Home Accessibility Tax Credit: Eligibility, limits, and how to claim.
August 31, 2026|Updated: September 1, 2026
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.
In this guide, we'll break down who qualifies, what renovations are eligible, how much you can claim, and how to report the credit on your tax return.
Table of contents:
What’s the Home Accessibility Tax Credit?
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
Who qualifies for the Home Accessibility Tax Credit?
The HATC isn't limited to the person living with a disability or accessibility needs. In many situations, family members can claim eligible expenses on behalf of a qualifying individual.
Qualifying individuals.
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.
Eligible individuals.
In some cases, a family member may be able to claim the credit for renovations completed for a qualifying individual.
Eligible individuals can include:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Parents and grandparents
- Children and grandchildren
- Siblings
- Certain other relatives who support the qualifying individual
The renovations must be made to the right home.
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit applies to renovations made to a home in Canada where the qualifying individual normally lives. That could be their own home or a home they share with family. The property can be owned by the qualifying individual, an eligible family member, or jointly by multiple owners.
What renovations and expenses are eligible?
Generally, expenses must be directly related to a renovation that:
- Improves accessibility.
- Helps a qualifying individual become more mobile or functional within the home.
- Reduces the risk of injury in the home or when entering the home.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible renovations may include:
Entrance and access improvements:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Accessible pathways
- Automatic door openers
- Widened entrances and doorways
- Handrails on steps and walkways
Bathroom modifications:
- Walk-in tubs
- Barrier-free showers
- Grab bars
- Raised toilets
- Safety supports and accessibility features
Mobility and safety upgrades:
- Stair lifts
- Platform lifts
- Improved lighting
- Flooring modifications that reduce tripping hazards
- Home features designed to improve safety and independence
What expenses are not eligible?
Expenses that are primarily cosmetic, routine maintenance, or intended to increase a home's value rather than improve accessibility may not qualify. Household appliances, regular repairs, and financing costs are typically excluded.
Do DIY renovations qualify?
In some cases, yes. If you complete a qualifying accessibility renovation yourself, you may be able to claim the cost of eligible materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, permits, and other renovation-related expenses. But you can’t claim the value of your own labour or personal time.
Not sure if your renovation makes the cut? Talk to an H&R Block Tax Expert. They can help you understand which expenses qualify and make sure you don't miss out on valuable tax savings.
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.
For 2026, the Home Accessibility Tax Credit is calculated using the lowest federal personal income tax rate of 14%. That means claiming the maximum $20,000 in eligible expenses could reduce your federal taxes by up to $2,800.
Example:
Let's say you spent $18,000 on qualifying accessibility renovations, including:
- A wheelchair ramp
- Grab bars
- A walk-in shower
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.
How to claim the Home Accessibility Tax Credit.
Claiming the HATC is relatively straightforward, especially if you keep good records throughout your renovation project.
Filing with an H&R Block Tax Expert.
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.
Your Tax Expert can:
- Review your eligibility.
- Determine which expenses qualify.
- Help maximize available tax credits.
- Ensure your claim is correctly reported on your 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.
Filing with H&R Block Tax Software.
If you're filing on your own using H&R Block Tax Software, you'll be guided through questions that help identify eligible home accessibility expenses.
Having your receipts and renovation records readily available can make the process easier and help ensure your claim is accurate.
Frequently asked questions.
Not sure if your renovations qualify?
An H&R Block Tax Expert can review your eligibility and help ensure you're claiming all available credits and deductions.