Get up to $1,350 tax credit
for BC home improvements

-
BC - up to
$1,350
Government of Canada tax credit.
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Renovation: kitchen,
bathroom, basement, windows, doors, carpet, floors, furnace ...
Home Renovation Tax Credit — BC
BC homeowners can get up to $1,350 in tax credits
from the Canadian government for home renovations
made between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010.
In February, 2009, the Canadian government
included the Home Renovation Tax Credit
(HRTC)
as part of its Economic Action Plan.
The HRTC
allows BC families to claim 15 per cent of home improvement expenses,
between $1,000 and $10,000,
on their 2009 income tax return.
This gives BC families up to $1,350 in nonrefundable
tax credits, which reduce the total amount of income tax they must pay.
2009 income tax return
The Canadian home renovation tax credit applies for
2009 income tax returns only.
A line on the 2009 income tax return form will allow BC
homeowners to enter the home improvement expenses
they are claiming towards the credit.
All home improvement expenses must be supported
by valid receipts and documentation.
Home Renovation Tax Credit — how it works
Qualify for a Canadian government tax credit for
home improvements in BC.
- Home renovations —
improvements must be made to the BC homeowner’s
principal residence or to another residence they own
and use personally (such as a cottage or vacation home).
- Renovation expenses —
must be at least $1,000, and not more than $10,000.
- Time frame —
home improvement expenses must be incurred between
January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010.
- Tax credit maximum —
each BC family can claim up to
$10,000 in home improvement expenses, for credit of
up to $1,350 per family. A family is defined
as an individual, or an individual and their spouse or
common-law partner, plus children up to age 18.
- Sharing tax credit —
the home improvement credit can be shared by more
than one family member.
- Shared home —
if more than one family shares
one residence, each family can claim up to
$10,000 in home improvement expenses, for credit
of up to $1,350 per family.
Home improvements — BC
The Home Renovation Tax Credit applies to BC home
improvements that will become a
permanent part of the home or its property. These BC home
improvements include structural improvements such as home additions
and interior renovations, and property improvements,
such as garages, driveways and landscaping.
All energy-saving renovations,
including new furnaces, air conditioners and insulation, are eligible for
the home renovation tax credit in BC.
Examples of eligible renovations
- Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement
- Windows and doors
- New carpet or hardwood floors
- A new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water
softener, water heater or oil tank
- Home ventilation systems (of a permanent nature)
- Central air conditioner
- Electrical wiring in the home (example: changing from
100 amp to 200 amp service)
- Solar panels and solar panel trackers
- Painting of interior or exterior of a house
- Building an addition, garage, deck,
garden/storage shed, fence
- Re-shingling a roof
- Solar heaters and heat pumps for pools (does not
include solar blankets)
- Landscaping: new sod, perennial shrubs and flowers, trees, large rocks,
permanent garden lighting, permanent water fountain, permanent ponds,
large permanent garden ornaments.
- Associated costs such as installation, permits, professional services,
equipment rentals and incidental expenses
See complete
list
of eligible and ineligible expenses for Home Renovation Tax Credit.
Home Renovation Tax Credit — BC benefits
Under the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit,
BC families can reduce their taxes and
make lasting improvements to their homes.
The tax credit can be used
for renovations to any property
used by the taxpayer as a permanent or
temporary residence, including homes, cottages and mobile homes.
It may be claimed by an individual, or by either spouse or partner in
a common-law partnership. If more than one family owns an
eligible residence (for example, a shared vacation home),
each family can claim up to $10,000 in eligible renovation expenses.
The Canadian government estimates more than 4.6 million families in Canada
will benefit from the tax credit. It also says the
HRTC
will help Canada’s economy, because the
HRTC
encourages homeowners to purchase home renovation products and
services provided by Canadians and Canadian companies.
Eligible renovation expenses:
- must be supported by appropriate documentation
(receipts, invoices, shipping labels)
- include the cost of labour and professional services,
building materials, fixtures, rentals, and permits.
- include energy-saving renovations made under the
Canada ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program and
provincial rebate programs.
- are not affected by other government grants or rebates, such as the
ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes grants,
that the homeowner may qualify for.
- can also be claimed for the Medical Expense Tax Credit, if qualified.
Energy-saving renovations — BC
Energy-saving renovations can permanently reduce a BC home’s
energy use, saving as much as 50 per cent or more on home energy costs each year.
By making energy-saving renovations in 2009,
BC homeowners will receive maximum
benefits for their renovations.
