Tips for Saving Taxes in Canada

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I reduce my income taxes?” Chances are you have, especially close to April 30^th, the due date for personal tax returns in Canada. This article explains how to reduce income taxes, by applying the 10 best tax tips for individuals:

1. Home Renovation Tax Credit

The home renovation tax credit (HRTC) applies to renovations made to your home after January 27, 2009. The HRTC is equal to 15% of the cost of renovations made, to a maximum of $10,000. The first $1,000 of renovation costs is not eligible for the HRTC. For a comprehensive list of the types of renovations eligible for the HRTC, Home Renovation Tax Credit Eligible Expenses

2. Child care expenses

Child care expenses include, but are not limited to, fees paid to a babysitter or nanny, daycare fees, costs for an after school program, PLASP fees, etc. They are deductible by the lower income spouse, even if the higher income spouse paid for the child care costs. The maximum amount of child care expenses that can be claimed is $7,000 for each child born in 2003 or later and $4,000 for each child born in 1993 to 2002.

3. Accounting fees

You can reduce your taxes, by deducting fees paid to your accountant for preparing your individual income tax return. The accounting fees paid may be deducted from investment income, rental income, or business income reported on your tax return. In all other cases, accounting fees are non-deductible.

4. Salespersons expenses

As a salesperson, you can deduct any reasonable expense that you incurred for the purpose of earning commission income. To support your expense deductions, you must complete form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment, and be required to pay for expenses related to your sales activities, as a condition of your employment.

5. Car expenses

Deducting car expenses is another answer to “How can I reduce my income taxes?” If you are required to use your personal car to carry out your employment duties, you can deduct expenses related to your car or vehicle. However, you must have a completed form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment, and be required by your employment contract to use your personal automobile. Only the business use portion of your car expenses can be deducted on your personal income tax return, which includes:

• Insurance
• Repairs and maintenance
• Lease costs (to a maximum of $800 + taxes)
• Capital cost allowance (i.e. tax depreciation, at a rate of 30% per year)
• 407 charges
• Parking fees

For information on whether it’s better to lease or buy a car for tax reasons, see Toronto Accountant Discusses Leasing vs. Buying Car

6. RRSP – “How can I reduce my income taxes in Canada?”

Contributions made to an RRSP are deductible from your income. The maximum amount that you can contribute to an RRSP for 2009 is $21,000. The 2009 RRSP contribution limit is calculated as follows: (18% x 2008 earned income, plus any unused RRSP contribution room from prior years). Any income earned inside an RRSP is tax free. However withdrawals from an RRSP are taxable to you.

If you’d like to know whether a TFSA or RRSP is better for you, see TFSA vs RRSP – Chartered Accountant Toronto Discusses Pros and Cons

7. TFSA

How can I reduce my taxes in Canada? Well, consider contributing to a tax free savings account (TFSA). A TFSA is an account in which any investment income earned is not subject to income tax. Unlike an RRSP, withdrawals from a TFSA are not taxable. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and high interest savings accounts can all be held inside a TFSA. In addition, the maximum annual contribution limit to a TFSA is $5,000. Note that contributions made to a TFSA are non-deductible. For further information on TFSA’s, see the Canada Revenue Agency’s website and also read TFSA vs RRSP – Chartered Accountant Toronto Discusses Pros and Cons

8. Spousal loan

Another way to reduce your tax bill is by making a loan to your spouse at the Canada Revenue Agency’s prescribed rate of interest, which is currently 1%. Your spouse could invest the loan proceeds in a business, high interest bearing investments, stocks, real estate, etc., and any income generated from those investments would be included in your spouse’s taxable income. The optimal amount of a spousal loan is equal to the amount that would equalize you and your spouse’s taxable incomes, after taking into account the investment income expected to be generated on the investments made from the loan proceeds. Making a spousal loan to a spouse who is in a lower income tax bracket is an excellent income splitting strategy, and is a perfect answer to your question of “How can I reduce my income taxes in Canada?”

9. Children’s Fitness Amount

The children’s fitness tax credit, a.k.a. children’s fitness amount, is a tax credit available to Canadian taxpayers who enrol their children in a physical activity program. The tax credit is calculated as 15% of the amount paid for a physical activity program. The maximum credit that can be claimed is $500. The receipt for your child’s physical activity program should say whether the program qualifies for the children’s fitness tax credit.

10. Public transit amount

As a Canadian taxpayer, you can claim a tax credit, known as the public transit tax credit, for amounts spent on monthly or yearly public transit passes. Eligible passes must be for one of the following:

• Busses
• Streetcars
• Subways
• Trains
• Ferries

11. Frequently Asked Questions on “How can I reduce my taxes in Canada?”

A) Question: Can I claim parking fees on my tax return?

Yes, you can claim parking fees on your tax return, under certain circumstances, including:

• You are self employed and earned business income
• You are an employee and paid for parking to visit a client, supplier, or in connection with your employment duties. Amounts paid for parking at your place of work are non deductible.
• You earned rental income during the year and were required to pay for parking in connection with your real estate activities

B) Question: Can I deduct interest paid on a loan to purchase stocks or other income producing investments?

Yes, you can deduct interest paid on a loan to purchase stocks or other income producing investments. The interest paid should be deducted on Schedule 4 of your personal tax return. For more information on tax efficient investing, please see How Do I Save Tax in Canada by Accountants in Oakville

C) Question: Can RRSP contributions reduce my income tax bracket?

Yes, RRSP contributions can reduce your income tax bracket. The amount of RRSP contributions that you must make in order to reduce your income tax bracket is equal to: Your taxable income before RRSP’s minus the threshold for the next lowest tax bracket. To find out what the threshold is for each income tax bracket, see What are the income tax rates in Canada for 2010?

D) Question: Which employment expenses can I deduct to reduce my employment income for tax purposes?

There are many employment expenses that you can deduct, as an employee, on your personal income tax return, including:

• Travel expenses (hotels, air fare and meals)
• Car expenses
• Office rent
• Union and professional dues
• Home office expenses
• Cost of supplies (includes cell phone air time and long distance charges)
• Salary paid to an assistant

For more information on deducting employment expenses, see How Do I Save Tax in Canada by Accountants in Oakville?

E) Question: I’m self-employed. How do I reduce my income taxes in Canada?

If you are self employed in Canada, there are many ways to reduce your income taxes in Canada, especially through tax write-off’s. For more information on reducing tax for self employed individuals, see How to save taxes for self employed in Canada?

F) Question: Are there ways to reduce corporate taxes in Canada?

Yes, there are many ways to reduce corporate taxes in Canada. For the best ways to reduce corporate taxes, watch my video How to save corporate taxes in Canada. Also, read my article 10 Best Tax Tips for Business Owners

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALLAN MADAN

CPA, CA

Allan Madan is a CPA, CA and the founder of Madan Chartered Accountant Professional Corporation. Allan provides valuable tax planning, accounting and income tax preparation services in the Greater Toronto Area.

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