The B.C. renter’s tax credit gives renters up to $400 a year when they file their income tax return. You get the full amount if your household’s adjusted income is under $64,764 for the 2025 tax year, or under $66,189 for the 2026 tax year. Above that, the credit shrinks, and it reaches zero at $84,764 (2025) or $86,189 (2026).
The credit is refundable, so you can get it even if you owe no tax. You claim it on form BC479 with your tax return. It is not paid separately. Figures below are from the Government of British Columbia, as of September 2026.
How much you can get
The most you can get is $400 per tax year. The amount depends only on your adjusted income, not on how much rent you pay.
| Tax year | Full $400 if adjusted income is under | Reduced credit between | No credit at or above |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $66,189 | $66,189 and $86,189 | $86,189 |
| 2025 | $64,764 | $64,764 and $84,764 | $84,764 |
| 2024 | $63,000 | $63,000 and $83,000 | $83,000 |
| 2023 | $60,000 | $60,000 and $80,000 | $80,000 |
How the reduction works
The credit goes down by 2% of your adjusted income above the threshold. For example, for the 2025 tax year, if your adjusted income was $70,000:
- $70,000 minus $64,764 is $5,236
- 2% of $5,236 is $104.72
- your credit is $400 minus $104.72, or $295.28
For the 2026 tax year, with an adjusted income of $75,000, the credit would be $400 minus 2% of $8,811, or $223.78.
The income thresholds are indexed to inflation each year.
What adjusted income means
Adjusted income is your net income plus your spouse’s or common-law partner’s net income, if you have one, with certain adjustments. You must include your spouse’s income even if they are not eligible for the credit. Any rent subsidy you get does not reduce the credit.
Who qualifies
You can claim the credit for a tax year if, during that year:
- you lived in an eligible rental unit in B.C. under a tenancy agreement, licence, sublease or similar arrangement
- you lived in eligible rental units for at least 6 one-month periods. These can be at different addresses, but stays of less than a month do not count
- rent was paid for the unit
On December 31 of the tax year, you must also have been a B.C. resident and one of the following:
- 19 or older
- a parent
- living with a spouse or common-law partner
Places that count
An eligible rental unit can be a house, apartment, condo, townhouse, basement suite, detached suite or carriage house. Rented units in these places may also count:
- co-op housing or life lease arrangements
- college and university dorms
- long-term care, assisted living or seniors’ independent living
- motels and hotels
- shared housing with roommates
- subsidized and supportive housing
- employer-owned housing, if you pay rent to your employer or it comes off your pay
Rent paid for you by BC Housing, a group home, Home Share or another organization still counts, as long as you meet the other rules.
Who cannot claim
You cannot claim the credit if:
- your spouse or common-law partner has already claimed it for the year
- the unit qualifies for the home owner grant, or you own the unit, including through shares in a housing co-op
- you pay rent to a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child, or under a rent-to-own plan
- you pay only for a campsite, moorage, or a mobile home or trailer pad
- you were in prison on December 31 and were confined for more than 6 months in the year
- you died before the end of the year
Roommates who are not a couple can each claim their own credit.
If one spouse lives in a care home and the other lives elsewhere, only one of them can claim, even though they rent separately.
How to apply
- File your T1 income tax and benefit return for the year. You must file to get the credit.
- Complete form BC479, British Columbia Credits, which is part of your B.C. tax return.
- For each rental unit, enter the address, the total rent you paid, the number of months you lived there, and the name of the landlord or company you paid.
- Keep proof of the rent you paid and your landlord’s name. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may ask for it after you file.
If you already filed and forgot to claim the credit, wait until you get your notice of assessment, then ask the CRA to change your return.
If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a free tax clinic through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may do your return for free.
When you get it
You get the credit through your tax return, not as a separate payment.
- If you owe tax, the credit lowers the amount you owe.
- If the credit is more than the federal and B.C. income tax you owe, you get the difference as part of your refund.
For the 2025 tax year, you claim it on the 2025 return you file in 2026. For the 2026 tax year, you claim it on your 2026 return, filed in 2027.
Things to watch for
- Not filing a return. Even with no income, you must file to get the credit.
- Both spouses claiming. Only one person in a couple can claim.
- Short rentals. You need at least 6 full one-month periods of renting in B.C. in the year.
- Pad rent. Rent for a mobile home pad, campsite or moorage does not count.
- Renting from family. Rent paid to a parent, child, sibling, grandparent or spouse does not qualify.
- Scams. The credit only comes through your tax return. No government asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. See the scams page for common tricks.
Other help may also be available. Use the benefits checkup, and seniors who rent may also want to look at the SAFER rent subsidy.
Common questions
How much is the B.C. renter’s tax credit for 2026?
Up to $400. For the 2026 tax year, you get the full amount if your adjusted income is under $66,189, and a reduced amount up to $86,189.
How do you claim the B.C. renter’s tax credit?
Fill in form BC479 when you file your income tax return. Enter your rental address, rent paid, months rented and your landlord’s name.
Is the B.C. renter’s tax credit paid monthly?
No. It is part of your tax refund or lowers the tax you owe. There is no separate payment.
Can seniors in assisted living claim the renter’s tax credit?
Yes, if they rent and pay for a unit in long-term care, assisted living or seniors’ independent living and meet the other rules.
Can roommates both claim the credit?
Yes. Roommates who are not married or common-law can each claim their own credit if they each meet the rules.
Who to contact with questions
For questions about your claim or refund, call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. For general questions about the credit, call the B.C. government at 1-877-387-3332 or email [email protected].
