Planning a staycation in 2022? You can claim a tax credit if you travel to Ontario this year.
Overview
The temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit for 2022 aims to encourage Ontario families to explore the province.
Ontario residents can claim 20% of their eligible 2022 accommodation expenses when filing their personal Income Tax and Benefit returns for 2022.
The credit will provide an estimated $270 million in support to about 1.85 million Ontario families.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to claim the credit if you are an Ontario resident on December 31, 2022.
Only one individual per family can claim the credit for the year. Your claim can include the eligible expenses of your spouse or common-law partner and your eligible children. An eligible child is not entitled to claim the credit on their personal Income Tax and Benefit Return for 2022.
If you do not have a spouse, common-law partner, or eligible child, you can claim your eligible expenses for the credit.
Eligible expenses
You can claim the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit for accommodation expenses for a leisure stay of less than a month in Ontario, at a short-term or camping accommodation, such as a
- hotel
- motel
- resort
- lodge
- bed-and-breakfast establishment
- cottage
- campground
Short-term accommodation would generally not include timeshare agreements or a stay on a boat, train, or other vehicle that can be self-propelled.
The tax credit only applies to leisure stays between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, regardless of the timing of payment for the stays. The tax credit does not apply to business travel.
The accommodation expenses must also:
- have been paid by you, your spouse or common-law partner, or your eligible child, as set out on a detailed receipt
- have been subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), as set out on a detailed receipt
- not have been reimbursed to you, your spouse or common-law partner, or your eligible child, by any person, including by a friend or an employer
As long as all other conditions are met, you can claim any of the following expenses:
- accommodation for a single trip or multiple trips, up to the maximum expense limit of $1,000 as an individual or $2,000 as a family.
- accommodations booked either directly with the accommodation provider or through an online accommodation platform.
- the portion of the expense that is necessary to have access to the accommodation.
- the accommodation portion of a tour package is expensive.
How to claim the credit?
You must keep your detailed receipts for any eligible expenses you incur. Those receipts should include at least all of the following information:
- the location of the accommodation
- the amount that can reasonably be considered to be for the accommodation portion of a stay
- the GST/HST paid
- the date of the stay
- the name of the payor
You can claim the credit on your personal Income Tax and Benefit Return for 2022.
The Ontario Staycation Tax Credit is a refundable personal income tax credit. This means that if you are eligible, you can get this tax credit regardless of whether you owe income tax for 2022.
Maximize Your Tax Return
Filing Taxes can help you figure out how the staycation tax credits work out in various scenarios. Our professionals take into account the laws in your jurisdiction, so you get the maximum benefits no matter where in the country you live. If you would like a tax accountant to file your return, book a call with our tax expert to file your taxes from start to finish. Experts at Filing Taxes will be happy to assist you in this pursuit. To speak with an experienced accountant, contact Filing Taxes either at 416-479-8532 or [email protected]. Schedule an NTR engagement appointment with us and take the first step towards proper management of your finances.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not consider your personal situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from accounting and financial professionals. Salman Rundhawa and Filing Taxes will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.