Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit

As a senior 65 years or older in Ontario, you could qualify for a tax credit to help with the cost of making your home safer and more accessible.

 

About the credit

 

The Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit is a permanent, refundable personal income tax credit for seniors and family members who live with them. If you qualify, you can claim up to $10,000 worth of eligible home improvements on your tax return. The amount of money you get back for these expenses is calculated as 15 per cent of the eligible expenses you claim. For example, if you spend and then claim $10,000 worth of eligible expenses, you could get $1,500 back.

 

The Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit can help with the costs of improving safety and accessibility in your home. Explore the interactive house below for examples of changes you could make.

 

Do I qualify?

To qualify for the credit, you need to be:65 years old or older by the end of the year for which you are claiming the credit; or living with a family member who is a senior

Your income doesn’t matter — seniors and their family members at all income levels are eligible.

 

Family members

If you are living with a senior relative in your home, you could qualify for a total tax credit of up to $1,500 every year, regardless of income.

How do I get the credit?

You have to claim your total expenses on your personal income tax return. To do this, you will have to complete Schedule ON(S12) of your tax return and put the amount you spent on eligible renovations next to box 6311 on form ON479.  

For the 2012 tax year: you can claim expenses related to work billed for between October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

For tax years 2013 and after: each year, you can claim expenses related to work billed for in that year.

What expenses qualify for the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit?

Not all renovation work qualifies for this tax credit. Before you start any improvements, check to see that the work qualifies so you can claim the expense.

Some examples of eligible expenses include:

• certain renovations to permit a first-floor occupancy or secondary suite for a senior
• grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower
• handrails in corridors
• wheelchair ramps, stair/wheelchair lifts and elevators
• walk-in bathtubs
• wheel-in showers
• comfort height toilets
• widening passage doors
• lowering existing counters/cupboards
• installing adjustable counters/cupboards
• light switches and electrical outlets placed in accessible locations
• door locks that are easy to operate
• lever handles on doors and taps, instead of knobs
• pull-out shelves under counter to enable work from a seated position
• non-slip flooring in the bathroom
• a hand-held shower on an adjustable rod or high-low mounting brackets
• additional light fixtures throughout the home and exterior entrancesswing clear hinges on doors to widen doorways
• creation of knee space under the basin to enable use from a seated position (and insulation of any hot-water pipes)relocation of tap to front or side for easier access
• hands-free taps
• motion-activated lighting
• touch-and-release drawers and cupboards
• automatic garage door openers

For more information about the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit, call:

1-866-ONT-TAXS (668-8297)

http://www.ontario.ca/taxes-and-benefits/healthy-homes-renovation-tax-credit