All energy-saving upgrades,
renovations and retrofits are permanent
improvements to a BC home, and qualify
as expenses under the Home Renovation Tax
Credit. BC homeowners can claim up to
$10,000 in renovation expenses, including
costs of energy-saving upgrades.
Energy-saving renovations eligible for
HRTC
- High-efficiency furnace
- Energy Star central air conditioner
- Ground- or air-source heat pump
- Energy Star windows and skylights
- Energy Star doors
- Attic insulation
- Wall insulation
- Basement insulation
- Low-flush toilet
- Drain water heat recovery system
- Electronic thermostats
- Heat-recovery ventilator
- Solar hot water heating system
- Solar photovoltaic panel
- Tankless hot water heater
- Condensing gas hot water heater
Grants and rebates — BC
But there’s more. Under the
ecoENERGY
Retrofit-Homes initiative,
the Government of Canada is giving BC homeowners
tax-free grants and rebates for making energy-saving
renovations, such as installing new high-efficiency
furnaces and central air conditioners, insulation, windows, hot water
heaters and even low-flush toilets. More BC grants, discounts
incentives amd rebates for energy-saving renovations
are available from Solar BC, local governments and energy utilities
to eligible homeowners. The amount of money BC
homeowners receive through government grants and
rebates does not reduce or otherwise affect the amount of money they
can claim for the Home Renovation Tax Credit.
That means if a BC homeowner spends $10,000 on energy-saving
renovations, they will be
eligible for $1,350 in tax relief. Depending
on the renovations and their eligibility, they could receive up to $10,000 in combined
tax-free grants and rebates from Canadian and BC governments.
That’s a total savings of $11,350, which could help significantly offset
the initial cost of the renovations in BC.
Grants for energy-saving renovations — BC
These renovations are just some of the eligible expenses under the
HRTC
guidelines, and are eligible for grants and rebates from the Canadian
government’s ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes initiative.
The amounts shown in the box below reflect the federal grant amounts only.
The BC government also offers additional rebates for energy-saving
renovations to eligible British Columbia homeowners.
- Install a new high-efficiency condensing gas furnace:
up to $790 tax-free
- Install a new geothermal heat pump system:
up to $4,375 tax-free
- Install a solar domestic hot water system:
$1,250 tax-free
- Insulate 100 per cent of your BC home’s exterior walls with
greater than R-9 insulation: $1,875 tax-free
- Insulate 100 per cent of your BC home’s basement walls with
greater than R-23 insulation: $1,250 tax-free
Ongoing energy-saving — BC
Energy-saving renovations
have lasting benefits for BC. They increase
a BC home’s value with new, efficient equipment. They improve home
comfort, by insulating against the outdoor temperature and providing efficient
ways of heating and cooling the interior. They reduce the home’s
energy use, which reduces annual energy costs. The result for British Columbia
is savings that continue well after the calendar year is through.
Home Renovation Tax Credit — how it works
Canada’s Home Renovation Tax Credit lets BC homeowners
claim the cost of energy saving home improvements
on their 2009 income tax return.
This tax credit represents an extra savings for BC homeowners
on their home improvement costs,
and is offered by the Government of Canada in addition to
Canada ecoENERGY grants.
- Up to $1,350 tax credit —
Claim up to 15 per cent of your BC home improvement expenses on your 2009
income tax return, for a total credit of up to $1,350.
- 2009 income tax return —
A line on your 2009 income tax return will allow you to claim home improvement
expenses for the home renovation tax credit.
- Eligible amount —
Home improvement expenses between $1,000 and $10,000 are eligible for the
home renovation tax credit
- Eligible expenses —
Claim BC home improvement expenses
for lasting home improvements, including energy-saving
renovations like a new furnace, heat pump, insulation, windows, doors and more.
(See complete list)
- Act now —
Canada’s Home Renovation Tax Credit applies for home improvement
work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before
February 1, 2010.
- Keep your receipts —
You must include valid receipts and invoices for all home improvements
claimed on your 2009 income tax return.
- Grants and rebates —
Money received from the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY
grant program, and the BC government’s
LiveSmart BC program is tax-free and does not affect the
amount you may claim for the home renovation tax credit.
Many energy-saving home improvements qualify you for
Canada ecoENERGY grants.
Get started now
To qualify for ecoENERGY grants you must have a BC home energy
assessment before you renovate. BC homeowners who had their
first home energy audit before August 16, 2009,
are eligible for the Canada ecoENERGY grants + additional
LiveSmart BC rebates
More government grants
BC rebates
- Before August 16, 2009 — No changes have been announced
for BC homeowners already enrolled in the LiveSmart BC program.
