I Can Write Off My Entire Cell Phone Bill

Money Myths & Tax Facts Series – Ford & Associates

“My phone is used for work, so I can deduct 100% of the bill. Duh.”

You could—if your phone were surgically attached to your business and never, ever used to text your mom, scroll TikTok, or order Uber Eats.

But if you’re like the rest of us and your phone lives a double life, then no—you can't deduct the whole thing.

The CRA allows you to deduct the business-use portion of your phone bill—not the whole thing. That means if you use your phone 60% for business and 40% for personal stuff, you can only claim 60%.

And no, putting your client’s name in your contact list doesn’t make every call deductible. (

Estimate your business use (by time or data—whichever is more accurate)

Document your estimate (call logs, usage reports, reasonable notes)

Apply the percentage to your phone bill

Keep your receipts (and we don’t mean screenshots of your texts)

You can do this monthly or annually—but don’t just guess. CRA likes numbers, not vibes.

Don’t forget to separate:

Phone hardware (deducted over time as a capital cost if it's >$500)

Data overage charges from bingeing Netflix on the go (yep, those are personal)

😂 Tax Chuckle of the Week:

Q: Why did the CRA agent cross the road? A: To check if you used your cell phone for business while crossing.

✅ Ford & Associates Pro Tip:

Phones are essential—but so is knowing how to claim them correctly. If you're ever unsure of what percentage to use or how to track it, we're just a call (or text) away.

And yes, that call is deductible. 😎

📱 Want help claiming your phone like a pro—not a guesser? Let Ford & Associates guide you through it—no dropped deductions. Visit fordassociates.ca or book a consult today.