Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit

Budget 2022 proposes to introduce a new Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit. The proposed refundable credit would provide recognition of eligible expenses for a qualifying renovation. A qualifying renovation would be one that creates a secondary dwelling unit to permit an eligible person (a senior or a person with a disability) to live with a qualifying relation. The value of the credit would be 15 per cent of the lesser of eligible expenses and $50,000.

Eligible Persons

Seniors and adults with disabilities would be considered eligible persons for the purpose of the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit.

Seniors are individuals who are 65 years of age or older at the end of the taxation year that includes the end of the renovation period.

Adults with disabilities are individuals who are 18 years of age or older at the end of the taxation year that includes the end of the renovation period, and who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit at any time in that year.

Qualifying Relations

For the purposes of this credit, a qualifying relation, in respect of an eligible person, would be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the end of the taxation year that includes the end of the renovation period and is a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew of the eligible person (which includes the spouse or common-law partner of one of those individuals).

Eligible Claimants

The Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit may be claimed by:

· an individual who ordinarily resides, or intends to ordinarily reside, in the eligible dwelling within twelve months after the end of the renovation period and who is:

· an eligible person;

· the spouse or common-law partner of the eligible person;

· a qualifying relation, in respect of an eligible person; or

· a qualifying relation, in respect of an eligible person, who owns the eligible dwelling.

Where one or more eligible claimants make a claim in respect of an eligible renovation, the total of all amounts claimed in respect of the qualifying renovation must not exceed $50,000. If the claimants cannot agree as to what portion of the amounts each can claim, the Minister of National Revenue would be allowed to fix the portions.

Eligible Dwelling

For the purposes of this credit, an eligible dwelling would be defined as a housing unit that is:

· owned (either jointly or otherwise) by the eligible person, the spouse or common-law partner of the eligible person or a qualifying relation in respect of the eligible person; and

· where the eligible person and a qualifying relation in respect of the eligible person ordinarily reside, or intend to ordinarily reside, within twelve months after the end of the renovation period.

An eligible dwelling would include the land subjacent to the housing unit and the immediately contiguous land, but would not include the portion of that land that exceeds the greater of ½ hectare and the portion of that land that the individual establishes is necessary for the use and enjoyment of the housing unit as a residence.

Qualifying Renovation

For the purposes of this credit, a qualifying renovation would be defined as a renovation or alteration of, or addition to, an eligible dwelling that is:

· of an enduring nature and integral to the eligible dwelling; and

· undertaken to enable an eligible person to reside in the dwelling with a qualifying relation, by establishing a secondary unit within the dwelling for occupancy by the eligible person or the qualifying relation.

A secondary unit would be defined as a self-contained dwelling unit with a private entrance, kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping area. The secondary unit could be newly constructed or created from an existing living space that did not already meet the requirements to be a secondary unit. To be eligible, relevant building permits for establishing a secondary unit must be obtained and renovations must be completed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which an eligible dwelling is located.

One qualifying renovation would be permitted to be claimed in respect of an eligible person over their lifetime.

Renovation Period

For the purposes of this credit, the renovation period means a period that:

begins at the time that an application for a building permit for a qualifying renovation is submitted; and

ends at the time when the qualifying renovation passes a final inspection, or proof of completion of the project according to all legal requirements of the jurisdiction in which the renovation was undertaken is otherwise obtained.

The credit would be available to be claimed for the taxation year that includes the end of the renovation period.

Eligible Expenses

Expenses would be eligible for the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit if they are made or incurred during the renovation period, for the purpose of a qualifying renovation, and are reasonable in the context of that purpose (i.e., enabling an eligible person to reside in the dwelling with a qualifying relation).

Eligible expenses would include the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals and permits. Items such as furniture, as well as items that retain a value independent of the renovation (such as construction equipment and tools), would not be integral to the dwelling and expenses for such items would therefore not qualify for the credit.

The following are examples of other expenses that would not be eligible for the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit:

· the cost of annual, recurring or routine repair or maintenance;

· expenses for household appliances and devices, such as audio-visual electronics;

· payments for services such as outdoor maintenance and gardening, housekeeping or security;

· the costs of financing a renovation (e.g., mortgage interest costs);

· goods or services provided by a person not dealing at arm’s length with the claimant, unless that person is registered for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax purposes under the Excise Tax Act; and

· any expenses not supported by receipts.

Expenses that may be included in a claim must be reduced by any reimbursement or any other form of assistance that an individual is or was entitled to receive, including any related rebates, such as those for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax. Expenses would not be eligible for the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit if they are claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit and/or Home Accessibility Tax Credit.

Coming into Force

This measure would apply for the 2023 and subsequent taxation years, in respect of work performed and paid for and/or goods acquired on or after January 1, 2023.

CRA resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/08/government-delivering-on-budget-2022-commitments-to-canadians.html www.ibtax.ca Disclaimer: The information provided on our website and / or Facebook page is intended to provide general information. This information does not take into account your personal situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from an accountant. iB Accounting & Tax will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on ibtax.ca or the Facebook page..

For useful periodic updates and tips, "LIKE" Our page on FACEBOOK or sign up to our newsletter at www.ibtax.ca or call us at (613) 800-9838 for free consultation.