Self-employed

Yes, your wife can claim expenses that she incurred while earning her self-employment income. She can claim many things that she used for work purposes, like supplies, home office expenses, car expenses, etc... If she used something for both work and for personal use, then she can only claim the business use portion.

This CRA webpage discusses business expenses in more detail: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/sole-proprietorships-partners...

 

In the case of her laptop, your wife my want to take Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) on it (as Class 50), rather that put the whole expense in at once. CCA allows you to claim the expenses over several years instead of all in one go. This CRA webpage has more information on CCA: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/sole-proprietorships-partners...

 

 

In terms of where in TurboTax to put the expenses, this depends on which version of TurboTax you are using.

In TurboTax Online, use the “Find” (magnifying glass) tool and search for “self”. Then select “Self-Employment” from the list and click on the “Go” button to get back to the self-employment section. As you Continue through that part of the Interview, you’ll see different sections dealing with expenses, home office expenses, motor vehicle expenses and CCA.

 

In TurboTax CD/Download Easy Step Mode, use the “Find” (magnifying glass) tool and search for “business”. Then select “Businesses” or “Business Income” from the list and click on the “Go” button to get back to the self-employment section. As you Continue through that part of the Interview, you’ll see different sections dealing with expenses, home office expenses, motor vehicle expenses and CCA.