Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Renters vs Homeowners

The Same Credit, Different Inputs

The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) — paid as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — is available to both renters and homeowners. Unlike the Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant, which is strictly for property owners, the OEPTC doesn't care whether you hold a deed or a lease. What changes is how you calculate your "occupancy cost" and which lines you fill on Form ON-BEN.

How Occupancy Cost Differs

For homeowners, occupancy cost equals the property taxes you paid on your principal residence during the tax year. You enter this on Line 61120 of Form ON-BEN.

For renters, occupancy cost equals 20% of the rent you paid for your principal residence. You enter total rent paid on Line 61100, and the CRA applies the 20% factor automatically in the credit formula.

This 20% rule exists because a portion of your rent implicitly covers the landlord's property taxes. The CRA doesn't need proof of what the landlord pays in taxes — just your total rent.

Maximum Amounts for 2026

For the 2026 benefit year (based on 2025 tax data):

• Seniors (64+ on December 31, 2025): maximum OEPTC of $1,488 ($290 energy + $1,198 property tax component)
• Non-seniors (18–63): maximum OEPTC of $1,307 ($290 energy + $1,017 property tax component)

These maximums are the same whether you rent or own. The difference is in how close you get to the maximum — which depends on your occupancy cost and income.

The Renter Gap

Here's where the math can feel unfair. A homeowner paying $4,000 in property taxes claims the full $4,000 as occupancy cost. A renter paying $1,500/month ($18,000/year) gets only 20% — $3,600 — as occupancy cost.

In practice, the renter needs to pay at least $2,000/month in rent for the 20% factor to match a typical suburban property tax bill. Many Ontario seniors in rent-controlled apartments pay less than that, which means their OEPTC tends to be lower than a homeowner's — even though their housing costs may be just as burdensome relative to income.

The OSHPTG Difference

The Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant ($500 maximum) is exclusively for homeowners. Renters cannot claim it. This creates a real gap: a senior homeowner with $40,000 in income might receive the OSHPTG ($500) plus a near-maximum OEPTC ($1,400+), totalling close to $2,000. A senior renter at the same income gets only the OEPTC.

There is no renter-specific equivalent of the OSHPTG in Ontario. The OEPTC is the only provincial property-tax-related credit available to tenants.

How to Claim as a Renter

Complete Form ON-BEN with your T1 tax return. Enter your total rent paid on Line 61100. You don't need to attach rent receipts when filing, but keep them for six years — the CRA can request proof at any time.

If you live in a housing co-op and don't own equity, your monthly housing charges count as rent (Line 61100). If you live in a retirement home and pay an all-inclusive fee, you need a letter from the residence breaking out the rent portion from care services — only the rent portion goes on Line 61100.

Seniors in public or non-profit long-term care homes use Line 61230 instead, entering their accommodation costs. The CRA treats 20% of those costs as eligible occupancy cost within the energy component.

When You've Lived as Both in the Same Year

If you sold your home partway through the year and moved into a rental, or vice versa, you can claim both — property taxes paid while you owned, plus 20% of rent paid while you rented. Enter both on Form ON-BEN. The CRA combines them into your total occupancy cost for the year.

Making Sure You're Not Leaving Money on the Table

The most common mistake for renters is simply not filing. If your income is below the taxable threshold, you might assume there's no point in doing a tax return. But the OEPTC is a refundable credit — you get paid even if you owe zero tax. You must file a T1 return with Form ON-BEN attached to receive it.

For a complete walkthrough of the OEPTC calculation for both renters and homeowners — including worked examples at different income levels — see the Ontario Property Tax Relief for Seniors guide.

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