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Real Estate -> Interest expense re real estateIncome Tax Act s. 20(1)(c)Can I write off interest expense on money borrowed to purchase real estate?In general, interest expense which is incurred in order to earn income from business or property is tax deductible. If the interest is paid to a non-resident, it will still be tax deductible (but, see interest expense paid to non-residents). If you have borrowed funds to purchase real estate from which you will be earning income, the interest expense is deductible, but with restrictions if the real estate is vacant land. Interest on funds borrowed to purchase vacant land is not deductible, unless the land is earning income such as rental income. The deductions for both interest expense and property taxes for vacant land cannot exceed the net rental income earned from the land after all other expenses have been deducted.
Interest costs related to the construction, renovation or alteration of a rental property are considered "soft costs", for which there are special rules. For more information on this topic, see the Soft Costs topic in the CRA publication T4036 Rental Income Guide. The principal portion of loan payments is not a deductible expense. When depreciable assets such as buildings or machinery and equipment are purchased, capital cost allowance can be claimed. See also: Is rental income property or business income? Tax tip: If you purchase vacant land for future use, rent it out in order to enable the interest and property tax costs to be utilized as deductions, or as increases to the adjusted cost base of the land.
Revised: June 20, 2011
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