Canada Revenue Agency
www.cra.gc.ca
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Deduction for tools
If you were a tradesperson in 2008, use the following formula to calculate your maximum deduction for the cost of eligible tools you bought in 2008:
Maximum deduction for eligible tools is an amount not more than the lesser of:
a) $500, and
b) the amount, if any, determined by the formula
A - $1,019
where
A = the lesser of:
1. the total cost of eligible tools that you bought in 2008; and
2. your income from employment as a tradesperson for the year
plus the amount you received in 2008 under the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant program
minus the amount of any Apprenticeship Incentive Grant overpayments that you had to repay in 2008 .
Enter your claim on the Tradesperson's tools expenses line (1770) of Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses.
Example
In 2008, 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 2008 as an electrician.
He calculates his maximum deduction for eligible tools in 2008 as follows:
Maximum deduction for eligible tools is an amount not more than the lesser of:
a) $500, and
b) the amount, if any, determined by the formula
A - $1,019
where
A = the lesser of:
1. $2,500; and
2. $45,000
Karsten's maximum deduction for 2008 is the lesser of $500 and $1,481 ($2,500 - $1,019). Karsten claims a deduction of $500 at line 229 of his 2008 return.
Completing your tax return
Enter your claim on the Tradesperson's tools expenses line (1770) of Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses.
