For a corporation with a December year end, heat pumps that went into service in 2023 or 2024 have until December 31, 2026 to be claimed under the federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, if the credit was not claimed with that year's return. Heat pumps that went into service in 2025 generally have until June 30, 2027. The rule, and the dates for other year ends, are below.
The rule
The credit is claimed on a prescribed form filed with the tax return for the year the equipment became available for use. For a corporation, that form is Schedule 75. If it was not filed, section 127.45(3) of the Income Tax Act still allows it up to the later of two dates, December 31, 2026, or one year after that year's filing due date. After the later date, the Act does not allow the claim for that year.
Which projects that puts on the December 31 list
A corporation's tax return is due six months after its year end. Add one year to that due date and compare the result with December 31, 2026. Whichever is later is the last day to claim.
| Tax year end (the year the heat pump went into service) | Return due | One year after that | Last day to claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2026 |
| December 31, 2024 | June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| December 31, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | June 30, 2027 | June 30, 2027 |
| March 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2026 |
| March 31, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| September 30, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2027 | March 31, 2027 |
Put simply, if the tax year in which a heat pump went into service ended on or before June 30, 2025, the last day to claim it is December 31, 2026. Later year ends have later dates.
The table is for corporations. A real estate investment trust files a trust return on a different schedule, so its dates are worked out separately. Your accountant confirms the date for each entity and year.
What sets the year
The year that counts is the one in which the equipment became available for use. That usually lines up with when it went into service, not with when it was ordered. Where a project ran across a year end, confirm which year applies before anything else.
Quick answers
Does taking a utility rebate rule the project out? No. A BC Hydro or FortisBC rebate comes off the cost before the credit is worked out, so the credit is smaller but still there.
Who claims it, the owner or the property manager? The entity that owns the building, and it has to be a taxable Canadian corporation or a real estate investment trust that is a mutual fund trust. The federal credit page covers partnerships and the rest of the basics.
Is December 31 the end of the credit? No. That date is about catching up on past projects. For new equipment the credit runs at up to 30% through the end of 2033, then 15% in 2034.
What to pull together for each project
Six facts settle whether the date applies to a project.
- The building the heat pump serves
- The legal entity that owns that building
- That entity's tax year end
- The date the equipment went into service
- Whether a utility rebate was paid on it
- Whether the credit was already claimed with that year's return
The property manager usually holds the building, the in-service date and the rebate. The owner's accountant holds the entity, its year end and whether a claim went in. Put the two halves together and the table above gives the last day for each project.
Where I fit
I work on the owner's side, on completed and planned equipment projects. I sort out which ones are worth taking to your accountant, and what each one needs before it goes. Your accountant advises on the claim and files it. I do not prepare tax returns or give tax advice.
If heat pumps have gone into your buildings since March 2023 and you are not sure they were claimed, email info@vandecarb.ca or book a discovery call. Your accountant needs time to prepare and file, so plan to have the project list ready weeks before December 31, not days.
General information, not tax advice. Your accountant confirms the date and the claim for each entity and year. Sources: Income Tax Act, section 127.45; Canada Revenue Agency, How and when to claim the Clean Technology ITC; Canada Revenue Agency, When to file your corporation income tax return; Canada Revenue Agency, Who can claim the Clean Technology ITC. Checked October 20, 2026.