The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit based on eligible expenses for improvements to your house, condo or cottage. It can be claimed on your 2009 income tax return.

It applies to work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010 under an agreement entered into after January 27, 2009. Therefore it is only available for the 2009 tax year.

Eligible expenses for goods acquired during this period, even if they are installed after January 2010, will still qualify. If an eligible expense involves work performed by a contractor or a third party, and the work is not completed by the end of the eligible period, only the portion that is completed before February 1, 2010 will qualify even if a payment has been made.

The HRTC applies to eligible expenses of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum non-refundable tax credit of $1,350 [($10,000 ? $1,000) × 15%].

Eligibility for the HRTC is family based. Eligible family members include you and your spouse or common-law partner, and your or your spouse’s or common-law partner’s children who are under 18 years of age at the end of 2009 (other than a child who, at any time during the eligible period – after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010 – was married, was in a common-law relationship, or had a child).

The claim can be split among eligible family members but the total amount claimed cannot exceed the maximum allowable.

If two or more families share the ownership of an eligible dwelling, each family can claim its own credit (i.e., each up to $1,350) that is calculated on its respective eligible expenses.

Important things to remember

You do not have to submit your supporting documents with your income tax and benefit return; however, you must ensure this information is available should the Canada Revenue Agency request it.

To avoid problems with your HRTC claim, make sure you:

• get your contracts in writing (www.hiringacontractor.com); and
• keep your receipts.

Eligible expenses must be of an enduring nature and be integral to the eligible dwelling. The cost of routine repairs, maintenance, and expenditures not integral to the dwelling are not eligible.

Examples of eligible expenses

• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
• New windows, doors, or flooring
• Building an addition, garage, deck, shed, or fence
• A new furnace, woodstove, fireplace, water softener, or water heater
• A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway, re-shingling a roof or painting of a house
• Landscaping – new sod, perennial shrubs and flowers, trees, etc.
• Swimming pools (permanent – in-ground and above-ground)
• Fixtures – blinds, shades, shutters, awnings, lights, fans, etc.
• Associated costs such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals, and incidental expenses

Examples of non-eligible expenses

• Furniture, appliances, tools, and audio and visual electronics
• Routine repairs, maintenance and cleaning (e.g., furnace cleaning, snow removal, lawn care, pool cleaning, house cleaning)
• Financing costs

View some examples of calculation

Tags: Credit, Home Renovation, Tax