Moving to a new home is a major life event — and in Canada, under specific conditions, you can claim moving expenses on your taxes. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you are eligible if your new residence is at least 40 kilometers closer to your workplace, business, or place of study. However, if you work fully from home, you usually cannot claim moving costs. If you operate a home office as part of your remote work, some operating expenses might be deductible.

In this guide, we explain who qualifies, which moving expenses are reimbursable, which are not, and how to properly claim them when relocating with residential movers in Surrey.

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Who Can Claim Moving Expenses in Canada?

To qualify for a tax deduction:

• Your move must be closely related to starting a new job, operating a business, or attending full-time post-secondary education.
• Your new home must be at least 40 km closer to your place of work or school compared to your old home.

Relocations for reasons like better weather or a nicer neighborhood do not qualify unless they meet the work or study distance requirement.

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8 Tax-Deductible Moving Expenses in 2024

When you move with residential movers in Surrey or elsewhere in Canada, many of your relocation costs are eligible for tax deductions. Here’s what you can claim:

1. Storage and Moving Services

Expenses such as:

• Hiring professional movers
• Packing and labor fees
• Truck rentals
• Storage costs during the move
• Moving insurance
• Transporting large watercraft

These also cover furniture moving in Surrey and other related services.

2. Travel Expenses

You can deduct travel costs for you and your family, including:

• Transportation fares
• Meals
• Temporary lodging while en route to your new home

Both residential movers and commercial movers in Surrey often assist with these relocations.

3. Temporary Living Costs

You can claim accommodation expenses for up to 15 days if you require temporary housing because of your move.

4. Lease Cancellation Fees

If you need to break a rental lease early due to the move, you can claim:

• Lease cancellation fees (with a receipt)
• Note: Overdue rent payments are not deductible.

5. Incidental Moving Costs

These include:

• Driver’s license replacement
• Updating legal documents
• Utility disconnection and reconnection fees

6. Maintaining Your Old Home

If your old home is vacant while being sold or rented out, you can claim up to $5,000 for:

• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• Utilities
• Insurance premiums

7. Selling Your Old Home

Deductible costs when selling include:

• Advertising
• Legal and notary fees
• Real estate commission
• Mortgage penalties for early repayment

8. Purchasing a New Home

You can claim:

• Legal fees (excluding GST/HST)
• Land transfer taxes related to transferring ownership

Important: Always keep detailed receipts to make tax filing easier.

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6 Moving Expenses That Are NOT Reimbursable

Before filing your moving expense claims, be aware that some costs cannot be deducted:

1. Home Improvements

Renovations like:

• Installing pools
• Major upgrades (plumbing, electrical systems) These are not deductible, even if they help sell your home.

2. Prohibited Items

Professional movers are prohibited from transporting:

• Alcohol
• Ammunition
• Firearms
• Pets
• Plants

Costs related to these items cannot be claimed.

3. Repairs and Cleaning

If you pay for:

• Repairing wall damages
• Deep cleaning rental units These costs are not eligible.

4. Mail Forwarding

The cost of forwarding mail after your move is not deductible.

5. Searching for a New Home or School

Travel expenses incurred while visiting potential homes or schools are not claimable.

6. Loss from Home Sale

If you sell your home at a loss, you cannot deduct the financial loss on your tax return.

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How to Calculate Your Claim for Moving Expenses

The CRA offers two methods for claiming moving costs when using residential movers in Surrey:

Comprehensive Method

• Save all receipts and documentation.
• Claim actual amounts spent on meals, vehicle use, and travel.

Simplified Method

• Use a flat rate per kilometer for travel.
• Claim a fixed daily amount for meals.
• Keep minimal receipts (but it’s still recommended).

Most experts recommend saving all receipts, even when using the simplified method, for added security if the CRA requests proof.

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Important Tips When Using Residential Movers in Surrey

• Always request detailed, itemized invoices from your moving company.
• Save both paper and digital copies of all receipts related to moving costs.
• Stay informed about any CRA updates or changes to moving expense policies.

If you’ve hired long-distance residential movers in Surrey, detailed record-keeping will help you maximize your tax deductions and avoid missing out on eligible claims.

When in doubt, consult a tax professional to ensure you qualify and file your moving expenses correctly.

