Tax write offs for local drivers

And before people start quoting United States regulations, note this is in the Canadian fourm.

 

I’m home almost every day so I only claim 1 meal a day. Nothing else. Some guys I work with claim 3 a day. They’ll be screwed if they ever get audited. Don’t need to be greedy.

 

Plus I usually get free food from the restaurants.

 

I write off my flip flops...



err I mean steel toe boots!

 

First thing you want to make sure is that your company isn’t already giving you a tax break as reimbursement for meals.

Some companies (J&R Hall, Flying J Transport and others) used to pay you a portion of your milage rate untaxed. That tax break is to credit you for meals, so claiming at the end of the year is technically double dipping.

Local drivers have a deductibility rate of 50% and long haul has an 80% deductibility rate.

Cell phone was something I was claiming for a few years until the CRA challenged me on it and I lost. I was able to make a good case with all the work related calls I made, however the amount of data used for work purposes was something I couldn’t calculate. That’s all they needed to deny it.

I claim only meals. It’s not worth the hassle if you have to fight with them. You may also end up flagged in their system.

 

I'm assuming your company gives you a signed meal claim form?

 

In general, if you have out of pocket expenses to make your taxed money ,you can write it off. If the company reimburses you for any portion then not for that portion.
As far as meals, you are expected to have breakfast and supper at home.
I think after 12 hrs though you can claim 2 meals but you might want to check that.