Tax credits
Tax credits for accessibility work
One federal credit does most of the work here. The Ontario credit most families have heard of no longer exists.
We’re not government benefits experts — this is our understanding of these programs based on public information, and rules can change. Always confirm details directly with the program before applying.
The Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit is gone
It applied to the 2021 and 2022 tax years only and was not extended. Ontario’s page for it now redirects to the province’s archived websites rather than saying the program ended. You cannot claim it for work done today.
It is still presented as current on vendor sites, accounting blogs and senior-care pages. If a contractor tells you their work qualifies for it, that’s a sign their information is several years stale.
Federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
Active, and the main one now.
- Up to $20,000 of qualifying renovation expenses per year
- Non-refundable credit at 15% → up to $3,000 off tax owing
- For someone 65 or older, or eligible for the Disability Tax Credit
- Claimable by the person, their spouse, or certain supporting relatives
- Covers renovations that improve access or reduce injury risk — ramps, grab bars, walk-in tubs, stairlifts, widened doorways
- Claimed on line 31285 of the federal return
“Non-refundable” is the catch. It reduces tax you owe, but if you owe nothing, it gives you nothing. That catches a lot of low-income seniors, who are often exactly the people who most need the help. If that describes your household, put your effort into HVMP and Ontario Renovates instead.
Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit
Active, but a different thing — and not a replacement for the Home Safety credit.
- Refundable, 25% of up to $6,000 in eligible medical expenses (maximum $1,500)
- For people 70 or older
- Phases out between $35,000 and $65,000 net family income
It is aimed at care costs, not renovations. Worth knowing about if you’re also paying for care, but it will not help with a stairlift.
One thing we could not verify
Whether HATC and the medical expense credit can both be claimed on the same expense is contested. A well-regarded tax reference states plainly that both can be. One 2026 industry blog claims the federal government ended that stacking for the 2026 tax season. CRA’s own page returned an access error when we checked. Treat it as unconfirmed and ask a tax preparer.