April 2, 2009
Promote the Home Renovation Tax Credit



Our industry has been given a gift, that will also help green Canada: the Home Renovation Tax Credit. This credit will help homeowners improve their properties through landscaping, and you should be ready to help them invest.

To determine the items that qualify for the HRTC, use the statement issued by the federal government: \"Any improvement or renovation of an enduring nature to dwelling or the land on which the dwelling sits.\" The key word is enduring. Landscape Ontario interprets this to mean that the following are considered eligible:
  • new sod
  • trees
  • shrubs
  • perennials
  • interlocking driveways
  • decks
  • retaining walls
  • pathways
  • irrigation and lighting systems
  • ponds and waterfalls
  • garden sheds
  • professional landscape design services
  • professional landscape contractor services

Annuals, lawn and garden maintenance, tree maintenance, snow removal, hanging baskets, containers and planters are listed as not eligible.

Eligible home renovation projects for work performed, or goods acquired, are those between Jan. 27, 2009 and Feb. 1, 2010. A 15 per cent credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, meaning that the maximum tax credit is $1,350.

Properties eligible for the HRTC include houses, cottages and condominium units that are owned for personal use. Expenses such as professional labour, building permits, equipment rentals, professional services and incidentals are also eligible. Do-it-yourself labour is not eligible for the tax credit. Receipts will be needed, but consumers are not required to submit the receipts with their income tax filed with Revenue Canada. The receipts will be needed if Revenue Canada requires confirmation of those projects.

LO has created and information flyer, targeted to homeowners, you may download and reproduce. This is a two-sided colour piece, measuring 8.5 x 3.5 inches.
HRTC Postcard

Also below are print-ready posters, developed by CNLA that can be printed 20 x 30 inches.
Click here to download HRTC Poster English Version
Click here to download HRTC Poster French Version