The Home Renovation Tax Credit-It’s Better Then You Think

With the spring and summer seasons fastyour house! You must spend at least $1000 to take
approaching, at least in most parts of the country,advantage of this great tax break.
many Canadians are preparing for spring clean-up, kidsNow, I have heard many people balk at the $1350 tax
report cards, and that annual home renovation project.credit maximum as a mere “drop in the
While the downturn in the economy may get somebucket”. It very well may be if you are hiring a
nervous about spending their hard earned dollars oncontractor to do the work for you. But, we are
fixing up the home front, the Canadian governmentCanadians, and these are tough times. Surely we can
has made it a bit easier on families and our wallets bydo it ourselves. Right?
providing tax relief with the new home renovation taxDo it yourself centre’s, like Home Depot, have
credit (HRTC).been telling us for years that “we can do
The 15% home renovation tax credit may be appliedit” and they are obviously “willing to
to renovation costs for projects such as finishing yourhelp.” You just need an idea, a plan and maybe
basement, re-modeling your kitchen or even paintinga long week-end to get started.