Another Tax Question

[wookie]

Am I able to claim my blackberry as a business expense? I dont own the company I work for but I did get my blackberry for convience working there. It is not a requirement but I probably would not of choosen a blackberry if I didnt work at this company. At the very least I probably would not of choosen an unlimited data plan if I didnt use it as much as I did for work related issues. As a cellphone I would probably of still had a monthly bill but I do use voice for work related phone calls as well. Is this something that I can claim / write off on my taxes? If I can is it just the purchase price of the blackberry or the month fees etc... Any advice is appreciated. I have also already submitted taxes for this year so if I can write it off will I be able to write off last year + this year on next years return (kinda confusing satement hope you understand what I am saying).... Thanks!

[kaycee8877]

if youre an employee of a company you really cant expense too much (more if you earn commission income however)

see CRA employment expense guide for details
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/t4044/t4044-05e.pdf

basically if you were required to pay expenses directly realted to you earning employment income then they technically should be deductible. From the above guide :

You can also deduct the portion of the airtime expenses for a cellular telephone that reasonably relates to earning your employment income. However, you cannot deduct amounts you paid to connect or license the cellular
telephone or the cost of fees for Internet service.

If you buy or lease a cellular telephone, fax machine,
computer, or other such equipment, you cannot deduct the
cost. Also, you cannot deduct capital cost allowance or
interest you paid on money borrowed to buy this
equipment.

and this should relate to any monthly charges for the blackberry as well

you cant deduct 2005 expenses on your 2006 return either .. youd have to file a T1 Adjustment to 'change' your 2005 return

and if you deduct such expenses, CRA requires you to have (although you dont have to file it unless asked) a signed T2200 from youre employer which states that said expenses are a requirement of the job

[gman]

Does your company require you to use that offically? That is if you don't have that, they will not hire you. If not, you can't deduct that against your salary income. If you are the one who chose to buy such thing to help you (instead of the company), you can't deduct that.

[wookie]

Does your company require you to use that offically? That is if you don't have that, they will not hire you. If not, you can't deduct that against your salary income. If you are the one who chose to buy such thing to help you (instead of the company), you can't deduct that.

thats what i figured... one of the people i work with said that he added it to his tax return but if he ever gets audited he would be in trouble for not filing correctly?

[gman]

thats what i figured... one of the people i work with said that he added it to his tax return but if he ever gets audited he would be in trouble for not filing correctly?

Well, there is always a possiblity. A lot of people who do not report all their income were not audited too. Do you want to take the chance?

[wookie]

Well, there is always a possiblity. A lot of people who do not report all their income were not audited too. Do you want to take the chance?

I would rather do it by the book. Dont want to take the chance but also if I could be using it as a write off I would of liked to :). Thanks for the information!