Line 255 - How to calculate the residency deduction

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Line 255 - How to calculate the residency deduction

There are two parts to the residency deduction:

  • Basic residency amount - Claim this amount for the number of days in the year that you lived in a prescribed zone; and
  • Additional residency amount - Claim this amount for the days you used to calculate your basic residency amount if you maintained and lived in a dwelling in the prescribed zone during that time and you are the only person claiming the basic residency amount for living in that same dwelling for that period.

Deduction limits for the residency deduction

  • If you lived in a prescribed northern zone (Zone A), you can claim:
    • a basic residency amount of $11.00 for each day that you lived in this zone; plus
    • an additional residency amount of $11.00 for each day you lived in this zone if you maintained a dwelling and you are the only person claiming the basic residency amount for that period and dwelling.
  • If you lived in a prescribed intermediate zone (Zone B), you can claim:
    • a basic residency amount of $5.50 for each day that you lived in this zone; plus
    • an additional residency amount of $5.50 for each day you lived in this zone if you maintained a dwelling and you are the only person claiming the basic residency amount for that period and dwelling.

Example

Katie and her husband John moved from Vancouver, British Columbia, to their new house in Old Fort, Alberta, on March 15, 2016.

Old Fort, Alberta, is listed as a prescribed northern zone (Zone A). Since Katie and John lived in the prescribed zone for a continuous period of at least six consecutive months (March 15, 2016 to December 31, 2016 = 8.5 months [292 days]), they are each entitled to claim the basic residency amount of $11.00 for each day for 292 days in 2016.

John does not claim the residency deduction for 2016. Therefore, Katie can claim a basic residency amount of $11.00 for each day that she lived in Old Fort (292 days) and an additional residency amount of $11.00 for each day (292 days) because she is the only person in her household claiming the basic residency amount.

To claim these amounts, Katie must complete the “Zone A section in Step 2 - Calculate your residency deduction of Form T2222, Northern Residents Deductions.”

If John claims the residency deduction for 2016, Katie cannot claim the additional residency amount because she is not the only person in her household claiming the basic residency amount.

If only one person in a household claims the basic residency amount for a particular period and dwelling, that person can also claim the additional residency amount. To claim the deduction that most benefits your household, you should consider the taxable income of all the members of your household when deciding which one of you will claim the residency deduction.

To calculate your residency deduction, complete Step 2 of Form T2222, Northern Residents Deductions, for Zone A or Zone B, as indicated in Step 1.

What is a dwelling?

A dwelling means a self-contained domestic establishment. Generally, this is a complete and separate living unit with a kitchen, bathroom, sleeping facilities, and its own private access. It includes a house, apartment, mobile home, or other similar place of residence in which a person usually sleeps and eats. It does not include a bunkhouse, dormitory, hotel room, or room in a boarding house.

Dwelling provided rent-free by an employer

We consider you to have maintained and lived in a dwelling, even if your employer let you live there rent-free and paid all the utility, maintenance, and other costs related to the dwelling. Each person living in the dwelling can claim the basic residency amount as a deduction on their return. However, if more than one person claims the basic residency amount for a particular period and dwelling, no one in that household can claim the additional residency amount for that period and dwelling.

Principal place of residence not located in a prescribed zone

If your principal place of residence is not in a prescribed zone, you may still qualify for all or a portion of the basic residency amount for living at a special work site provided that the site is located in a prescribed zone and you resided at the site for at least six consecutive months.

If the special work site is located in a population center of at least 40,000 persons or within less than 30 kilometres from such a center, reduce your residency amount by the amount of non-taxable board and lodging benefits you received for working in this special work site. Enter, on line 4 or 9 of Form T2222, the amount of non-taxable board and lodging benefits you received that is shown in box 31 of your T4 slip, or in box 124 of your T4A slip.

If the special work site is located 30 kilometres or more from a population center of at least 40,000 persons, do not enter, on line 4 or 9 of Form T2222, the amount of non-taxable board and lodging benefits you received for working in this special work site.

For more information about special work sites, go to Interpretation Bulletin IT-91, Employment at Special Work Sites or Remote Work Locations.

Forms and publications

Date modified:
2017-01-17

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