Tips and Tricks

To save on your cleaning

Who Can Claim Home Cleaning Taxes?

House cleaning may be tax-deductible for:

1. Self-Employed Individuals and Home-Based Businesses

If you run a business from home, the portion of your home used for work can qualify for home office deductions. This includes cleaning expenses for that portion.

Key Criteria:

  • Space must be your principal place of business
  • Used regularly and exclusively for business

If your home office takes up 20% of your home, you can deduct 20% of your annual cleaning expenses.

2. Landlords and Rental Property Owners

Cleaning services used for maintaining or preparing a rental property are considered a valid business expense.

When it Applies:

  • Cleaning between tenants
  • Regular maintenance of rental units or shared spaces

Tip: Keep invoices and service records tied to your rental income reports.

3. Medical Necessity

If cleaning is needed due to a medical condition, you may qualify for a medical expense deduction. This must be recommended by a licensed healthcare provider.

What You Need:

  • Doctor’s note or prescription
  • Service invoices
  • Proof of payment

Only the portion of expenses directly linked to your medical need is deductible.

4. Accessibility and Disability Support

If you’re making your home more accessible for someone with disabilities, the Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) may apply. This includes maintenance that supports accessibility, such as cleaning.

Conditions:

  • Home modifications for seniors or people with disabilities
  • Services must contribute to a safer, more accessible living space

What Kind of Cleaning Services Can Be Claimed?

When it comes to tax deductions in Canada depending on your situation — whether it’s for a home office, rental property, medical needs, or accessibility purposes — certain types of cleaning services may be eligible for tax deductions.

1. Regular Cleaning

  • Examples:
    Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, general surface cleaning.
  • When It’s Eligible:
    • If used exclusively for maintaining a home office space.
    • For routine maintenance of rental properties.

Tip: Only the portion related to the business or rental use can be deducted.

2. Deep Cleaning

  • Examples:
    Scrubbing baseboards, cleaning behind appliances, washing blinds.
  • When It’s Eligible:
    • During move-in or move-out cleaning for a rental property.
    • When needed for disability-related modifications or medical conditions.

Tip: Keep deep cleaning invoices separate if you’re claiming for accessibility or medical needs.

3. Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning

  • Examples:
    Cleaning after tenants move out or preparing a space for new tenants.
  • When It’s Eligible:
    • As part of rental property turnover.
    • When relocating a home-based business to a new property.

Tip: Save both the cleaning invoice and proof of the rental or business-related move.

4. Specialized Cleaning Services

  • Examples:
    Carpet cleaning, window washing, post-renovation cleanup.
  • When It’s Eligible:
    • If required to maintain a rental property.
    • If related to creating or maintaining a safe, accessible living space (qualifies under the Home Accessibility Tax Credit).

Tip: Specialized services must be clearly tied to income-earning properties or medical/accessibility needs.