Renters often miss out on hundreds of dollars in government credits simply because the claims are buried in provincial tax schedules. Here’s a complete guide to every renter tax credit available across Canada.
Federal tax credits for renters
GST/HST Credit
Available to all eligible Canadians — not renter-specific, but an important credit for low and modest income renters.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | Up to $533/year |
| Couple | Up to $701/year |
| Per child | +$179/year |
- How to claim: File your tax return — it is automatic
- Payment: Quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
For working low-income Canadians — renters who work but earn modest incomes often qualify.
| Maximum Annual Benefit | |
|---|---|
| Single | Up to $1,518 |
| Family | Up to $2,616 |
| Disability supplement | Additional amount available |
- How to claim: Schedule 6 on your federal return
- Payment: Advance payments 3× per year + annual reconciliation
- Income cutoff: Roughly $33,000 for singles, $43,000 for families (phases out)
Provincial tax credits for renters
Ontario: Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
The largest renter-specific tax credit in Canada for Ontario residents.
| Category | Maximum Annual Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Under 65 | Up to $1,013/year |
| 65+ | Slightly higher |
| Northern Ontario residents | Additional Northern Ontario Energy Credit |
- How to claim: Schedule ON-BEN on your Ontario tax return — enter rent paid and landlord’s address
- Payment: Monthly as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
- Eligibility: Ontario resident who paid rent on an eligible property; income below phase-out threshold (~$25,000 for singles, higher for families)
What counts as eligible rent: Rent paid for a principal residence in Ontario — including basement apartments, rooming houses, and rooms rented in someone’s home. Co-op housing and subsidized housing have different rules.
British Columbia: BC Renter’s Tax Credit
Introduced to help BC renters offset the province’s high cost of living.
| Maximum Amount | |
|---|---|
| Single | Up to $400/year |
| Family | Up to $800/year |
- How to claim: Form BC479 on your BC provincial return
- Eligibility: BC resident who paid rent for a principal residence; family net income below ~$60,000 (full credit); phases out to ~$80,000
- No minimum rent requirement — you qualify based on income, not how much rent you paid
Quebec: Solidarity Tax Credit
Combines housing, sales tax, and northern village components in a single refundable credit.
| Maximum Housing Component (approx.) | |
|---|---|
| Single renter | ~$800–$1,000/year depending on rent paid |
| Couple | Higher |
- How to claim: Schedule D on your Quebec provincial return (TP-1)
- Calculated using: Rent paid during the year
- Payment: Monthly from July to June
- Eligibility: Quebec resident with income below phase-out thresholds; must have paid rent
Manitoba: Renters’ Tax Assistance
Manitoba offers the Education Property Tax Credit for renters.
- How to claim: Form MB479 on your Manitoba provincial return
- Amount: Based on a percentage of rent paid; maximum ~$525/year
- Eligibility: Manitoba resident who paid rent on a principal residence
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement
Available to low-income renters in Saskatchewan through a provincial program separate from the tax system. Apply through the provincial government rather than the CRA.
Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
These provinces do not currently offer a renter-specific tax credit through the income tax system. Federal credits (GST Credit, CWB) still apply.
Rent paid for home office: employment and self-employment deductions
These are not renter credits — but they can be significant:
| Situation | Deduction Available |
|---|---|
| Employed, required to work from home | Business-use portion of rent (T2200 required) |
| Self-employed | Business-use percentage of rent as business expense |
| Artist or performer | Special work-space-in-home rules may apply |
The home office deduction requires calculating the percentage of your home used exclusively for work. Keep receipts and a log of work-from-home days.
Summary: renter tax credits at a glance
| Credit | Province | Max Annual | Claimed On |
|---|---|---|---|
| GST/HST Credit | Federal (all) | $533+ | Filed automatically |
| Canada Workers Benefit | Federal (all) | $1,518+ | Schedule 6 |
| Ontario Energy & Property Tax Credit | Ontario | ~$1,013 | ON-BEN schedule |
| BC Renter’s Tax Credit | BC | $400–$800 | BC479 form |
| Solidarity Tax Credit (housing) | Quebec | ~$800–$1,000 | Schedule D / TP-1 |
| Education Property Tax Credit | Manitoba | ~$525 | MB479 form |
Key takeaway
File your tax return every year — even if you have no income — because most of these credits flow automatically or through the provincial schedule you complete at tax time. Ontario renters especially should ensure Schedule ON-BEN is completed. BC renters should confirm BC479 is filled in. Together, these credits can add up to $1,000–$2,000+ per year for eligible renters.