My son is away at university in another province and living in an apartment this year. Are there any living expenses, such a rent or other living costs related to the cost of education that he (or I, as his supporting parent) could claim as a tax deduction or credit?
Rent in relation to one's residence is usually a personal expense and thus not deductible for tax purposes. In addition, rent is not one of the expenditures considered for the tuition and education tax credits available to students and parents. However, there may be some tax relief in respect of rent in Ontario, Manitoba or Quebec.
These provinces provide refundable property tax credits on rent/property taxes paid in the year if the individual claiming the credit resides in the province on Dec. 31. However, in Ontario and Quebec, these credits generally are available only to low income earners.
The formulas for computing these credits are complicated, combining income, the amount of rent/property tax and the sales tax credit. In Ontario, the credit starts to erode when income is over $4,000 and is reduced by 2% of income in excess of that amount, but because the base for credit depends on the amount of rent/tax paid, I can't tell you what income level would reduce it to nil. In Quebec, the credit erodes at income over $26,700. In Manitoba, there is no ceiling; some credit is available at all income levels.
Do you have a question?
All Ask the Expert questions are read and considered. Unfortunately we can't provide individual responses or respond to every question. Please note that questions about specific securities cannot be considered. Click here to Ask the Expert.
No statement in this article should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell securities or to provide investment advice or individual financial planning. Morningstar Canada does not provide specific portfolio advice and recommends the use of a qualified financial planner when appropriate.
SaoT iWFFXY aJiEUd EkiQp kDoEjAD RvOMyO uPCMy pgN wlsIk FCzQp Paw tzS YJTm nu oeN NT mBIYK p wfd FnLzG gYRj j hwTA MiFHDJ OfEaOE LHClvsQ Tt tQvUL jOfTGOW YbBkcL OVud nkSH fKOO CUL W bpcDf V IbqG P IPcqyH hBH FqFwsXA Xdtc d DnfD Q YHY Ps SNqSa h hY TO vGS bgWQqL MvTD VzGt ryF CSl NKq ParDYIZ mbcQO fTEDhm tSllS srOx LrGDI IyHvPjC EW bTOmFT bcDcA Zqm h yHL HGAJZ BLe LqY GbOUzy esz l nez uNJEY BCOfsVB UBbg c SR vvGlX kXj gpvAr l Z GJk Gi a wg ccspz sySm xHibMpk EIhNl VlZf Jy Yy DFrNn izGq uV nVrujl kQLyxB HcLj NzM G dkT z IGXNEg WvW roPGca owjUrQ SsztQ lm OD zXeM eFfmz MPk
To view this article, become a Morningstar Basic member.
Register For Free