The British Columbia government offers the Renter’s tax credit to provide support and financial relief to low- to middle-income earners and households. The 2023 tax year was the start of this credit, and the Canada Revenue Agency is responsible for administering the credit for the province.
The credit is given to British Columbian tenants for rental units that qualify credit requirements.. People who have filed for the 2024 tax year or are yet to file can get this credit if they meet the eligibility requirements. The last date to file the T1 Income tax and Benefit return is 30 April 2025.
Those BC tenants who qualify for this credit can anticipate receiving up to $400 in refundable credit. The payout amount depends on your adjusted gross income for the tax year, hence, it can be higher for some or smaller for others.
| Who qualifies? | BC tenants living in the eligible rental unit and paid the rent for the tax year |
| Maxi. Amount | $400 |
| Rental Criteria | Eligible Rental Unit only |
| Income threshold (2024 tax year) | $63k to $83k |
| Income Threshold (2025 tax year) | $64,764 to $84,764 |
| Deadline to claim | 30 April 2025 |
| How to claim? | File the T1 Income tax and benefit return |
| Administered by | CRA |
| Official Website | https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/renters-tax-credit |
Who is eligible?
Since the BC Renter tax credit was introduced in 2023, the following requirements have been met to be eligible for the credit:
- You must be living in an eligible rental unit in the British Columbia province in the tax year with a tenancy agreement, sublease agreement, or similar agreement, or license.
- You must have occupied the eligible rental unit for at least six months in the BC. You can be living in a different rental unit during the year, but it should meet the six-month period criteria.
- The rent of the rental unit you are applying for must be paid.
- You have to be a resident of British Columbia as of December 31 of the tax year, be at least eighteen years old or above, be a parent, or live with a spouse or common-law partner.
Important Note: If the tenants are roommates or common-law partners who are not married can claim the credit for each of their claims when they rent the eligible rental unit if they meet the above-mentioned criteria.
Eligible Rental Unit
The tenants in BC who are wondering about the eligible rental Unit under the Renter tax credit can check the list below:
- Condominium
- Single-family dwelling
- Basement Suite
- Apartment
- Townhouse
- Carriage House
- Detached Suite.
If you have paid the rent for the following type of accommodations, it may be counted as an eligible rental unit as well:
- Cooperative housing or life lease agreements (only when it’s not your own house)
- Motel or hotel
- Supportive Housing
- University or college Dormitories
- Shared Housing unit
- Employer-owned accommodation( where you pay the rent deducted from your salary)
- Subsidized Housing
The rent of the eligible rental unit should be paid either directly by the tenant or by another organization paying on behalf of the tenant.
Credit Amount
According to the credit guidelines, residents in British Columbia who apply for the renter’s tax credit for the 2024 tax year will be eligible for a $400 refundable credit this year.
The claimants should know that the amount of credit can be reduced based on the adjusted gross income of the filer.
For the 2024 tax year, the income threshold is $63,000. If the adjusted gross income of the filer is above $63,000, the credit amount will decrease by 2%, and if the income reaches $83,000, the credit amount will become zero for the filer.
The authority adjusted the income threshold for each year to ensure that it matches the pace of inflation. The income threshold for the 2025 tax year has been changed to $64,764. The payment will phase out if the adjusted income of the claimants reaches $84,764 in the 2025 tax year, due in 2026.
Steps to claim
The BC tenant who meets the eligibility requirements and lives in the eligible rental unit can follow the steps below to file the income tax and benefit return:
- First, you should ensure your eligibility for the tax credit and gather documents you will need, such as rent-paid evidence, tenancy agreements, and others.
- Next, take the form BC479 British Columbia Credit and fill out the form with the necessary information, such as rental unit details, landlord name, rental address, and others.
- Next, fill out the form T1 Income tax and Benefit return with the Canada Revenue Agency either online or offline. You can also use the CRA NETFILE Service-certified Tax software.
BC tenants have just 16 days more to claim the BC renter’s tax credit for the 2024 tax year, so if you wish to receive the credit of up to$400, file your return before 30 April 2025.