Claiming Ontario’s 2022 Staycation Tax Credit for Your Camping Trip

The province of Ontario announced a Staycation Credit to encourage in-province tourism in 2022 as Ontario businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector is financially recovering from 2-years of Covid-19 related lockdowns and restrictions.

For the camping world, this is great news for both the campers and the parks.

Who is eligible?
All Ontario residents on December 31, 2022 can claim the tax credit. Only one individual per family can claim the credit. However, if you have a spouse or a common-law partner, the amount you can claim doubles.

How much can I claim?
You can claim up to $1,000 as an individual. If you have a spouse or a common-law partner, you may claim up to $2,000.

How much do I get back?
You will get back 20%. So as individuals can claim up to $1,000, individuals can receive up to $200. With a spouse or common-law partner, up to $400.

What expenses can you claim?
Only short-term accommodations can be claimed (for stays under 1-month). Accommodations in hotels, motels, resorts, lodges, bed-and-breakfast establishments, cottages and of course our favourite, campgrounds.

Time-share agreements, stays on a boat, train and other self-propelled vehicles are not included.

For camper, it means that we can only claim the park reservation fees itself. Other expense such as gas, food or firewood does not apply.

What are the requirements?
1. The tax credit applies to leisure stays between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 within the province of Ontario.

2. The expenses must have been paid by the person claiming the credit, their spouse or common-law partner or an eligible child.
3. Have been subjected to a GST or HST and it is detailed on the receipt.
4. The expense must not have been reimbursed by anyone (including a friend or an employer)
5. Accommodations could be booked either directly with the accommodation provider or through a third-party accommodation platform.
6. If it is a tour package expense, the accommodation portion of the tour package can be claimed.

How to claim the tax credit
 You will claim this when you do your 2022 taxes, most likely in 2023. You must keep the receipts that details the following:

1. Location of the accommodation
2. Accommodation portion of the amount
3. GST/HST paid
4. Date of the stay
5. Name of the payor

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