Good news! You can claim your home and yard expenses as a tax deduction

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

It’s the time of year when people are doing work in their yards, building sheds and fences and planting gardens and flower beds. So it’s also good to remember that many of those expenses can be used as a tax deduction when you do your taxes next year.

Expenses over $1,000, but not more than $12,000 can be claimed on your 2021 tax return on costs between October 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. This credit extends to 2022, when $9,000 of expenses can be claimed. It’s advised that the person in each household with the higher income should claim the total amount of your costs on their return.

Renovations must be done at your principal residence in Saskatchewan. Expenses included are those spent on permanent additions; however, expenses for maintenance purposes such as carpet cleaning and furnace cleaning are not eligible.

Money spent on re-shingling your roof or building a deck are acceptable expenses under the Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit. Eligible costs include painting, flooring, windows, doors, air conditioning, home security system, water heater, permanent fixtures, bathroom renovations, and removal of asbestos from the house or garage. The cost of labour and professional services, building materials, equipment rentals, and permits is also included.

Most importantly, it’s important to note that landscaping costs are also eligible at this time of year. Those expenses include sod, perennial shrubs, flowers, trees, stump removal, crushed rock, permanent ponds, installation of a new concrete driveway, garden lighting and ornaments.