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Home  ->  Ontario  ->   Personal tax credits -> Ontario Refundable Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit

Ontario Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit - Refundable - 2021 & 2022

Ontario Taxation Act, 2007, s. 103.0.3

This refundable tax credit was initially intended to be for the 2021 taxation year, and was introduced by the Ontario 2020 Budget.  The 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review extended this credit by one year to 2022.  This extension was included in Bill 43.

The intention of the credit is to support seniors who stay in their homes, by providing a tax credit for renovations or improvements that make their homes safer and more accessible.

Eligibility

bulletnot dependent on income
bulletcan be claimed for eligible expenses by
bulletsenior homeowners,
bulletsenior renters, or
bulletpeople who live with senior relatives, and are their "qualifying relation" as described in s. 251(6) or 252(2) of the Federal Income Tax Act.
bullets. 251(6) would include individuals connected by blood relationship, marriage or common-law partnership or adoption.  Blood relationships do not normally include aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, or cousins.  However, see 252(2)
bullets. 252(2) includes non-blood relationships, including aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces and nephews, as well as those of the spouse or common-law partner.  See Canada Revenue Agency S1-F4-C2, paragraphs 2.6-2.15.
bulletthe senior must be age 65+ at the end of the taxation year in which 

Qualifying Expenditures

Expenses which are paid, or become payable, in 2021 will be eligible, to the extent that they are for renovations that improve safety and accessibility, or enable a senior to be more functional or more mobile at home.

A qualifying expenditure is deemed to have been paid on the earlier of the date on which the expenditure was paid and the date it became payable.  Thus, if the amount became payable in 2020 but is not paid until 2021, it will not qualify.

Examples:

bulletrenovations that permit a first-floor occupancy or secondary suite for a senior
bulletgrab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower
bulletnon-slip flooring
bulletadditional light fixtures throughout the home and exterior entrances
bulletautomatic garage door openers
bulletmodular or removable versions of a permanent fixture, such as modular ramps and non-fixed bath lifts

Certain expenditures are not qualifying expenditures, such as

bulletannual, recurring or routine repairs, maintenance or services
bullethousehold appliances
bulletelectronic home-entertainment devices
bulletfinancing costs in respect of the qualifying expenditures
bulletcosts incurred for the purposes of gaining or producing income from a business or property
bulletcost of goods or services provided by a person not dealing at arm's length with the individual, unless the person is registered to collect GST/HST

Tax Credit

bullet25% of up to maximum $10,000 in eligible expenses for a senior's principal residence in Ontario, resulting in maximum $2,500 credit.
bulletMaximum can be shared by the people who share a home, including spouses and common-law partners.
bulletThe expenses paid are reduced to the extent that they are reimbursed, or are expected to be reimbursed, by a municipal, provincial or federal government.

The credit can be claimed if the improvement was made to the senior's principal residence or to a residence reasonably expected to become the principal residence of the senior within the 24 months after the end of 2021.

The credit could also be claimed for an individual's share of improvements done by a condominium corporation or similar body, to property that includes the senior's principal residence, provided the improvement meets the eligibility conditions.

Government of Ontario Resources

Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit

Revised: September 20, 2024