Tax court of Canada | Taxation
INCOME TAX
Expenses incurred to perform pro bono services not deductible
Appeal by taxpayer from reassessment by Minister. Taxpayer was lawyer who was member of bar in Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts. In 2009, taxpayer was employed by corporation. Taxpayer filed income tax return under Income Tax Act (Can.), for 2009 taxation year. Taxpayer reported that he earned no business income and he incurred business expenses of $10,520. Minister disallowed expenses in total amount of $8,242 for continuing legal education courses, travel, meals, office, supplies, and telephone. Appeal dismissed. There was no evidence on which it could be concluded that taxpayer had law practice. Positions which taxpayer held as director of corporation were offices. Taxpayer was limited to deductions permitted by s. 8 of Act. There was no provision in s. 8 that would allow taxpayer to deduct costs of his continuing education courses and related travel and meal expenses from his office and employment income. Expenses taxpayer incurred to perform pro bono services were not deductible.
Jamieson v. R. (Feb. 18, 2013, T.C.C. [Informal Procedure], Valerie A. Miller J., File No. 2011-3994(IT)I) 225 A.C.W.S. (3d) 860.
