
I highly recommend Mr. Fares and his firm to anyone in need of top-notch accounting and financial services. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence make them a standout choice in the industry.
Nadine R
Nadine R
7 months ago
Sam has gone above and beyond in helping me complete my tax filings.

The praise he receives in all of these reviews is well-earned. Thanks again, Sam. I really appreciate the job you did.
Glass Gates
Glass Gates
7 months ago
Very good experience dealing with Sam Faris and his team. They helped me with a difficult time in my life by dealing with CRA audit. Throughout the process, they went above and beyond to provide detailed responses and analysis to the auditors. As a result, Sam and his team achieved the best results that I would have dreamt to have. Unlike what CRA proposed, Sam and his team were able to reduce taxes from 450k to 15k. Sam’s fee is very reasonable too considering the value that I received back. I highly recommend Sam Faris and his team.
C
C
8 months ago
Sam was absolutely amazing, I was in desperate need of urgent tax help with little time left and he managed to get everything done flawlessly in the last 2 weeks! He is incredibly thorough and honest in his work. Truly appreciate him! Thanks Sam!
Ellie B
Ellie B
8 months ago
I met with Sam seeking advice on how to approach a realestate transaction properly in order to prevent any future issues with CRA. Sam was very knowledgeable and helpful in guiding me in the right direction. He patiently answered all my questions and provided his expert advice. I am very happy to have come to him.
He is very honest, and not just after making a profit from his clients, but to genuinely help them. Thank you Sam.
Khaled Darwish
Khaled Darwish
8 months ago
I was referred to Sam Faris by a business partner who had an excellent experience before. I found that Sam and his team are experts with CRA issues and resolved my issue on timely basis. More importantly his fee is very reasonable. Many thanks and I will definitely recommend the firm to others.
Vrej Nersesian
Vrej Nersesian
8 months ago
Mr Faris helped me to resolve a very complicated audit with CRA. He came up with a brilliant strategy to win my case against CRA. Thank you Sam for all your hard work and I will recommend everyone who has issues with the CRA to hire your firm.
Shiraz Tufenkji
Shiraz Tufenkji
8 months ago
Sam Faris is very pleasant to deal with. I was referred to him by a well known tax lawyer in the city. After dealing with Sam and knowing his expertise with CRA disputes, I decided to fire the tax lawyer as Sam did it all and achieved the best results. I ended up wasting 15k in legal fees when I could have saved it if I met Sam before.
Sam was great. He really helped me with my situation. Highly recommend him. When its time sensitive, he's the go to guy.
Dallas Young
Dallas Young
8 months ago
Sam Farris is an exceptional CPA who provided outstanding service when I needed tax preparation assistance.

What sets Sam apart is his ability to clearly explain complex tax laws and financial strategies in easy-to-understand terms. He took the time to educate me on the implications of different options so I could make fully informed decisions. His proactive approach identified opportunities for tax savings that I hadn't even considered.

Sam is extremely responsive, accessible and genuinely cares about his clients' best interests. He made me feel like a priority and was always available to answer any questions I had, no matter how minor. The peace of mind this provides is priceless.
Sean E
Sean E
8 months ago
Sam is a pleasure to work with. He is efficient and diligent. He is very skilled when it comes to CRA and taxes. Highly recommended.
Nicole Calnan
Nicole Calnan
8 months ago
Sam Faris is fast and reliable and on top of tax topics. I am looking forward to his knowledgeable and competent support.
Alex G
Alex G
8 months ago
Excellent work from Sam with a difficult tax issue I had. Would definitely recommend his services!
Shahbaz Mirza
Shahbaz Mirza
9 months ago
Thank you Sam for all your help. I dont know what i would do without your help and support regarding my tax matter.
Manjunath Amaresh
Manjunath Amaresh
9 months ago
Sam Faris helped me deal with a tricky situation with the CRA involving taxes paid in the USA. He seems pretty knowledgable of both Canada and USA tax laws and regulations. During the initial phone call, he proposed a plan to address the situation, and didn't over-promise. In the end, the resolution was much better than what was initially proposed. Communication was timely and reliable. I'd gladly use his services again in the future if the need arises.
Mesut Atalay
Mesut Atalay
9 months ago
Second to none firm once it comes to accounting and tax issues with the CRA. I have tried to work with three professionals including a tax lawyer before approaching Sam Faris. Unlike Sam, they never met their promises. Sam met every single promise he made. His performance exceeded expectations. Don’t waste your money and time and hire Sam. He is super efficient, and highly knowledgeable with tax problems and will protect you from CRA with the least cost possible.
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