When filing your Canadian business tax return, you will need to list new computer purchases in the proper Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) classes. This should include any computer hardware/software, mobile devices, fax machines, printers, or related equipment and software the company purchased during the tax year in question. 

For tax purposes, different types of office equipment and software depreciate at different rates, hence the different CCA classes. For example, applications software (such as Microsoft Office) depreciates at a rate of 100% per year, whereas systems software (such as Microsoft Windows) depreciates at a rate of 55% per year.

Why Software Depreciates at Different Rates

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers some types of software to be of an “enduring” nature, meaning it may continue to be used for several years and therefore depreciate more slowly. For example, software for large photocopiers and fax machines has a depreciation allowance rate of 20%. Custom software you have paid to have developed or customized for your business activities also might depreciate at a slower rate.

Applications software, on the other hand, depreciates at a rate of 100% for the following reasons:

Many applications are now wholly or partially cloud-based and require annual subscriptions.Desktop applications used for tax preparation or accounting typically require major changes from year to year and need replacing or updating.

Because they depreciate fully, such items often are deducted as expenses rather than as CCA assets. In addition to application software, many business users replace inexpensive mobile phones, laptops, or tablets every two years or so and record the entire amount as a business expense. There are no hard and fast rules for this, but for small amounts (less than $500) the CRA does not quibble with the practice. If you are in doubt, check with your accountant.

Additional Rules

A business can claim only half the CCA allowable for some assets in the year of purchase. This is commonly referred to as the half-year rule. For example, if in the current tax year you purchased some applications software for your business, you would be able to claim CCA on only half the cost of it—not all.

Also, CCAs are cumulative and do not have to be claimed in a given year. You can claim part of a CCA, all of it, or none of it. If your business has a low-income year, you can save your CCA deductions for a subsequent year when your income is higher and the deduction will be more worthwhile.

Classes and Rates

This chart lists and defines the different CRA CCA classes and rates for computer equipment and software:

Class Description Rate

8 Photocopiers and electronic communications equipment, such as fax machines and telephone equipment. Includes cell phones. The half-year rule applies. 20%

12 Computer application software (not systems software), including end-user applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, accounting software, tax preparation software, database programs, etc. Examples include Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. The half-year rule applies. 100%

46 Data network infrastructure equipment that supports advanced telecommunication applications. It includes assets such as switches, multiplexers, routers, hubs, modems, and domain name servers that are used to control, transfer, modulate and direct data. The half-year rule applies. Does not include office equipment such as desktop telephones, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, or property such as wires, cables, or structures. 30%

50 General purpose computer equipment and systems software for that equipment. This includes desktop computers, tablets, server computers, storage devices, monitors, disk drives, cables, printers, and pre-installed system software that operates these devices. It does not include equipment “used mainly” as electronic process control systems (PCS) or monitor equipment, electronic communications control equipment, systems software for PCS or communications control equipment, or data handling equipment (other than data handling equipment that is ancillary to general-purpose electronic data processing equipment). Systems software is core software that provides services to end-user software. It typically applies to operating systems software such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. The half-year rule applies. 55%

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

When filing your Canadian business tax return, you will need to list new computer purchases in the proper Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) classes. This should include any computer hardware/software, mobile devices, fax machines, printers, or related equipment and software the company purchased during the tax year in question. 

For tax purposes, different types of office equipment and software depreciate at different rates, hence the different CCA classes. For example, applications software (such as Microsoft Office) depreciates at a rate of 100% per year, whereas systems software (such as Microsoft Windows) depreciates at a rate of 55% per year.

Why Software Depreciates at Different Rates

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers some types of software to be of an “enduring” nature, meaning it may continue to be used for several years and therefore depreciate more slowly. For example, software for large photocopiers and fax machines has a depreciation allowance rate of 20%. Custom software you have paid to have developed or customized for your business activities also might depreciate at a slower rate.

