New Brunswick seniors' home renovation tax credit

New Brunswick seniors' home renovation tax credit

You may be eligible for this credit if you meet all of the following conditions at the end of the year:

• You were a resident of New Brunswick

• You were a senior 65 years of age or older, or you were living with, or expecting to live with, a family member who is a senior

• You, or someone on your behalf, paid or incurred eligible expenses in 2024 for improvements to your principal residence or the land your principal residence is situated on

You can claim whichever is less:

• $10,000

• the amount of eligible expenses that you, or someone on your behalf, paid or incurred for your principal residence

If you occupied more than one principal residence at different times in 2024, you can claim the eligible expenses you paid or incurred for one or more of those residences up to $10,000.

You must reduce your eligible expenses by the amount of any government assistance (other than tax credits) you received, or expect to receive, that is related to the eligible expenses.

The combined amount that you and your spouse or common-law partner can claim cannot be more than $10,000. However, if, on December 31, 2024, you and your spouse or common-law partner occupied separate principal residences for medical reasons or because of a breakdown in your marriage or common-law relationship for a period of 90 days or more, each spouse or common-law partner can claim up to $10,000 for eligible expenses.

If you occupied separate principal residences for medical reasons, enter your spouse's or common-law partner's address under "Involuntary separation" on Schedule NB(S12).

If you shared a principal residence with other people, one of you can claim the entire amount of eligible expenses or each person can claim part of the expenses. The combined amount that can be claimed by everyone living in the residence is $10,000 or the amount of eligible expenses paid, whichever is less.

If someone who does not live with you or is not related to you paid for the qualifying home renovation to your principal residence, you can still claim the credit. You will need to get the supporting documents and keep them in case you are asked to provide them later.

Definitions

A family member includes a parent, step-parent, grandparent, in-law, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, child, step-child, grandchild, niece, and nephew.

If you are a senior, a principal residence is a residence in New Brunswick that you occupy or expect to occupy by the end of 2026.

If you are not a senior, a principal residence is a residence in New Brunswick that you occupy or expect to occupy by the end of 2026 with a family member who is a senior.

Eligible expenses are expenditures for improvements to the principal residence (or to the land the principal residence is on) that do one of the following:

• allow a senior to gain access to the home or the land, or to be more mobile or functional within the home or on the land

• reduce the risk of harm to a senior within the home or on the land, or in gaining access to the home or the land

The improvements would normally be done by or for a person who has an impairment to allow them to be mobile or functional within the home or on the land. The improvements must also be of an enduring nature and be integral to the home or land.

Eligible expenses

Some examples of eligible expenses include:

• certain renovations to permit a first-floor occupancy or secondary suite for a senior

• grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, bathtub, and shower

• handrails in corridors

• wheelchair ramps, stair and wheelchair lifts, and elevators

• walk-in bathtubs

• wheel-in showers

• comfort height toilets

• widening of passage doors

• lowering of existing counters and cupboards

• installation of adjustable counters and cupboards

• light switches and electrical outlets placed in accessible locations

• door locks that are easy to operate

• lever handles on doors and taps, instead of knobs

• pull-out shelves under the counter to enable work from a seated position

• non-slip flooring

• hand-held shower on an adjustable rod or high-low mounting brackets

• additional light fixtures throughout the home and at exterior entrances

• swing clear hinges on doors to widen doorways

• creation of knee space under the basin to enable use from a seated position (and insulation of any hot-water pipes)

• relocation of tap to front or side for easier access

• hands-free taps

• motion-activated lighting

• touch-and-release drawers and cupboards

Expenses that are not eligible

Expenses are not eligible if their main purpose is to increase the value of the home.

Annual, recurring, or routine repair, maintenance, or service expenses are not eligible. These include:

• general maintenance like plumbing or electrical repairs

• roof repair

• aesthetic enhancements like landscaping or redecorating

• installation of new windows

• installation of heating or air conditioning systems

• replacement of insulation Devices are not eligible. These include:

• equipment for home medical monitoring

• home security (anti-burglary) equipment

• wheelchairs

• walkers

• vehicles adapted for people with mobility limitations

• household appliances

• fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors

Services are not eligible. These include:

• security or medical monitoring services

• home care services

• housekeeping services

• outdoor maintenance and gardening services

Filing for a deceased person

You can claim the New Brunswick seniors' home renovation tax credit on a deceased person's final return if one of the following applies:

• The deceased person was a senior or would have turned 65 years of age by December 31, 2024, and is otherwise eligible

• The deceased person was a family member of a senior or of a person who would have turned 65 years of age by December 31, 2024, and is otherwise eligible

You can claim this credit on your return if you lived with (or expected by the end of 2026 to live with) a family member who, right before death, was a senior or would have turned 65 years of age by December 31, 2024, and you are otherwise eligible.

Bankruptcies in 2024

The New Brunswick seniors' home renovation tax credit can be claimed on your pre- or post-bankruptcy return depending on when the eligible expenses were paid or became payable.

If eligible expenses are claimed on more than one return, the total amount of expenses that can be claimed on all returns filed for the year is $10,000 or the amount of eligible expenses paid, whichever is less.

How to claim this amount

Complete Schedule NB(S12), New Brunswick seniors' home renovation tax credit.

Enter, on line 47900 of your return, the amount from line 7 of your Schedule NB(S12).

Supporting documents

If you are filing a paper return, attach your completed Schedule NB(S12), but do not send your other documents. Keep all your supporting documents in case you are asked to provide them later.

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