I don't think people really realize how much a company saves (or doesn't) when it "writes something off". You basically take the amount and deduct it from your revenue What's left over is your taxable income (ie, it's income tax, not revenue tax). Your income then gets taxed at 23% generally in Alberta (Federal + Provincial rates combined).
Meals & Entertainment like Flames tickets are also only 50% deductible. Something like your employee's salary, printer paper, etc...normal business expenses would be fully deductible.
If you spend $1000 on paper, you would "save" $230 in taxes. The business is still net out of pocket $770. If you spend $1000 on Flames tickets, you'd "save" $115 in taxes, or be out of pocket $885.
The write off doesn't mean you get anything for free, just makes things slightly less expensive. And a profit motivated business is better off reducing the expenses, not spending more to save on taxes.
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