How can I claim rent on my income tax if my name isn't on the lease?

Question

I live at home and the rental lease is under my mom's name. However, I pay a substantial amount of rent on a regular basis.
How do I claim this without any proof? Will bank statements or cheques work?

Answer 1

In Canada, you can claim a property tax credit if you paid rent on your principal residence and, since you are living with your mom, you must be over 19 to be able to claim this credit. You can not claim it if she still receives Child Tax Credit benefits for you.

If YOU are paying a good chunk of the rent and you and mom are like roommates, then this is something that you have to work out with your mom. Maybe you could get separate rent receipts for the amounts you are each paying. Are you actually paying the rent? Or are you just contributing a portion of your expenses every month? If the amount you are paying to your mother is just helping out, then you really can't claim it. And, no, bank statements and cheques will not work as rent receipts.

Answer 2

If it can be done, documentation should take care of it. Supply copies of your rent checks/bank statement and, as a follow-up, see if you can get a letter stating you do live and pay rent there from the landlord.

I'm not sure what the laws or restrictions are for this, so try checking out the IRS web site for some information. If you can't find anything, they should have a toll free number you can call for information.

Answer 3

Unless you have an in-home-office there is no reason for you to claim the portion of the rent. You may however claim the portion of the rent for the area you are using for business even though you are not on the lease. In the future you might want to make your chk payable to the property owner for your portion but for now you may have your mother write a receipt of payment for your portion. She does not have to claim this as income unless she is part owner of your biz.

Answer 4

I believe that you just claim what you paid. They will put their rent down and the address so if you claim it all it will put a red flag up with the government. If you are still undecided or want to be 100% sufre you can always call the tax agency for enquires. The toll free number is in the phone book.

Answer 5

Paying rent isn't deductible. Why would you claim it?

If you needed to claim it on your returns, make sure you write "Rent - October 2007" (or whatever month and year the rent is for) on the memo portion of the checks. Then keep the cleared checks. If you're audited, you'll need those.

Answer 6

You need a reason to claim rent on your income tax. The fact that you pay rent, dosn't give you entitlement to claim it.

You could claim rent if it was a business expense, or if you were looking after your disabled mother, etc.

Answer 7

In many locales (including Spain, Australia, and the United States) rent used in a trade or business is tax deductible. Rent on a dwelling is not tax deductible.

Answer 8

Nope. You'd best get your name on that lease!