PKTD for Trades

Best Expense Tracker for Contractors & Trades (2026)

Contractors and tradespeople spend all day buying materials, fuel, and tools — often in cash, often on thermal paper that fades before tax season. Every one of those purchases is a potential deduction, but only if you can still read the receipt.

PKTD lets you scan a receipt the second you walk out of the supply store. On-device OCR reads its text, and, with your consent, optional cloud AI can suggest the vendor, total, GST/HST, date, and category for review before a thermal slip fades in your glovebox.

What contractors and tradespeople can usually deduct

Tools & equipment
Hand tools, power tools, and equipment — smaller items are often expensed; larger purchases may be claimed through capital cost allowance.
Materials & supplies
Lumber, fasteners, fixtures, consumables, and anything billed through to a job.
Vehicle & fuel
The business-use share of your truck or van — fuel, insurance, repairs, and maintenance — plus travel between job sites.
Safety gear & PPE
Boots, hi-vis, hard hats, gloves, respirators, and other required protective equipment.
Subcontractors
Payments to subtrades and casual labour (keep invoices; T4A/T5018 reporting may apply).
Licensing & permits
Trade certifications, business licences, and job-specific permits.

How PKTD helps organize your records

  • On-device scanning. Receipt text is read on your iPhone with on-device OCR.
  • GST/HST review. With your consent, optional cloud AI can suggest the sales tax shown on a receipt for you to verify.
  • Mileage tracking. Log business kilometres alongside the fuel and maintenance receipts that back them up.
  • Reviewable categories. Choose or correct the category for each expense before using it in your records.
  • One-tap export. Hand your accountant a clean CSV instead of a shoebox of paper.

Contractors: frequently asked questions

Can I write off tools I buy for work?
Generally yes. Smaller tools are typically deducted as an expense in the year you buy them, while higher-value equipment is usually claimed over time through capital cost allowance. Keep every receipt and review any GST/HST field shown before using it in your records.
My receipts are fading. What can I do?
Scan them right away. Thermal paper fades, but a digital image taken at purchase preserves the detail. PKTD captures the image on-device the moment you scan.
Do I need to track GST/HST separately?
If you are registered, you may be able to claim input tax credits on eligible purchases, so the GST/HST paid needs to be recorded accurately. With your consent, optional cloud AI can suggest the tax shown on a receipt for you to review.

This page is general information, not tax advice. Deduction rules and limits change — confirm your situation with the CRA or a qualified advisor. See our disclaimer.

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