Home should be a place where you feel safe, comfortable and able to navigate everyday life with confidence. Whether you’re helping an aging parent stay independent, making your own home more accessible, or adapting a space for a family member with a disability, renovations can be life-changing. They can also be expensive.
The good news? The Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) can help offset some of those costs. Eligible Canadians may be able to claim up to $20,000 in qualifying home renovation expenses, which can result in a federal tax credit worth up to $2,800 for the 2026 tax year. The credit is designed to support seniors and individuals eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) by making homes safer, more accessible, and better suited to their needs.
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) is a federal non-refundable tax credit that helps offset the cost of qualifying renovations made to improve accessibility, mobility and safety in a home. It can also help reduce the risk of injury for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Think of the HATC as a way for the government to help cover some of the costs of home modifications that allow people to live more comfortably and independently.
Common projects may include:
- Installing wheelchair ramps
- Widening doorways
- Adding grab bars and handrails
- Renovating bathrooms with walk-in showers
- Installing lifts or mobility devices
- Improving access to entrances and exits
A qualifying individual is someone who:
- Is 65 years of age or older by the end of the tax year, or
- Is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) at any time during the year.
How much can you claim?
If you completed eligible accessibility renovations during the year, you can claim up to $20,000 in qualifying expenses.
What does that mean for your taxes?
This is where things can get a little confusing.
The $20,000 isn’t the amount you’ll get back from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It’s the maximum amount of eligible renovation expenses you can use to calculate your tax credit.
Example:
Let’s say you spent $18,000 on qualifying accessibility renovations. If the expenses qualify, you can claim the full $18,000 on your tax return. The credit is then calculated using the 14% federal tax credit rate:
Eligible expenses: $18,000
Tax credit rate: 14%
Potential federal tax savings: $2,520
Because the Home Accessibility Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit, it works like a discount on your tax bill. It can reduce the amount of federal income tax you owe, but it can’t reduce your tax bill below $0. If the credit is worth more than the tax you owe, you won’t receive the difference as a refund.
If you worked on accessibility-related renovations during the tax year, be sure to let your H&R Block Tax Expert know. They’ll review your expenses, determine whether they qualify for the Home Accessibility Tax Credit, and claim the credit on Line 31285 of your federal tax return.
Documents to keep:
- Detailed invoices
- Contractor receipts
- Proof of payment
- Building permits (if applicable)
- Documents describing the work completed
While these documents are generally not submitted with your tax return, the CRA may request them later.
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