Feds follow through with final increase to meal tax deduction limit
OTTAWA, Ont. — The federal government has followed through with its promise to ramp up the tax-deductible portion of meal expenses for long-haul truckers to 80%.
The new meal tax deduction allowance took effect Jan. 1. The limit has been gradually increased each year since 2007 and brings the total in line with that enjoyed by American truckers.
“CTA is pleased that the Minister of Finance and the Government of Canada are continuing to honour their commitment, despite being under fiscal pressure,” said CTA CEO David Bradley. “The government deserves a great deal of credit for continuing to be responsive to the needs of the trucking industry and truck drivers in particular.”
To qualify for the tax deduction, drivers must be away for at least 24 consecutive hours and transporting goods beyond 160 km from home. The vehicle must have a GVW of greater than 11,788 kgs. The CTA worked alongside the Owner-Operators’ Business Association of Canada (OBAC) and other industry stakeholders to lobby for the increase in 2006-2007. Postcards were distributed through trade magazines including Truck News, urging the feds to ‘End Canada’s Lunch Bag Let Down.’ Thousands of the postcards were mailed to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
“CTA is proud of the role our 2006-2007 lobby campaign played in achieving this deduction,” said Bradley. “As some of the hardest working individuals in Canada, we are happy that long-haul truck drivers are benefitting from lower taxes as a result of CTA’s campaign.”
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.
haha……
80% of nothing is still nothing
The maximum claim for truckers without receipts is still $51.00 per day
so, 80% of 50 bucks is 40 bucks which after taxes is about $13.00 in your pocket and you still have to wait over a year to collect it. A CRA auditor collects over $85.00 if he has to work away from the office for 8 hours and gets the money in his pay cheque in 2 weeks at 100% of the total. The $51.00 maximum for truckers without receipts hasnt changed since 2006…… your the joker Bradley for claiming this as a great deal for long-haul truckers, 5 years without an increase is like the same I get from my employer….. the big nothing as well !!!
It is about time our government came to the realization that truck operators [what I call us!]… are fianlly reconized for something vital and critical to our lives!!! It did take a long tome I must say, when our American counterparts have had this for a while.