Working from home? What can you deduct?

As increasingly more employers have required their employees to work from home those employees may not be aware of tax deductions made available to them. Canadian employees can deduct certain expenses they paid to earn employment income, but in order to qualify the employer must have required them to work from home or are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As an employee, you may be able to claim some of the following expenses:

• Home office expenses
  • This include utilities, internet, rent, etc
  • If you are a commissioned employee, you can also claim home insurance and property taxes
• Phone used for employment
• Office supplies
• Eligible vehicle expenses
• Employment travel

Additional deductible employment expenses and specifications can be found on Canada.ca (link below).

If you’re an employee claiming employment expenses, you keep all your documents and receipts in case the Canada Revenue Agency asks to see them at a later date, including a copy of Form T2200 (Declaration of Conditions of Employment) signed by your employer.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-22900-other-employment-expenses.html