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. It reads the vendor, total, and GST/HST on-device and files it away, so a faded slip in your glovebox never costs you a write-off again.

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 keeps you tax-ready

  • On-device scanning. Receipt images are read on your iPhone — they never leave your device.
  • GST/HST captured. PKTD pulls the sales tax out of every receipt so input tax credits are easy.
  • Mileage tracking. Log business kilometres alongside the fuel and maintenance receipts that back them up.
  • Smart categories. Each expense is sorted automatically, ready to map to your tax lines.
  • 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 — PKTD stores them with the GST/HST already captured.
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 can claim input tax credits on eligible purchases — which means the GST/HST you paid needs to be recorded. PKTD pulls the tax out of each receipt automatically.

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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