26 February 2010 Ministerial Correspondence 2010-0354981M4 - HRTC-Pellet Insert

Please note that the following document, although believed to be correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the CRA.
Prenez note que ce document, bien qu'exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la position actuelle de l'ARC.

Principal Issues: Would a pellet insert for a fireplace qualify as an eligible expenditure for the HRTC.

Position: Generally, yes. A pellet insert requires an electrical connection [hard wiring] with most inserts requiring a conventional flue. A pellet insert for a fireplace that is hard wired directly to the electrical panel and utilizes a conventional flue would be enduring in nature and integral to an eligible dwelling and will qualify as eligible expenditures for the HRTC.

Reasons: Legislation

XXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXX :

The office of the Honourable James M. Flaherty, Minister of Finance, forwarded to my predecessor, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, a copy of your correspondence, which was received on January 18, 2010, concerning the new home renovation tax credit (HRTC). In particular, you want to know if the purchase and installation of a pellet insert for your fireplace qualifies for the HRTC.

The legislation regarding the new HRTC has been enacted and is contained in section 118.04 of the Income Tax Act. The HRTC provides individuals with a temporary

15% non-refundable income tax credit on eligible home renovation expenditures for services received or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. However, expenditures for services received or goods acquired under agreements entered into before January 28, 2009, do not qualify for the HRTC. Taxpayers can claim this credit for the 2009 tax year on eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, which will result in a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350.

Under section 118.04, expenditures qualify for the HRTC if they are directly attributable to a renovation or an alteration of an eligible dwelling, including land that forms part of the eligible dwelling, and if the renovation or alteration is of an enduring nature and is integral to the eligible dwelling. Such expenditures include the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, and permits.

An eligible dwelling is a housing unit located in Canada that is owned by the individual, at the time of the renovation, and ordinarily inhabited by the individual, his or her current or former spouse or current or former common-law partner, or his or her children at any time after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. Therefore, any housing unit that an individual owns and uses personally, including a home and a cottage, qualifies for the HRTC.

Most pellet inserts require an electrical connection (hard-wired), as well as a conventional flue. Providing that all the above conditions are met, the purchase and installation of a pellet insert for your fireplace, which is hard-wired directly to the eligible dwelling's electrical panel and which utilizes a conventional flue, qualifies for the HRTC.

You can find more information on the HRTC on the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/hrtc and in the Government of Canada brochure available at www.actionplan.gc.ca/grfx/docs/hrtc_eng.pdf.

I trust that the information I have provided is helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Keith Ashfield
Minister of National Revenue

George A. Robertson
(905) 721-5196
2010-035498