Employed apprentice mechanics

Even though you may have already claimed the tradesperson's deduction for tools, you may also be able to deduct a part of the cost of eligible tools you bought in 2016 to earn employment income as an eligible apprentice mechanic. This cost includes any GST and provincial sales tax, or HST, you paid.

You may be able to get a rebate of the GST/HST you paid. For more information, see GST/HST Rebate. When completing Form GST370, Employee and Partner GST/HST Rebate Application, see if Situation 6 applies to you.

You are an eligible apprentice mechanic if you:

• are registered in a program established under the laws of Canada or of a province or territory that leads to a designation under those laws as a mechanic licensed to repair self-propelled motorized vehicles (such as automobiles, aircraft, boats, or snowmobiles); and
• are employed as an apprentice mechanic.

As an eligible apprentice mechanic, you must first calculate the tradesperson's tools deduction, if any, that you qualify for. You may qualify for that deduction if you bought eligible tools for your job in 2016. You can then complete the calculation described in the section called Deduction for tools for an eligible apprentice mechanic to determine if you can also make this claim in 2016.

An eligible tool is a tool (including associated equipment such as a toolbox) that:

• you bought to use in your job as an eligible apprentice mechanic and was not used for any purpose before you bought it;
• your employer certified as being necessary for you to provide as a condition of, and for use in, your job as an eligible apprentice mechanic; and
• is not an electronic communication device (like a cell phone) or electronic data processing equipment (unless the device or equipment can be used only for the purpose of measuring, locating, or calculating).

Your employer has to complete and sign Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment. Have your employer complete question 12 of Part B of the form to certify that you bought and provided the tools you are claiming as a condition of your employment as an eligible apprentice mechanic. Attach to Form T2200 a list of the tools you are claiming, as well as the related receipts. You do not have to submit Form T2200, or your list of tools or receipts with your income tax and benefit return, but keep them in case we ask to see them.

For information on how to calculate your maximum deduction for the cost of eligible tools you purchased in 2016, see Deduction for tools for an eligible apprentice mechanic.

For information on what to do if you decide to sell any eligible tools for which you have claimed a deduction, see Disposition of tools.

Completing your tax return

Enter on line 229, the allowable amount of your employment expenses from the total expenses line of Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses.

Forms and publications

• Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment
• Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses
• GST370, Employee and Partner GST/HST Rebate Application

Related Topics

• Employed tradespersons

Date modified:

2017-01-04