Yes, moving expenses are tax-deductible in Canada, provided the following criteria are met as outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):

  • If you moved to a new home to work or to run a business out of a new location.
  • If you earned employment income or self-employment income at your new work location.
  • If you moved to be a full-time attendee in a post-secondary program at a university, college, or other educational institution.

Most importantly, to qualify, your new home must be at least 40 kilometres closer to your new work, business, or school, measured by the shortest public route.

Transportation and Storage

You can deduct the cost of hiring professional movers, including full packing service, or the cost of renting a truck or trailer, and any necessary equipment for loading.

If you decide to do your own packing, you can deduct the cost of packing supplies such as boxes, tape, and wrapping materials like bubble and stretch wrap.

Storage – you can claim up to 3 months of storage fees.

Travel and Temporary Living Expenses

You can claim up to 15 days of temporary lodging and meals for you and your family, which includes:

Meals

Food costs for you and your household while en route to your new home.

Lodging

Hotel or Airbnb stays during the journey.

Vehicle Expenses

This includes fuel, repairs needed for the trip or along the trip, and toll charges.

Cancelling a Lease

The cost of cancelling your lease for your old home is tax- deductible. However, rental payments made before the lease cancellation are not eligible.

Incidental Costs
  • Changing your address on legal documents
  • Replacing driving licences and non-commercial vehicle permits (not including insurance)
  • Utility hook-ups and disconnections
Cost to maintain your old home

If you made reasonable efforts to sell your old home but it remained vacant after you moved to your new location, you may be able to deduct the following expenses, up to a maximum of $5,000.

  • Interest
  • Property taxes
  • Insurance premiums

Please note that this deduction does not apply if your old home is rented. The home must remain vacant to qualify.

Costs to sell your old home

You can deduct the following expenses:

  • Advertising
  • Notary or legal fees
  • Real estate commission
  • Mortgage penalty if the mortgage is paid off before maturity
Costs associated with buying the new home

Eligible expenses include:

  • Legal or Notary Fees
  • Taxes paid (other than GST/HST) for the land transfer or registration of title to the new home.

For more information on tax-deductible moving expenses in Canada, including a list of expenses that can and cannot be deducted, go to the CRA website by clicking here. You can also download the form T1-M Moving Expenses Deductions.

For a moving quote, contact Premiere Van Lines, a national moving company with 10 locations in Canada.