Expenses for Canadian TikTok and YouTubers on taxes

‍What Canadian content creators can (and can't) write off

Basic Setup Costs

These are the foundation of your content creation workflow.

• Camera, tripod, lighting
• Microphone and audio gear
• Laptop or desktop computer
• Editing software and subscriptions (e.g. Adobe Premiere, Final Cut)
• External hard drives and SD cards
• Office chair or desk (if primarily used for business)

If you buy gear that lasts more than a year, you’ll likely need to claim it as a capital asset and depreciate it over time, instead of writing it off all at once.

Home Studio or Workspace

If you work from home, you can claim a portion of your home expenses based on how much space and time you use for content creation.

• A percentage of rent or mortgage interest
• Utilities (electricity, internet, heat)
• Home insurance
• Maintenance and property tax

CRA may ask for a reasonable calculation, so keep notes on square footage and usage.

Ongoing Business Costs

Think of these as recurring expenses that help you keep the channel running.

• Monthly internet bill
• Website hosting
• Software subscriptions (Canva, Epidemic Sound, etc.)
• Cloud storage
• Mobile phone plan (if used for business purposes)

If you use these for both personal and business, you’ll need to split the costs accordingly.

Marketing and Promotion

Getting views and growing your audience is part of the job. You may be able to deduct:

• Paid ads (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Sponsored post fees or influencer collaborations
• Graphic design or branding services
• Freelancers hired for editing or thumbnails

Travel and Meals (Only If It’s Business-Related)

You can’t deduct a weekend getaway just because you vlogged it. But you can claim reasonable expenses if the trip is work-related.

• Flights and hotels for business trips
• Meals during travel (50% deductible)
• Mileage or car expenses if you drive to film on location
• Parking or public transit for business purposes

Documentation matters. Save your receipts and track your travel purpose.

Professional Services

Sometimes it helps to bring in experts. These are deductible too.

• Accountant or tax preparer
• Lawyer (e.g. for contracts or IP protection)
• Business consulting or coaching

Other Things to Consider

• Gifts and giveaways: If you buy products for contests or collaborations, you may be able to write them off as promotional expenses.
• Merch and branding materials: T-shirts, stickers, business cards—if they support the channel, they may be deductible.
• Bank and PayPal fees: Fees related to your YouTube income can also be claimed.

What You Can’t Deduct

• Clothing and makeup for on-camera use (CRA sees these as personal)
• Rent for your home if you don’t have a dedicated workspace
• Meals with friends or family that aren’t clearly business-related
• Most personal purchases, even if you feature them in a video

Final Note

YouTube income is taxable in Canada, even if it’s just a side hustle. The more organized you are with receipts, invoices, and records, the easier tax season will be.

If you're not sure what counts, it’s always worth checking in with a CPA who understands online income. The line between personal and business can get blurry fast—and CRA doesn’t take guesses.

References and Resources

Official CRA Links:

• Business Expenses Overview – CRA
• Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) – CRA
• Business Use of Home Expenses – CRA
• Advertising Expenses – CRA
• Meals and Entertainment – CRA

Reddit Discussions:

• r/PersonalFinanceCanada – YouTube Income and Taxes
• r/cantax – Self-Employment Income from YouTube
• r/canada – Making Money on YouTube
• r/CanadianInvestor – YouTube AdSense and Tax

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This is not legally binding tax advice. This is educational analysis. Say hello if you need help.

hello@taxesmadesimple.ca

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