Tax Deductions for Painters

Some deductions that may be available to painters include:

• Travel between building sites, including travel between home and primary site if you are carrying bulky equipment such as tins of paint and brushes;

• Memberships to unions and professional associations;

• Cost of purchasing, maintaining and laundering protective clothing such as smocks;

• Outdoor protection items such as sunglasses and sunscreen if working outdoors, as well as wet weather gear;

• Tools and equipment (deductible if less than $1,000 or depreciable if over $1,000) as well as any costs incurred to insure them;

Painters may also be entitled to general tax deductions that are not work specific, such as investment deductions or car expenses deductions.