This is a refundable provincial income tax credit for individuals in BC who are at least 65 years old. The credit applies to eligible permanent home improvements. The credit is 10% of eligible expenditures incurred on or after April 1, 2012, up to a maximum credit of $1,000 per year. The credit can be claimed on personal income returns starting with 2012 year.
In simplified terms the eligible expenditures must meet 5 criteria:
1) be for improvements to the senior's principal place of residence (including the land),
2) be for the purpose of enabling a senior to gain access to or to be mobile or functional within the property or to reduce risk of harm to the senior,
3) be of an enduring nature and integral to the property, including things that become permanent fixtures,
4) were not made for the principal purpose of increasing the value of the property,
5) would ordinarily be made by, or for, a person with an impairment to enable that person to gain access to or to be mobile or functional within the residence or land.
It doesn't matter whether the indiviiduals own their home or they are renting. In addition the credit can be claimed by a person who shares a home with a related senior.
Generally speaking, taxpayers have to fit squarely within the provisions of the legislation to be entitled to tax credits.
Some examples of expenditures that may qualify include:
Certain renovations to permit a first-floor occupancy or secondary suite for a senior
Grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower
Hand rails in corridors
Wheelchair ramps and lifts
Walk-in bathtubs
Wheel-in showers
Raised toilets
Widening passage doors
Lowering counters and cupboards
Motion operated lighting
Non-slip flooring in bathrooms
Lever handled taps and doors
Accessible light switches and electrical outlets
Hands-free taps
Touch and release drawers
See also Canadian Seniors Information website
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