Applications software, on the other hand, depreciates at a rate of 100% for the following reasons:

Many applications are now wholly or partially cloud-based and require annual subscriptions.Desktop applications used for tax preparation or accounting typically require major changes from year to year and need replacing or updating.

Because they depreciate fully, such items often are deducted as expenses rather than as CCA assets. In addition to application software, many business users replace inexpensive mobile phones, laptops, or tablets every two years or so and record the entire amount as a business expense. There are no hard and fast rules for this, but for small amounts (less than $500) the CRA does not quibble with the practice. If you are in doubt, check with your accountant.

Additional Rules

A business can claim only half the CCA allowable for some assets in the year of purchase. This is commonly referred to as the half-year rule. For example, if in the current tax year you purchased some applications software for your business, you would be able to claim CCA on only half the cost of it—not all.

Also, CCAs are cumulative and do not have to be claimed in a given year. You can claim part of a CCA, all of it, or none of it. If your business has a low-income year, you can save your CCA deductions for a subsequent year when your income is higher and the deduction will be more worthwhile.

Classes and Rates

This chart lists and defines the different CRA CCA classes and rates for computer equipment and software:

Class Description Rate

8 Photocopiers and electronic communications equipment, such as fax machines and telephone equipment. Includes cell phones. The half-year rule applies. 20%

12 Computer application software (not systems software), including end-user applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, accounting software, tax preparation software, database programs, etc. Examples include Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. The half-year rule applies. 100%

46 Data network infrastructure equipment that supports advanced telecommunication applications. It includes assets such as switches, multiplexers, routers, hubs, modems, and domain name servers that are used to control, transfer, modulate and direct data. The half-year rule applies. Does not include office equipment such as desktop telephones, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, or property such as wires, cables, or structures. 30%

50 General purpose computer equipment and systems software for that equipment. This includes desktop computers, tablets, server computers, storage devices, monitors, disk drives, cables, printers, and pre-installed system software that operates these devices. It does not include equipment “used mainly” as electronic process control systems (PCS) or monitor equipment, electronic communications control equipment, systems software for PCS or communications control equipment, or data handling equipment (other than data handling equipment that is ancillary to general-purpose electronic data processing equipment). Systems software is core software that provides services to end-user software. It typically applies to operating systems software such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. The half-year rule applies. 55%

Featured Video

Capital Cost Allowance for Depreciation

How to Calculate CCA (Capital Cost Allowance)

How to Claim CCA for Your Business Vehicle in Canada

CRA Allowable Business Expenses for Canadian Businesses

8 Small Business Tax Strategies to Reduce Income Tax in Canada

6 Home-Based Business Tax Deductions You Don’t Want to Miss

Canadian Income Tax and Your Small Business

The Rules for Entertainment and Meal Expenses on Canadian Income Tax

Claiming Expenses on Business Loss on Canadian Taxes

Canadian Income Tax Questions Answered (Small Business Canada)

How to Design Your Home Office on a Budget

CRA Gift Tax Rules for Employers

Motor Vehicle Expense Claims on Income Tax in Canada

How to File CRA Form T2125

The Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

Calculate Home Business Tax Deductions in Canada

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

When filing your Canadian business tax return, you will need to list new computer purchases in the proper Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) classes. This should include any computer hardware/software, mobile devices, fax machines, printers, or related equipment and software the company purchased during the tax year in question. 

For tax purposes, different types of office equipment and software depreciate at different rates, hence the different CCA classes. For example, applications software (such as Microsoft Office) depreciates at a rate of 100% per year, whereas systems software (such as Microsoft Windows) depreciates at a rate of 55% per year.

Why Software Depreciates at Different Rates

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers some types of software to be of an “enduring” nature, meaning it may continue to be used for several years and therefore depreciate more slowly. For example, software for large photocopiers and fax machines has a depreciation allowance rate of 20%. Custom software you have paid to have developed or customized for your business activities also might depreciate at a slower rate.

