Deduction for tools (tradespersons)
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Deduction for tools (tradespersons)
If you were a tradesperson in 2020, use the following formula to calculate your maximum tradesperson's tools deduction for the cost of eligible tools you bought in 2020:
Maximum deduction for eligible tools is the lesser of:
a) $500
b) the amount, if any, determined by the formula
A − $1,245 where
A = the lesser of:
1. the total cost of eligible tools that you bought in 2020; and
2. your income from employment as a tradesperson for the year
plus the amount you received in 2020 under the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant programs;
minus the amount of any Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and Apprenticeship Completion Grant overpayments that you had to repay in 2020.
Example
In 2020, Karsten is employed as an electrician with ABC Company, and he needs to purchase additional tools for his job. He paid $2,500 for the tools he needed and he earned $45,000 in employment income in 2020 as an electrician.
He calculates his maximum deduction for eligible tools in 2020 as follows:
Maximum deduction for eligible tools is the lesser of:
a) $500
b) the amount, if any, determined by the formula
A − $1,245 where
A = the lesser of:
1. $2,500
2. $45,000
Karsten's maximum deduction for 2020 is the lesser of $500 and $1,255 ($2,500 − $1,245). Karsten claims a deduction of $500 at line 22900 of his 2020 income tax and benefit return.
Completing your tax return
Enter your claim on the Tradesperson's tools expenses line (1770) of Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses.
Forms and publications
- Date modified:
- 2021-01-18