It’s tax time again and while we are not tax experts there are a few tax tips we want to share with Canadian truck drivers. Regardless if you prepare your own taxes, or hire a professional it is best that you have some basic understanding of the process of filing your personal income tax.

Know the Government Changes and Additions to Claims

Every year there are some changes and additions to what individuals can claim. Even if you hire someone to complete your taxes for you, you should be aware of these changes. For the 2015 tax year, the Canadian Government has put together some new tax relief measures. To find out what these changes are and to see if you are eligible to claim them, check out “What’s New for this Tax-filing Season”.

Understand Your Write-Offs

If you’re like most people you have a shoe box or an envelope, even a cubby in the truck full of receipts that need to be sorted. It’s time to sort them out and keep only what you need for tax purposes. Don’t know what you can write off? Check out our article, Do You Know What You can Write-Off on Your Taxes? It details everything that you can claim as an Employment Expense.

You will then need to fill out tax form T777 to claim these expenses when filing your taxes. Your employer should have included a copy of the form with your T4 that outlines any contributions they have made towards these expenses.

Claiming Your Meals

Canadian truck drivers can claim 80% of $17.00 per meal for a maximum of 3 meals a day that they are working. You’ll have to sit down with your log book and tabulate how many meals you can claim for the year. The process is a bit slow but worth it. For more information on how to calculate your Meal Allowance check out our article, Time to Tally Your 2015 Meals.

You will need to fill out tax form TL2 to claim your meals while filing your taxes. Your employer should have included a copy of the form with your T4 that outlines any contributions they have made towards these expenses. For more information on claiming the Meals and Lodging expense check out the Government of Canada website.

Remember that you must file your tax return on or before April 30, 2016.

Your employer should have included a copy of the form with your T4 that outlines any contributions they have made towards these expenses.