From ramps and stair lifts to grab bars, better lighting, and non-slip flooring, making a home safer is one of the most valuable investments families can make. These changes prevent falls, support independence, and often cost far less than a single hospital stay or a move into long-term care.
The good news: there are several tax credits, funding programs, and exemptions that can help cover the cost. But timing matters—acting before the end of the 2025 tax year means you can claim your upgrades sooner and avoid waiting another full year for the benefits. Here’s what Ontario homeowners and families need to know.
Federal Tax Credits
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
• Covers permanent changes that improve mobility or reduce fall risk: ramps, lifts, widened doorways, grab bars, non-slip floors, walk-in showers, handrails, lighting upgrades.
• Claim up to $20,000 per year in eligible expenses.
• Refund worth up to $3,000 back at tax time.
• Available to anyone 65+ or approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
More info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31285-home-accessibility-expenses.html
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
• Allows you to claim many of the same modifications when they are needed for safety and independence.
• Includes grab bars, non-slip flooring, threshold changes, stair modifications, and similar.
• Claim on lines 33099 or 33199 of your return.
More info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses.html
Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC)
• Helps families create a secondary unit for a senior (65+) or a relative with a disability.
• Refundable credit: 15% of up to $50,000 in costs (max refund $7,500).
More info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/multigenerational-home-renovation-tax-credit.html
Ontario Programs
March of Dimes Canada – Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)
• Supports residents with significant mobility restrictions.
• Up to $15,000 lifetime maximum for home modifications.
• Covers essential adaptations such as ramps, porch lifts, widened doorways, or accessible bathrooms.
• Does not fund concrete ramps, DIY stair lifts, or general home maintenance.
More info: https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/am/hvmp
Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
• Covers devices, not renovations—for example, wheelchairs, patient lifters, and mobility aids.
• Often works alongside home modification funding (e.g., ADP funds a patient lift, while HATC covers installation changes).
More info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/assistive-devices-program
Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit
• Refundable provincial credit for low- to moderate-income seniors.
• Covers 25% of up to $6,000 in eligible medical expenses (max refund $1,500).
More info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-seniors-care-home-tax-credit
Other Funding Sources
• Veterans Affairs Canada (Veterans Independence Program): Can cover home adaptations for veterans to remain at home.
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): May fund home and vehicle modifications for recipients.
• WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board): Covers modifications if a work injury results in long-term impairment.
• Auto Insurance Accident Benefits: Can cover accessibility renovations after catastrophic injuries.
GST/HST Relief
Some items are zero-rated for GST/HST when prescribed or certified—such as wheelchair lifts, patient lifters, and portable ramps. Installation services for those items are also zero-rated. This means you may not have to pay sales tax at all, depending on the product and documentation.
How This Applies
The same funding and credits can apply to a wide range of safety and access improvements, including:
• Grab bars and handrails anchored into studs
• Non-slip flooring and stair treads
• Improved lighting at entrances, hallways, bathrooms
• Wider doorways and thresholds under 1 inch
• Shower and tub modifications with seating and handheld showerheads
• Raised toilets or toilet grab arms
In other words, whether it’s a major installation like a stair lift or a small but crucial change like a bathroom grab bar, there are supports to help offset costs.
Next Steps for Families
1. Confirm eligibility – check age, disability status, or program rules.
2. Plan your upgrades – decide if you’ll claim them under tax credits, funding, or both.
3. Save documentation – invoices must include contractor details, GST/HST numbers, and proof of payment.
4. Ask about tax exemptions – some products and installs are zero-rated for GST/HST.
Practical Help from Good Company
At Good Company, we combine a professional safety assessment with guidance on which funding streams apply. We provide proper invoices that meet CRA requirements and help families line up medical or OT recommendations if needed.
✅ Schedule your free home safety assessment today. Let’s make sure your home is safe, affordable, and ready for daily living.
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