Homeowners who had their
first home energy audit before August 16, 2009,
are eligible for the Canada ecoENERGY grants +
LiveSmart BC rebates listed below.
-
After August 16, 2009 —
Funding for the
LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program
is now fully committed and LiveSmart BC will no longer provide
rebates to new participants, starting August 16, 2009.
-
Canada grants —
BC homeowners who have their
first home energy audit on or after August 16, 2009, are
eligible for up to $5,000 in Canada ecoENERGY grants for home
energy renovations.
Click here for details
- For more information, call
1-877-732-9888
Canada grants — BC
BC homeowners can choose from a shopping
list of renovation rebates from the
Government of BC:
-
Insulation — ceiling + wall + foundation,
up to $3,850
-
Furnaces
— high-efficiency gas up to
$700
-
Heat pumps
— air-source heat pump which doubles
as air conditioner up to
$1,600
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Water heaters
— condensing gas
$300
-
Water heaters
— tankless/instantaneous
gas, condensing-type
$300
-
Boilers
— high-efficiency gas up to
$700
-
HRV
— heat recovery ventilator up to
$1,100
-
Solar
— hot water system
$500 — the City
of Vancouver offers an additional $3,000 incentive
-
Geothermal
— ground- or
water-source heat pumps
which are energy-efficient heating
and cooling systems up to
$2,500
-
Air conditioning — up to
$2,500
(Heat pumps for energy efficient heating & cooling)
BC homeowners can also get ...
And there’s more.
Get combined tax-free
BC rebates of up to
$7,000
and more for:
- Home Renovations —
Windows, doors, insulation,
and air sealing
- Equipment — Furnaces, heat pumps, hot water
heaters, boilers, geothermal heating, solar panel hot
water systems, HRV, low-flush toilets, and more ...
-
BC Rebates List —
BC homeowners can qualify for tax-free
grant amounts of more than $7,000 from the
Government of BC.
Click here
Take advantage of government rebates + grants up to $7,000 and more
for home energy renovation in British Columbia:
-
LiveSmart BC rebates —
BC homeowners can get up to $7,000
and more in home energy grants through the BC government’s
LiveSmart BC rebate program, which is in effect
until March 31, 2013.
Click here for more
-
Home Energy Audits —
To qualify for Government of BC’s LiveSmart rebates,
BC homeowners must get a home energy audit
before and after
their home improvement work.
The BC government’s LiveSmart BC program also
subsidizes the cost of your first home energy audit.
Click here for more
-
Other BC rebates —
Vancouver homeowners may qualify for a $3,000 rebate from
the City of Vancouver's Solar Homes Pilot when installing
solar hot water systems. There are additional
rebates for low-flow
toilets, and even
more grants, rebates and incentives from local BC
governments and energy utilities.
-
Home Renovation Tax Credit —
Many homeowners in British Columbia use “tax credit”
to describe a grant program like LiveSmart BC rebates.
The original Home Renovation Tax Credit
(HRTC) expired in 2010.
With today’s 2011 “tax credit” programs
there’s no need to wait until you’ve filed
your annual income tax return to receive a home renovation tax credit.
Your tax-free grant money will be sent within 90 days of
your follow-up energy audit.
Click here for more
BC rebates — conditions
Some conditions apply.
-
Home energy audit —
To qualify for Government of BC LiveSmart
rebates you must get an ecoENERGY home energy audit
before and after upgrades to your BC home.
You will receive grants for improvements started
after your first audit.
- Renovations —
You can complete the improvements yourself or hire
a BC contractor. We recommend you retain copies of
all documentation including invoices,
receipts, photos and product literature to be sure you get
full credit for all improvements.
- LiveSmart BC —
You need to apply for LiveSmart BC rebates
by completing your follow-up
(post-retrofit) audit within 18 months of
your first audit, or by March 31, 2013, whichever comes first.
- Existing homes only —
Newly built BC homes occupied for less than six months
do not qualify for grants. Once a newly
built home has been occupied for more than six months, there is
no limit to how old a home can be to qualify for
LiveSmart BC rebates.
- Local codes & by-laws —
All improvements or renovations
must meet BC building codes and by-laws.
Pay special attention to the placement of vapour
barriers when adding insulation to the building envelope.
Before undertaking improvements
or renovations, find out about the appropriate
products and installation techniques to ensure that your
home’s building envelope and indoor air quality
will not be compromised.
- Higher efficiency —
To qualify for LiveSmart BC rebates
any new equipment installed in your BC home
must have a higher efficiency than that of the original
equipment it replaces.
