Is House Cleaning Tax Deductible in Alberta?

Is House Cleaning Tax Deductible in Alberta?

House cleaning for personal use is not tax deductible in Alberta. However, several common situations allow Albertans to deduct all or part of their cleaning costs on their CRA tax return. Understanding these rules can save you real money — especially if you work from home or own rental property in Calgary.

When Cleaning IS Tax Deductible in Alberta

**1. Home office deduction (self-employed and employees)**

If you work from home and claim the home office deduction, you can deduct a proportional share of your cleaning costs. The formula is:

(Home office square footage ÷ Total home square footage) × Annual cleaning cost = Deductible amount

Example: Your Calgary home is 1,500 sq ft. Your dedicated office is 150 sq ft (10%). You spend $2,400/year on professional cleaning. You can deduct $240 as a business expense.

To qualify, the space must be your principal place of business or used exclusively for earning income on a regular and continuous basis. A desk in the corner of the bedroom does not qualify.

**2. Rental property cleaning (AirBnB and long-term rentals)**

All cleaning expenses for rental properties are fully deductible as operating expenses. This includes: - AirBnB turnover cleaning between guests - Move-out cleaning after a tenant vacates - Regular maintenance cleaning for furnished rentals - Cleaning supplies purchased for the property

Keep all receipts. If you clean the property yourself, you cannot deduct your own time, but you can deduct any supplies purchased.

**3. Business property**

If your business owns or leases office space, commercial cleaning is a fully deductible business operating expense. For Calgary businesses using Three North Clean for commercial cleaning, all invoices qualify.

When Cleaning is NOT Deductible

- Cleaning your personal residence for personal use - Cleaning done primarily to prepare a home for a social event - Cleaning a home office where the space is not exclusively used for business

How to Claim Cleaning Deductions in Alberta

For **self-employed individuals**: Report cleaning expenses on Form T2125 (Statement of Business or Professional Activities), under "Other expenses." Calculate the business-use percentage carefully.

For **rental property owners**: Report on Schedule T776 (Statement of Real Estate Rentals) under "Maintenance and repairs."

For **employees working from home**: Use Form T777 (Statement of Employment Expenses). Note that the eligibility rules for employees claiming home office expenses are stricter than for self-employed individuals.

Keep Your Receipts

Whether you use Three North Clean or another Calgary cleaning company, always request an itemized invoice. CRA may ask for documentation of any expense claim. Digital receipts stored in a folder by tax year are sufficient — you do not need originals if you have a clear digital copy.