As a real estate investor, especially if you are also in the trades, or a medical professional, you likely spend a fair amount on professional attire. Naturally, a common question I hear is, “Can I deduct work clothes on my taxes?” While it seems reasonable—after all, these purchases are often necessary for maintaining a professional image or for safety—the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) doesn’t quite see it that way. In this video, I break down why most business attire is considered a personal expense, the few exceptions where deductions may apply, and how employer-provided uniforms or protective clothing fit into the equation. Before you add those receipts to your tax file, watch the video to ensure you’re making the right claims.
Video Transcript: Can you deduct your work clothes on your taxes?
A sore point for many people is that, as a result of their work, they require what I’ll call nice clothes.
I’m George Dube, saving the world from tax, one bow tie at a time®.
And whether that’s a dress, skirt, suit, blazer, shoes, etc., the question, of course, is: Can I deduct these somehow and get some tax benefit because I have to wear these clothes for the purpose of earning income?
The answer from Revenue Canada, unfortunately, is no in the vast majority of cases. A couple of small exceptions exist, but otherwise, they consider these costs personal expenditures.
I haven’t quite found the section that allows deductions for bow ties. I’m sure it’s there—I just haven’t found it yet. I’ll report back when I see something.
What I can tell you is that if you require protective clothing, such as safety shoes or special eyewear, those may be deductible. Additionally, if your employer provides a distinctive uniform or safety clothing, those amounts don’t have to be included in your income, provided everything is handled properly. There’s a little bit that can be done with clothing, but as you can tell, not nearly as much as we’d like to see.
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Check out the next video in the series.
I want to help you do wonderful things®.
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Resources
For additional resources related to how to maximize tax deductions, see:
- 2025 tax season tips: How to save more this year
- Claiming employment expenses in Canada
- Claiming medical expenses in Canada
- Personal Tax Checklists
- Tax checklists for business owners: How to use them all year
More questions on maximizing your tax deductions?
Still have questions? I want to help you Do wonderful things®, so please contact me today.
Remember – circumstances are unique! This information is summary in nature. Seek out advice from your tax advisor about your specific situation.
