How to claim Ontario's staycation tax credit on your tax return
People in Ontario who vacationed in the province last year can claim the trip on their upcoming tax returns, and here’s how to do it.
Introduced as a temporary, refundable personal income tax credit for 2022, the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit can be used by families and individuals who went on a leisurely trip somewhere within the province.
Through this credit, Ontarians can claim 20 per cent of their eligible accommodation expenses between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
“If you travelled for work, that wouldn’t count,” H&R Block tax specialist, Yannick Lemay, previously told CTV News Toronto. “We are excluding costs for food, entertainment, gas, and all extra expenses, but anything that goes for accommodation for travel, you can claim.”
Those who are looking to apply for this credit should have the receipts from their accommodation stays, Lemay noted.
“It’s up to $1,000 [for an individual], and it’s a 20 per cent rate credit, so that means Ontarians can get up to $200 back.”
Families and couples can claim up to $2,000 and get a maximum credit of $400.
HOW CAN I CLAIM THE STAYCATION TAX CREDIT?
When it's time to file your Income Tax and Benefit Return for last year, keep your eyes peeled for form ON479, which lists all of the refundable tax credits Ontarians can specifically claim.
"Many Ontario credits are calculated on this form, and then the total of credits calculated on this form goes onto the T1 returns on your federal tax return. It goes on line 47900," Lemay told CTV News Toronto Friday.
Ontario’s staycation tax credit can be found underneath the Ontario childcare access and relief from expenses (CARE) tax credit.
SO WHAT ELIGIBLE EXPENSES CAN I CLAIM?
Ontarians who stayed at a short-term accommodation for less than a month in province can claim the expenses through the credit – so long as it is a hotel, motel, resort, lodge, bed-and-breakfast, cottage, campground or vacation rental property.
The accommodation must have either been paid by you, or your spouse, partner, or eligible child.
All of the receipts from the eligible expenses must have the location, the date of stay, the name of who purchased the accommodations, and the cost. It should also have the amount of taxes you paid on the stay.
If all these conditions are met, Ontarians can claim the accommodation of one trip or multiple trips, and can be expensed up to $1,000 as an individual or $2,000 as a family.
WHAT CAN’T I CLAIM?
Vacations on boats, trains, or “other vehicles that can be self-propelled,” the province says, aren’t included with the tax credit. Timeshare agreements are also generally not included.
As for travel expenses, Ontarians cannot claim car rentals, fuel, flights, groceries, parking, or tickets purchased to visit location attractions. If the trip was also for school or work, it also cannot be claimed through the staycation tax credit.
Lastly, if the expenses were reimbursed – either by a friend or an employer – the stay cannot be claimed.
May 1 is the deadline for most Canadians to file their tax returns, with June 15 being the deadline for those who are self-employed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.