What are Input Tax Credits?

Input Tax Credits are the amount that your business paid, or the allowable portion of the GST you paid.  They allow you to recover GST you paid out on business purchases or expenses.  You must be registered for the GST to use Input Tax Credits.  Once you have done this you need to start keeping track of the GST you have paid and enter it into your bookkeeping system.  As with all expenses you need to keep all your receipts to support your claims.

What qualifies as Input Tax Credit?

Some of the expenses that you can claim as Input Tax Credits include:

• Rent
• Equipment Rentals
• Advertising expenses such as business cards, ads and flyers
• Accounting, legal and other professional fees
• Home office and motor vehicle expenses
• Office expenses including postage, computers, pens etc.
• Travel including hotels, airfare, car rentals

These capital expenses also qualify:

• Capital property
• Machinery and vehicles
• Furniture and appliances
• Improvements to capital property

You can only claim Input Tax Credits for anything related to your business not for personal expenses.  The purchase or expense must also be what the CRA deems reasonable in nature as well as cost.  You cannot claim Input Tax Credits on:

• Taxable goods and services bought or imported to provide exempt goods and services
• Some capital property
• Memberships or dues to any club whose main purpose is for recreation – this includes fitness clubs, golf clubs and hunting and fishing clubs unless the membership is bought to resell in 

For more information a full list is available on the CRA website