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Final Thoughts

Relocating with the help of professional residential movers in Surrey can be an exciting fresh start. Plus, if you meet CRA’s criteria, you can ease the financial burden by claiming eligible moving expenses on your taxes. Always maintain thorough records, stay informed about CRA guidelines, and seek expert advice when needed.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate your move and make the most of your tax deductions!

With your complete moving checklist and a set budget, it’s time to focus on packing. A room-by-room packing checklist will help you stay organized throughout the move. A packing checklist can help you make sure nothing is overlooked or improperly divided when packing for a move. Whether you’re doing it alone, with assistance, or employing professional packers, a checklist will ensure a seamless relocation in Vancouver.

You should save your packing checklist in a digital spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Excel). You can also use a home inventory app to store your room-by-room moving checklist. Compared to paper lists, these digital formats are more manageable, portable, and easily editable.

Room By Room Checklist

The nine crucial rooms of a house to pack are divided into the following divisions, along with useful sample lists.

The Living Area

First, let’s look at the living room, which often has a mixture of lights, furniture, electronics, and ornamental accents.

Some items to put on your packing list for your living room are:

• Electronics, such as speakers, TVs, and game consoles
• Furnishings: sofa, coffee table, bookcases
• Ornamental objects (pots, paintings, and rugs)
• Magazines and Books

You can put objects like office furniture, kid’s play areas, and pet sanctuaries on this list if you use a portion of your living room for those purposes. Organize these items in a way that makes the most sense to you. Lastly, make a sublist nested under this one, or handle it like its own room. Now that you’re strapped in, let’s get on to your bedroom packing checklist.

Bedroom

Continue your room-by-room packing with the bedroom. Then tackle any additional bedrooms you may have by going room by room on your checklist. You have options if you have different kinds of bedrooms, such as a kids’ bedroom and a master bedroom. A larger “Bedroom” heading can have subheadings, or you can design separate sections for each. Select the strategy that works best for you.

Some items to put on your packing list for your bedroom are:

• Clothes (including shoes and accessories)

• Bedding (comforter, pillows, and sheets)

• Furnishings (nightstands, dresser, and bed frame)

• Personal goods (beauty products, jewellery)

Probably the most diverse range of packing supplies will be utilized in the bedroom. You need blankets, foam corners, packing tapes, mattress covers, and other furniture protection supplies. You also need standard boxes for folded things and books, as well as wardrobe boxes for clothes.

Make a list of the packing materials needed for each room to ensure you order the appropriate supplies on time. All you need is to make the checklist and hand it over to the team of professional packers.

Kitchen

Packing a kitchen seems the most intimidating room to pack due to its sheer volume and variety of products. Hence, a fruitful packing strategy is eventually necessary for the ease of home furniture removal team in Vancouver.

It will be helpful to note how early products can be packed in the kitchen. Less frequently used appliances and tools can be packed ahead of time, and daily necessities must remain within reach until the very last meal.

Remember to save the cleaning supplies for last because you’ll want to clean before you go. Additionally, you also want those items handy for cleaning when you arrive at your new house.

Here are some items to put on your packing list for the kitchen:

• Cooking tools, pots, and pans

• Appliances (blender, toaster, and microwave)

• Glassware and dishes

• Food items

Keep in mind that non-perishable items, such as spices and herbs, can be packed in the moving truck for transit.

Perishable items need to be thrown out or individually transported by you in a temperature-controlled thermal bag. Put a note next to these things, such as “move me” or “toss,” to avoid having to make abrupt choices on a moving day.

Bathroom

Establish subcategories for every bathroom in your house and begin cataloging each thing there.

Packing comparable goods from two or more bathrooms into boxes together seems appealing. Moreover, doing so will just make the unpacking process unbelievably laborious. Maintain simplicity and segregate the packing lists for the bathrooms.

Some items to put on your packing list for the bathroom are:

• Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, and shampoo)

• Hand towels and dishtowels
  
• First aid supplies and medication

• Cleaning supplies

Make a list of the essentials, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and daily medications, to pack individually before relocating. Carry these with you during the move to ensure you have immediate access to them. This approach will be very beneficial even if you are unable to locate your toiletries box straight away.

Home Office

Whether your office is a separate room or a designated space in your basement ensure it has its own section on your packing checklist.

Some items to put on your packing list for your home office are:

• Electronics (scanner, printer, and computer).