Applications software, on the other hand, depreciates at a rate of 100% for the following reasons:

Many applications are now wholly or partially cloud-based and require annual subscriptions.Desktop applications used for tax preparation or accounting typically require major changes from year to year and need replacing or updating.

Because they depreciate fully, such items often are deducted as expenses rather than as CCA assets. In addition to application software, many business users replace inexpensive mobile phones, laptops, or tablets every two years or so and record the entire amount as a business expense. There are no hard and fast rules for this, but for small amounts (less than $500) the CRA does not quibble with the practice. If you are in doubt, check with your accountant.

Additional Rules

A business can claim only half the CCA allowable for some assets in the year of purchase. This is commonly referred to as the half-year rule. For example, if in the current tax year you purchased some applications software for your business, you would be able to claim CCA on only half the cost of it—not all.

Also, CCAs are cumulative and do not have to be claimed in a given year. You can claim part of a CCA, all of it, or none of it. If your business has a low-income year, you can save your CCA deductions for a subsequent year when your income is higher and the deduction will be more worthwhile.

Classes and Rates

This chart lists and defines the different CRA CCA classes and rates for computer equipment and software:

Class Description Rate

8 Photocopiers and electronic communications equipment, such as fax machines and telephone equipment. Includes cell phones. The half-year rule applies. 20%

12 Computer application software (not systems software), including end-user applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, accounting software, tax preparation software, database programs, etc. Examples include Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. The half-year rule applies. 100%

46 Data network infrastructure equipment that supports advanced telecommunication applications. It includes assets such as switches, multiplexers, routers, hubs, modems, and domain name servers that are used to control, transfer, modulate and direct data. The half-year rule applies. Does not include office equipment such as desktop telephones, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, or property such as wires, cables, or structures. 30%

50 General purpose computer equipment and systems software for that equipment. This includes desktop computers, tablets, server computers, storage devices, monitors, disk drives, cables, printers, and pre-installed system software that operates these devices. It does not include equipment “used mainly” as electronic process control systems (PCS) or monitor equipment, electronic communications control equipment, systems software for PCS or communications control equipment, or data handling equipment (other than data handling equipment that is ancillary to general-purpose electronic data processing equipment). Systems software is core software that provides services to end-user software. It typically applies to operating systems software such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. The half-year rule applies. 55%

When filing your Canadian business tax return, you will need to list new computer purchases in the proper Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) classes. This should include any computer hardware/software, mobile devices, fax machines, printers, or related equipment and software the company purchased during the tax year in question. 

For tax purposes, different types of office equipment and software depreciate at different rates, hence the different CCA classes. For example, applications software (such as Microsoft Office) depreciates at a rate of 100% per year, whereas systems software (such as Microsoft Windows) depreciates at a rate of 55% per year.

Why Software Depreciates at Different Rates

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers some types of software to be of an “enduring” nature, meaning it may continue to be used for several years and therefore depreciate more slowly. For example, software for large photocopiers and fax machines has a depreciation allowance rate of 20%. Custom software you have paid to have developed or customized for your business activities also might depreciate at a slower rate.

Applications software, on the other hand, depreciates at a rate of 100% for the following reasons:

  • Many applications are now wholly or partially cloud-based and require annual subscriptions.Desktop applications used for tax preparation or accounting typically require major changes from year to year and need replacing or updating.

Because they depreciate fully, such items often are deducted as expenses rather than as CCA assets. In addition to application software, many business users replace inexpensive mobile phones, laptops, or tablets every two years or so and record the entire amount as a business expense. There are no hard and fast rules for this, but for small amounts (less than $500) the CRA does not quibble with the practice. If you are in doubt, check with your accountant.

Additional Rules

A business can claim only half the CCA allowable for some assets in the year of purchase. This is commonly referred to as the half-year rule. For example, if in the current tax year you purchased some applications software for your business, you would be able to claim CCA on only half the cost of it—not all.

Also, CCAs are cumulative and do not have to be claimed in a given year. You can claim part of a CCA, all of it, or none of it. If your business has a low-income year, you can save your CCA deductions for a subsequent year when your income is higher and the deduction will be more worthwhile.

