Knowledge centre

AskRajiv.ca

September 7, 2026

Can a missed Toronto Vacant Home Tax declaration become the buyer’s problem?

Yes. Toronto says an undeclared property can be deemed vacant, the tax forms a lien on the property and a purchaser can become responsible. Buyers and sellers should address the declaration and tax status before closing.

September 7, 2026

Does the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit pay $50,000?

No. Up to $50,000 is the qualifying-expenditure ceiling for an eligible renovation—not the cheque amount. The refundable credit is a percentage of eligible costs and the rate can depend on the tax year.

September 7, 2026

Can short-term renting create GST/HST obligations beyond income tax?

Yes. Taxable short-term accommodation can create GST/HST registration, collection and input-tax-credit issues, and a change in commercial use can affect the later sale of the property.

September 7, 2026

Is mortgage interest deductible after I refinance my home to invest?

Deductibility generally follows the current use of the borrowed money—not simply the property used as collateral. Clear tracing, a legal obligation to pay interest and an eligible income-earning purpose are central.

September 7, 2026

Can claiming CCA on a rental property create a larger tax problem later?

Yes. CCA may reduce current rental income, but a later sale can produce recapture, and prior CCA can prevent certain principal-residence change-of-use elections.

September 7, 2026

Does renting a basement automatically jeopardize the principal-residence exemption?

Not automatically. CRA examines whether the income-producing use is ancillary, whether there was a structural change and whether CCA was claimed. A more substantial partial conversion can create change-of-use consequences.

September 7, 2026

Can a section 45(3) election defer tax when a rental becomes my home?

Potentially. A subsection 45(3) election may defer the deemed disposition when an income-producing property becomes a principal residence, but prior CCA claims can make the election unavailable.

September 7, 2026

Can a section 45(2) election defer tax when my home becomes a rental?

Potentially. A subsection 45(2) election can defer the deemed disposition that normally occurs when a principal residence becomes an income-producing property, but conditions and future consequences matter.

September 7, 2026

Do I still report the sale if my principal-residence gain is fully exempt?

Yes. A principal-residence sale must generally be reported and the property designated on Schedule 3 and Form T2091(IND), even when the exemption is expected to eliminate the gain.

September 7, 2026

Can I claim Ontario’s first-time-buyer land-transfer-tax refund if my spouse owned a home?

It depends on when your spouse owned the home and whether you occupied it together while married or common-law. Being off title does not automatically preserve the refund.