• Stationery (paper, pens, folders)

• Vital documents (certificates, contracts, and passports)

• Furnishings (file cabinet, chair, desk)

Ask the professional packers to provide wrapping devices for tablets, laptops, and computer monitors. These might benefit from anti-static protection. By now, you should be more than halfway through your packing process, depending on the number of rooms. Keep up the good work!

Nursery and Children’s Play Zone

If your children have their own playroom or nursery, make sure to include it in the room-by-room packing checklist.

One packing tip is to use existing trunks and toy bins to transport the toys instead of packing them separately. If the toys and games are too heavy to move then only pack them separately. Just make sure that costume trunks and toy boxes are sealed properly. This prevents them from popping open while being handled by your expert movers.

For art supplies, secure any liquids (like paint or glue) in containers that can contain potential leaks during the move.

Here are a few subsections to add to the packing list for the child’s play area and nursery:

• Kids’ clothing

• Games and toys

• Art supplies

• Desk, chair, and other furniture

Once you’ve finished packing the kids’ items, move on to the dining room if you have one.

Dining Room

Naturally, the dining room and all of its furniture must be packed with care. Dining room furniture is usually more expensive than the common kitchen items.

Make sure to include a statement about any packaging supplies you may need to safeguard your furniture. These items can be comprised of mirror corners, dining room chair legs, cupboards, cutlery, and dishes.

Here are some items to put on your packing list for your dining room:

• Dining set (chairs and table)
• Tableware: cutlery, glasses, and plates
• Centerpieces and tablecloths as decorations
• Barware (cocktail shaker, wine glasses)

This is the last stage of creating your room-by-room packing checklist unless you have a sprawling estate with multiple buildings on it. Consult with the team of professional packers and they will make this a lot easier.

Parking and Storage Space

The garage and storage area are two of the house’s more ancillary rooms that shouldn’t be overlooked. Sheds and attics are included in this. If you have more than one of these storage spaces, you should make subsections under the “Storage Spaces” title. You can also make separate sections for each.

Additionally, some items that are typically kept in sheds, garages, and other storage areas away from our living areas are not moved by professional movers. Make sure you record what will be moved separately and what will be packed for the truck.

Some items to put on your packing list for your garage and storage area are:

• Tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers)

• Outdoor machinery (gardening tools, lawnmower)

• Seasonal items (such as camping equipment and holiday décor)

• Bins and boxes for storage

• Sports equipment such as balls, ice skates, bikes, and others

Next, we’ll address any remaining “miscellaneous” areas.

Miscellaneous Area

Your home is as unique as you are, and there might be rooms we haven’t addressed yet.

There can be a wine cellar stocked with vintage, collectible wines! You can have a “man cave” adorned with memorabilia, a fully stocked bar, furniture, and electronics!

Perhaps your children have their own music room, or maybe your home boasts an enormous laundry room that merits its own checklist. Whatever it may be, ensure it has its designated space on the comprehensive packing checklist.

Among the various areas that need to be covered are:

• Pets (food, bedding, and toys)

• Wine cellar and bar area (bottles, racks, accessories)

• Laundry area (hangers, appliances, and soaps)

• Unique collections (memorabilia, artwork, and antiques)

• Shop for woodworking (wood, tools, shop vacuum)

• Musical instruments, books, music stands, and amplifiers in the music room

• Sunrooms (conservatories, solariums)

• Library (books, furnishings, and decoration)

• Outdoor areas (planters, patio chairs, and barbecues)

• Weights, yoga mats, and heavy equipment for a home gym

Get rid of stuff in the days before your move and update your room-by-room packing checklist.

Amplify Your Experience By Hiring Professional Packers In Vancouver

In the end, a room-by-room packing checklist is essential for a smooth move, but you can customize its format and level of detail. A simple, elegant checklist might be just as useful as one that is quite thorough. Don’t forget to carefully identify boxes with what’s inside and which room they belong in.

An additional step to simplifying the unpacking process is compiling an inventory sheet for every box. If you’re utilizing professional packers and movers in Vancouver, ensure they are aware of your specific needs and preferences. Make sure to tailor the checklist to your specific home and needs. Furthermore, don’t forget to account for any unique or specialty rooms or spaces you have. Lastly, have a fun-filled packing.

