Copywriter
Tax guide for Canadian copywriters and marketing content specialists
Allowable Expenses
- Home office — Proportional share of rent, utilities, internet, and home insurance
- Writing & design software — Adobe CC, Grammarly Premium, SEO tools, Canva Pro
- Client research tools — SEMrush, Ahrefs, keyword research subscriptions
- Professional memberships — Marketing associations, copywriting guilds
- Portfolio website — Domain, hosting, website builder subscription
- Client entertainment — 50% of business meals or coffee meetings with clients, within CRA guidelines
Tax Tips
- Website costs for your professional portfolio are fully deductible — domain, hosting, and design
- Track client-specific travel (site visits, briefings) separately from personal travel with a mileage log
- Software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscriptions are immediately deductible — not capitalised
- Courses on copywriting or persuasion are fully deductible if they improve your current skill set
Frequently Asked Questions
Are copywriting courses deductible in Canada?
Yes — courses that improve your skills for your existing copywriting business are fully deductible on T2125. This includes copywriting masterclasses, persuasion psychology courses, and marketing training.
Can I deduct design software like Adobe CC as a copywriter?
Yes — if you use Adobe CC, Canva, or similar tools in your copywriting work, the annual subscription is fully deductible as a business software expense.