If work exspenses are tax deductible, can I claim gas money?

Question

gas is an expense, that I wouldnt need except for work

Answer 1

If you are self-emplyed, you can claim the expenses for your work.  That would include all gas, maintenance, oil, etc.

If you are not self-employed, I think you'd have to prove that a car was absolutely required for you to be able to perform your duties (ie you were a delivery driver using your own vehicle).  You can't just claim gas to get to and from work.

If you ARE eligible to claim auto expenses, you ahve to either keep detailed records of all expenses incurred, and of mileage driven for both work and personal use.  If you don't want to keep all your receipts, you can just keep detailed records of your mileage and use the CCRA mileage rate for that tax year.  I think it runs around $.40/km depending on what province you live in.

Answer 2

If your company provides you with a T2200 Conditions of Employment, and it clearly states that you provide your own car and it is needed to preform your work duties (EXCLUDING the drive to and from work).  Then yes your gas is deductible.

You can not claim deductions for the time spent going to and from work.

You will need to keep a log of all travel done for Business purposes, including the KM traveled.  On your tax return you prorate the total KM's traveled in the year with your car to the Business portion.  That is the % of you GAS, Repairs and Maintenance, Lic fees, Insurance etc you can claim as a deduction for tax purposes.

Answer 3

The government gives taxpayers a tax credit called Canada employment credit of $1 000 (Just increased in 2007 from $250) for things such as your commute costs.  This works out to a whole savings of $150 in taxes ($1 000 * 15%[lowest tax bracket rate]).  Therefore since we get this credit we cannot deduct the commute costs.  

This info. is only applicable to an individual.  If this individual has a company, or is a sales employee (ex. real estate agent), they can deduct the costs such as gas against their employment income.

But normal joe's like me and you (probably), can't deduct gas! :(

Answer 4

If you have business income or if you have a corporation that carries on a business, you may deduct the cost of fuel in your vehicle to the extent that you are using the vehicle to earn income in your business and as long as it is reasonable. (as per section 18 of the Income tax act Canada). That being said, a business owner cannot deduct the cost of fuel for getting from his home to his office where he conducts his business, nor can he to get back to his home from his office. The only fuel that a business owner may deduct of course is the fuel used to drive from work to a client/customer, back to the office etc., never between the office and home, only between customers and/or other business related locations. It further follows, if you are a T4 wage earner, ie. you work for an employer and you are an employee, you cannot therefore deduct the cost of fuel used in your car to get you from your home to your work location and back home again after you work.

Answer 5

You have several answers above, but the bottom line is that an employee can NOT deduct the cost of commuting to work, including gas.  It is explicitly denied in the taxation rules.

Nor can a self employed person deduct the cost of travelling from home to their normal work location.

Gas costs for work travel over and above the mileage to get to and from home are deductible under very strict rules.

Answer 6

I think only if you are in sales and you need your car to perform your duties. But I'm no expert.

Answer 7

You cannot claim the gas that you use to get yourself to and from work but I think you can claim it if you travel during your job if you don't get paid for mileage

Answer 8

I would think you can. I am about to start my own business and thinking how to reduce the tax too. I think anything related to the company can be reported as work expense can be reported to get it tax deducted.

But if you are an employee to a company, I think only the company can report the deductible not you. If you own your own company then you can report.

Answer 9

No You cannot deduct gas expense. The gas that you spend to get to and back from work is not deductible. However, on the job, if you have to go around in your car paying for gas from your pocket then that amount will be deductible. Hope that helps :)