Need to make your home caregiver-ready? There’s help

As we age the way we interact with our home changes. For caregivers this can present one of two problems – either they need to modify their own homes to accommodate an older person in care, or they need to help that person make accessibility changes to their home.

Fortunately, there exist a few programs across Canada to provide financial relief for people who make age-related modifications to their home.

Federal:

Home accessibility tax credit (HATC)

For 2016 and subsequent tax years, you can claim a non-refundable tax credit for eligible expenses incurred for work performed or goods acquired for a qualifying renovation of an eligible dwelling of a qualifying individual.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns360-390/398/398-eng.html

British Columbia:

Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

The Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities assists eligible individuals 65 and over and persons with disabilities with the cost of certain permanent home renovations to improve accessibility or be more mobile at home.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/seniors-renovation

New Brunswick:

New Brunswick Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit

Seniors 65 years or older in New Brunswick  can qualify for a tax credit to help with the cost of making their home safer and more accessible.

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/finance/promo/renovation.html

Ontario:

Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit

Seniors 65 years or older in Ontario can qualify for a tax credit to help with the cost of making their home safer and more accessible.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/healthy-homes-renovation-tax-credit