This home accessibility tax credit may help reduce the amount of tax you owe.
You may qualify for this credit if you are 65 years of age or older, or have a disability. It can help cover permanent modifications that make your home safer and easier to live in. The credit is claimed on your income tax return and may help reduce the amount of tax you owe.
Who Can Get It?
- People who are 65 or older
- People with a disability
- Family members like a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, or sibling who help someone who is 65 or has a disability may also be able to claim the credit
Which Homes Count?
- The home must be in Canada
- The person who needs help must live there
What Changes Count?
You may reduce the amount of income tax you owe by making permanent changes to your home, like:
- Installing handrails on both sides of staircases
- Making doorways wider
- Building wheelchair ramps at entrances
- Putting in a walk-in shower or bathtub
- Lowering counters and sinks
- Installing stair lifts or elevators
- Converting a ground floor room into a bedroom and bathroom
- Adding special lights or alarms
NOTE: The cost of the materials, as well as the cost of the labour when the work is professionally installed, may be eligible for an income tax credit.
How Much Tax Credit Can You Get?
- You can claim a tax credit for 15% of what you spend, up to $20,000 each year, on your income tax return.
- This tax credit lowers the amount of income tax you have to pay.
- For example, if you spend $10,000, you get a $1,500 credit toward the income taxes you owe.
What Doesn’t Count?
- Buying things that aren’t part of your house, like TVs or appliances
- Regular repairs or cleaning
- Changes that are done to simply increase the value of the home
- Work done by family members
What Do You Need to Do?
- Keep all bills and receipts
- Make sure the receipts show what was bought, who did the work, proof you paid and are dated
- When you complete your federal income taxes, input your tax credit on line 31285 (this number is 15% of your total expenses, to a maximum of $20,000)
How your asrTrust plan may also help
- Your asrTrust plan covers some medical devices that make your home safer, like bathtub rails and bathroom grab bars.
- These items can help prevent falls and make bathing easier.
- If you need these devices, a prescription is required by Greenshield.
- Using your plan for these devices can help with costs not covered by the tax credit.
If you have questions, ask a tax professional for help.