- Questions about eligibility —
If you are not certain about the eligibility of your BC house,
or any specific renovations you are planning,
you should request clarification from the Governments of BC.
BC homeowners are responsible for clarifying that their house
and planned improvements are eligible for LiveSmart BC rebates
before undertaking any upgrade work
and related expenses.
- Grant table —
For a more complete list of eligiblity criteria see
BC Rebate
List.
BC rebates & incentives
LiveSmart BC rebates
BC homeowners can qualify for
tax-free rebates
from the Government of British Columbia.
-
LiveSmart BC rebates —
Get tax-free rebates of up to 7,000
and more for home energy improvements from the BC government.
Click here
-
LiveSmart BC audit —
The BC government subsidizes the cost of your first
home energy audit. This subsidy is subject to available funds.
Click here
- Other BC rebates —
Vancouver homeowners may qualify for a
$3,000 rebate from the City of Vancouver Solar Homes Pilot
when installing
solar
hot water systems. There are additional
rebates for low-flow
toilets, and even
more grants, rebates and incentives from local
governments and energy utilities.
- You begin —
by completing an ecoENERGY assessment with a certified
energy advisor. The BC government subsidizes the cost of
your first home energy audit.
- Your advisor —
will apply for LiveSmart BC rebates
on your behalf, after you have completed your
energy-efficient renovations
and your BC home has been re-assessed. You have
to make some or all of the improvements your advisor
recommends for your BC home, and
complete a follow-up (post-retrofit) energy
audit within 18 months of your initial energy audit or
before March 31, 2013, whichever comes first.
Home Renovation Tax Credit
Many BC homeowners use “tax credit” to describe
a government grant program like LiveSmart BC rebates.
The original Home Renovation Tax Credit
(HRTC)
expired in 2010.
-
2009 income tax credit —
The original
Home Renovation Tax Credit allowed families to claim a credit
of 15 per cent of home improvement costs, between
$1,000 and $10,000, on their 2009 income tax return.
Each Canadian family could claim up to $10,000
in home improvement costs, for a credit of up to
$1,350 per family.
-
2011 ‘tax credit’ programs —
Newer programs provide government grants of up to
$7,000 and more. And there’s no need to wait until
you’ve filed your annual income tax return to receive a
home renovation tax credit. Your tax-free grant
money will be sent within 90 days of your
follow-up energy audit.
Your advisor can help
By choosing a HomePerformance
Energy Advisor to do your BC home energy audit,
you’ll receive information on Government of BC
LiveSmart home energy renovation
rebates.
Enjoy all the benefits
Do it right
Each British Columbia home has its own specific
energy-savings needs,
and yours is no different. The right renovations
add up to big savings. By following the expert
advice of a certified BC energy advisor,
you’ll make the energy renovations or
"retrofits" that are right for your BC home —
and help improve your energy costs and the BC environment.
Energy renovations help ...
- Save energy —
Your BC home won’t need as much energy to stay comfortable.
- Save money —
Less energy used = lower energy costs for you.
-
Grants + Rebates —
Qualify for tax-free government grants for home
energy renovation, sent directly to you.
And that’s not all.
Here are more benefits ...
- Greater comfort –
Your home will be warmer in BC winters,
cooler in BC summers.
- Better health –
You’ll eliminate indoor health concerns
like chills and drafts, and keep your home free of airborne
pollutants and pollen.
- Increased home value –
By making energy renovations, you’ll
increase the resale value of your BC home. An
official Canada EnerGuide label proves
you’ve done the work.
- Simpler home maintenance –
No more scrubbing moldy windowsills! Keep airborne
dust and dirt outside where it belongs.
When you improve your home in British Columbia,
you also make a difference to the rest of the world.
You’ll help address important global issues like ...
-
Climate change –
Energy renovations help reduce your BC
home’s greenhouse gas emissions, while protecting
you from the effects of climate change and extreme
weather.
-
Energy security –
By reducing your BC home’s energy use,
you’ll be less deeply affected by energy price fluctuations
and supply interruptions.
And there’s even more. Click here to learn how
BC
homeowners like you are saving thousands of
dollars and tonnes of greenhouse gases every year,
by making the right energy-saving home renovations.
British Columbia homeowners can make a difference.
Learn more about
Renovation Rebates in BC ...
Home Renovation
|
Equipment
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To qualify you need a BC
home energy audit before your renovations.
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BC grants + rebates
- after August 16, 2009
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BC grants + rebates
- before August 16, 2009
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BC home renovation tax credit
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