Ontario extends seniors home renovation credit

TORONTO—The Ontario government has announced it is extending a program that helps pay for renovations to seniors homes by a year.

The Seniors Home Safety Tax Credit is intended to help seniors stay in their homes longer. The program will be extended to 2022, stated a recent release.

The credit is worth 25 per cent of up to $10,000 per household in eligible expenses, to a maximum credit of $2,500. It can be shared by people who live together, including spouses and common law partners.

Examples of eligible renovations include installing grab bars and related reinforcements in bathrooms; wheelchair ramps, stair lifts and elevators; light fixtures in the home and exterior entrances; non-slip flooring; automatic garage door openers; and some renovations to allow first-floor occupancy or a secondary suite for a senior.

“We are empowering Ontario’s seniors with the choice to live in their homes and remain in their community as long as they choose,” said Raymond Cho, minister for seniors and accessibility, in a statement. “Providing a tax credit for renovations will give seniors and their families real help to stay in their homes longer.”