Classes and Rates

This chart lists and defines the different CRA CCA classes and rates for computer equipment and software:

Class Description Rate

8 Photocopiers and electronic communications equipment, such as fax machines and telephone equipment. Includes cell phones. The half-year rule applies. 20%

12 Computer application software (not systems software), including end-user applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, accounting software, tax preparation software, database programs, etc. Examples include Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. The half-year rule applies. 100%

46 Data network infrastructure equipment that supports advanced telecommunication applications. It includes assets such as switches, multiplexers, routers, hubs, modems, and domain name servers that are used to control, transfer, modulate and direct data. The half-year rule applies. Does not include office equipment such as desktop telephones, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, or property such as wires, cables, or structures. 30%

50 General purpose computer equipment and systems software for that equipment. This includes desktop computers, tablets, server computers, storage devices, monitors, disk drives, cables, printers, and pre-installed system software that operates these devices. It does not include equipment “used mainly” as electronic process control systems (PCS) or monitor equipment, electronic communications control equipment, systems software for PCS or communications control equipment, or data handling equipment (other than data handling equipment that is ancillary to general-purpose electronic data processing equipment). Systems software is core software that provides services to end-user software. It typically applies to operating systems software such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. The half-year rule applies. 55%

Featured Video

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Featured Video

Featured Video

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  • Capital Cost Allowance for Depreciation

  • How to Calculate CCA (Capital Cost Allowance)

  • How to Claim CCA for Your Business Vehicle in Canada

  • CRA Allowable Business Expenses for Canadian Businesses

  • 8 Small Business Tax Strategies to Reduce Income Tax in Canada

  • 6 Home-Based Business Tax Deductions You Don’t Want to Miss

  • Canadian Income Tax and Your Small Business

  • The Rules for Entertainment and Meal Expenses on Canadian Income Tax

  • Claiming Expenses on Business Loss on Canadian Taxes

  • Canadian Income Tax Questions Answered (Small Business Canada)

  • How to Design Your Home Office on a Budget

  • CRA Gift Tax Rules for Employers

  • Motor Vehicle Expense Claims on Income Tax in Canada

  • How to File CRA Form T2125

  • The Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

  • Calculate Home Business Tax Deductions in Canada

Capital Cost Allowance for Depreciation

Capital Cost Allowance for Depreciation

How to Calculate CCA (Capital Cost Allowance)

How to Calculate CCA (Capital Cost Allowance)

How to Claim CCA for Your Business Vehicle in Canada

How to Claim CCA for Your Business Vehicle in Canada

CRA Allowable Business Expenses for Canadian Businesses

CRA Allowable Business Expenses for Canadian Businesses

8 Small Business Tax Strategies to Reduce Income Tax in Canada

8 Small Business Tax Strategies to Reduce Income Tax in Canada

6 Home-Based Business Tax Deductions You Don’t Want to Miss

6 Home-Based Business Tax Deductions You Don’t Want to Miss

Canadian Income Tax and Your Small Business

Canadian Income Tax and Your Small Business

The Rules for Entertainment and Meal Expenses on Canadian Income Tax

The Rules for Entertainment and Meal Expenses on Canadian Income Tax

Claiming Expenses on Business Loss on Canadian Taxes

Claiming Expenses on Business Loss on Canadian Taxes

Canadian Income Tax Questions Answered (Small Business Canada)

Canadian Income Tax Questions Answered (Small Business Canada)

How to Design Your Home Office on a Budget

How to Design Your Home Office on a Budget

CRA Gift Tax Rules for Employers

CRA Gift Tax Rules for Employers

Motor Vehicle Expense Claims on Income Tax in Canada

Motor Vehicle Expense Claims on Income Tax in Canada

How to File CRA Form T2125

How to File CRA Form T2125

The Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

The Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

Calculate Home Business Tax Deductions in Canada

Calculate Home Business Tax Deductions in Canada

Home

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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies