Tax Time: Claim Up to $5,000 Without Receipts
Claiming Without Receipts
As tax time approaches, it is important to ensure you are claiming all the deductions you are entitled to.
Some expenses can be claimed without needing to keep physical receipts, provided you can explain how the amount was calculated.
Here are five types of deductions that may be available to you—no receipts required.
1. Laundry – Up to $150
You may claim up to $150 for washing, drying, and ironing work-related clothing without needing receipts.
This applies to:
Protective clothing
Uniforms that include business logos
Occupation-specific garments
Please note that dry-cleaning expenses are not included in this claim.
2. Small Work-Related Expenses – Up to $200
Expenses for individual items that cost $10 or less—such as stationery and office supplies—can be claimed without receipts, up to a total of $200.
Although receipts are not required, you must keep a written record including:
The item purchased
The place of purchase
The date of purchase
The cost of the item
The date the record was made
3. Small Charity Donations – Up to $10
Cash donations of $2 or more to charity collection buckets can be claimed up to $10 without a receipt.
For any donation amount above $10, a receipt is required in order to make a claim.
4. General Work Expenses – Up to $300
Work-related expenses that are not connected to vehicle use, travel, or special allowances may be claimed up to $300 without receipts.
You must still be able to show:
What the expense was
How it directly relates to your employment
5. Vehicle Use – Up to 5,000 Kilometres
You may claim up to 5,000 kilometres of work-related vehicle travel using the set cents-per-kilometre method.
The current rate is 88 cents per kilometre, allowing a maximum deduction of $4,400. This rate includes all vehicle-related expenses such as:
Fuel
Registration
Servicing and maintenance
Insurance
Depreciation
Although you do not need receipts, you must be able to explain how you worked out the number of kilometres travelled for work purposes. This could include using a diary, log, or written notes.
Stay Organised
To make tax time easier in future, consider photographing your receipts and saving them to your secure digital storage. This helps avoid lost or faded receipts and ensures your claims are supported if ever reviewed.
Need help preparing your tax return? Reach out to discuss your circumstances and ensure you are claiming all available deductions.
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