Vehicle Expenses and CRA: What You Need to Track
Vehicle expenses are one of the first things a reviewer asks about. A round number with no log is a weak claim.
What you actually need
For a motor-vehicle claim you typically need:
- A record of kilometres — business vs personal, with dates and why you drove
- Receipts for fuel, insurance, repairs, parking, and lease or loan costs
- The same story at year-end that you lived during the year
CRA publishes the current optional per-kilometre rates each year. Those rates are not a substitute for a log. They are a rate applied to kilometres you can support.
Two honest methods
Some people claim a share of actual costs (business km ÷ total km). Some use the prescribed per-kilometre rate. Mixing them carelessly, or reconstructing a year from memory, is how claims get reduced.
Log the trip when you park. Keep the fuel slip with the rest of the shoebox. Mileage and receipts belong in the same pack.
This is not tax advice. Confirm the method and the current rate with your accountant or CRA.