Can I claim a Laptop / notebook as an education expense under certain conditions?

Question

Hello,

Can I claim a laptop as an expense when I file my taxes if the full time post-secondary program that I am attending REQUIRES me, as in made mandatory by the school, to purchase a laptop either from them OR I purchase my own with their minimum hardware requirements.

I'm pretty sure that you normally can't claim it as an expense, but I was wondering since the school makes it mandatory for you to have one for your program if that plays a factor.

Answer 1

No you can not.  Most scholls also make it mandatory to have textbooks (also not deductable).  It's just part of the cost of going to school.  Quebec has started to offer a credit to students for textbook costs based on the number of months attending school.

Answer 2

ok

Answer 3

No.

However, if you are selp-empoyed for providing some sort of services to other people.  You may claim CCA of your laptop as your business expenses and it become deductible from your business income.

Answer 4

No, to be deductible it would have to be required that you purchase it from the school (not the bookstore) as a condition of attending.   The situation you describe is not deductible.