Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 1
posted Feb 27, 2022 3:31:45 PM

Claiming home improvement with rental expenses

I rent out my basement apartment with utilities included. It is my principle residence, and I live upstairs. The apartment is 50% of the square footage of my home, therefore I am claiming 50% of certain expenses (mortgage interest, utilities, property tax, home insurance) as rental expenses.

 

I added approximately $1000 worth of insulation in the attic of the home to reduce heat loss, and I replaced the hot water tank (that both units avail of). Can I claim a portion of either of these as a rental expenses?  Thanks to anyone who can help.

0 1 924
1 Best answer
Level 4
Feb 27, 2022 4:22:02 PM

In order to claim rental expenses, the expenditures should be current rather than capital. An expense that simply restores a property to its original condition is usually a current expense. For example, the cost of repairing wooden steps is a current expense. Conversely, the cost of a repair that improves a property beyond its original condition is probably a capital expense. You need to analyze whether the new hot water tank is better than the old one and is considered an improvement. 

 

Please read this article to precisely assess your expenses 

Current expenses or capital expenses as per the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Related Information:

Rental Property Expenses as per TurboTax

 

Thank you for choosing Turbo Tax.

1 Replies
Level 4
Feb 27, 2022 4:22:02 PM

In order to claim rental expenses, the expenditures should be current rather than capital. An expense that simply restores a property to its original condition is usually a current expense. For example, the cost of repairing wooden steps is a current expense. Conversely, the cost of a repair that improves a property beyond its original condition is probably a capital expense. You need to analyze whether the new hot water tank is better than the old one and is considered an improvement. 

 

Please read this article to precisely assess your expenses 

Current expenses or capital expenses as per the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Related Information:

Rental Property Expenses as per TurboTax

 

Thank you for choosing Turbo Tax.