Every year, Halifax business owners leave money on the table simply because they don’t claim the deductions they’re entitled to. Whether you’re a contractor, consultant, retail shop, tradesperson, or service provider, these missed write-offs can add up to thousands in savings at tax time.
Here are the most commonly forgotten tax deductions for small businesses in Halifax — and how to make sure you don’t miss them this year.
1. Home Office Expenses
If you work from home at all, there’s a good chance you can claim a portion of your household costs, including:
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Internet
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Heat & electricity
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Rent or mortgage interest
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Property taxes
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Home insurance
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Maintenance & repairs
The deduction is based on the percentage of your home used for business. Many business owners skip this because they assume they don’t qualify — but most do.
2. Vehicle and Mileage
If you use your vehicle for business, track your mileage. CRA allows deductions for:
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Fuel
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Oil changes
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Insurance
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Parking
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Repairs & maintenance
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Lease or capital cost allowance
This is one of the biggest missed write-offs we see among Halifax service-based businesses and trades.
3. Cell Phone & Internet
If you use your phone or internet for work (and everyone does), you can claim the business-use portion.
Even 30–50% business use can create meaningful tax savings.
4. Meals & Entertainment (50%)
Taking a client for coffee?
Meeting for lunch?
Buying dinner during a business trip?
You can typically claim 50% of business-related meals and entertainment.
A lot of owners forget to keep receipts — or assume coffee meetings don’t count. They do.
5. Tools, Equipment & Supplies
Common for:
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Contractors
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Construction workers
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Mechanics
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Electricians
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Landscaping businesses
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Photographers
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Trades
These can be expensed or depreciated depending on the class. Many Halifax tradespeople underestimate what qualifies.
6. Software & Subscriptions
This includes:
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QuickBooks / Wave / bookkeeping software
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Adobe, Canva, Microsoft 365
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Industry-specific tools
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CRM platforms
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Cloud storage
If you need it to run your business, it’s usually a write-off.
7. Professional Services
Don’t forget:
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Bookkeeping
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Accounting
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Legal fees
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Consulting services
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Marketing or web design (yes—your website is deductible)
These are often missed simply because owners pay for them irregularly.
8. Advertising & Marketing
This includes:
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Website setup & hosting
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Google Ads
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Facebook/Instagram ads
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Business cards & signage
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Content creation
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Branding & design
Anything that promotes your business is usually deductible.
9. Insurance Policies
You can claim:
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Business liability insurance
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Errors & omissions
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Commercial auto insurance
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Home-based business riders
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Cybersecurity policies
Many Halifax small business owners overlook this because it’s not a monthly cost.
10. Education, Courses & Training
If it helps you run or improve your business, you can deduct:
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Online courses
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Industry training
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Conferences
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Certifications
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Books related to your field
11. Bank Fees & Payment Processing
Commonly forgotten deductions like:
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Stripe fees
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PayPal fees
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Square processing charges
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Bank service fees
If you accept payments, you’re probably incurring fees — and they’re all deductible.
12. Bad Debts (If You Use Accrual Accounting)
If someone never paid an invoice and you previously recorded it as income, you may be able to write it off as a bad debt.
Many owners forget this or don’t realize it’s an option.
Why These Write-Offs Matter
Missing even a few of these deductions can cost Halifax business owners hundreds to thousands every tax season — especially when HST and income tax are combined. Keeping clean bookkeeping throughout the year ensures you don’t lose legitimate savings.