Moving house can be an exciting venture, but it also comes with a fair share of stress and chaos. Robots would undoubtedly make moving houses much simpler. Their positron brains were so brilliant at storing information that they would never forget to accomplish something crucial. In contrast, humans often forget important details, especially when rushing. Furthermore, it’s not the best feeling to realize you’ve overlooked something crucial on a moving day. To achieve everything seamlessly, it’s always advisable to hire a professional mover in Delta.

For your future relocation, these are the top 10 items we want you to consider.

Draft A Moving Checklist

The success of a relocation depends heavily on time management. Although, many people fail to set up a moving checklist to help them effectively manage their time. This oversight can lead to a significant waste of time before their moving day. They become disoriented by the myriad of duties involved in the relocation and forget what needs to be done next.

In the worst-case scenario, moving day arrives, and you are unprepared for the moving company that is about to come. It would probably be wise to stay away from such a terrifying situation.

Regardless of how long you have to prepare for your own household move—two months or more, or less than a week—make sure to compile a moving checklist that includes all the things you need to do.

Comparative Analysis of Different Moving Companies

When it comes to hiring professional movers, people might not be aware of their possibilities. There’s no need to accept the first quotation you receive from one moving business. Instead, explore all available options in terms of cost, features, and conditions. Then finalize your choice of professional commercial movers in Delta who can handle the trickiest parts of moving.

When you accept the initial offer, exercise caution. After carefully considering all of your options, you might decide to accept the first quote you are given.

Obtain estimates from multiple licensed and insured professional moving firms. After evaluating all the prices and additional services, make the best choice. You can also research internet reviews and ratings from previous customers. Finding, contrasting, and hiring the top movers in your area is best for you.

Schedule A Check-Up For The Pet(s)

Moving can be stressful and overwhelming. It often leads people to overlook crucial duties. People often become distracted, scared, and apprehensive before a move. Therefore, it makes sense that many times, people forget to take their pets to the vet for a thorough inspection before moving into a new home.

Before departing on a trip, a pet’s health should be assessed to make sure it can handle the new environment without any health issues. Pets are sensitive to major changes and may experience health issues during acclimatization.

Before you leave, make sure your pet gets checked out by a licensed veterinarian to meet their needs. Request the immunization records as well as any other documents for registration with a new veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you determine whether special anti-anxiety meds are a good option for you and your pet(s). They may also propose specific anti-anxiety medications.

Assemble Crucial Records & Documentation

Moving from one house to another involves juggling numerous tasks simultaneously. Forgetting to complete a task is a regular occurrence when individuals are preoccupied with multiple tasks.

Make sure to set up the transfer of your school-age child’s records to the school in the destination city, if applicable. Additionally, request all medical records from your family doctor, as you will need them when you register with a new healthcare provider.

Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready to move with you. Additionally, it’s crucial to compile and pack all of your essential records, including those related to work, legal matters, finances, cars, health, education, and relocating. No matter how reliable the company seems in Delta, never give your office movers any important documents.

Opt For Essential Items Only

When moving, it’s important to carefully assess every opportunity to cut costs. Relocation costs often escalate, even in cases where professional moving services are not utilized. Regretfully, it is up to each of us to experiment with various methods to lower moving expenses.

One of the easiest methods to save money while relocating is to take only the necessary items and discard the rest. Transporting fewer belongings translates to a lower final charge due to reduced shipments and shorter packing and transit durations. It’s also an ideal opportunity to organize your belongings. Why bother moving something if you have no intention of keeping it?

Make a detailed inventory of everything in your house and discard everything that has been obsolete for an extended period. To generate some cash, plan a moving sale. You can offer your still-usable but underused household items to friends, or donate them to a worthy cause.

Get Yourself Some Complimentary Packaging Boxes

People frequently overlook the fact that there are other methods to accomplish particular activities while they are getting ready to relocate. Moreover, several of these substitute techniques come at a surprisingly low cost.

Purchasing brand-new packing supplies will help you make sure your possessions are well-protected until they get to your new house. It might come at a higher price than anticipated. Remember that many of these packing supplies can be obtained for free or at a very low cost.

Seek out cardboard boxes that your friends, neighbors, and coworkers may have lying around, especially if they have relocated. You can find free, in good condition, durable cardboard boxes at supermarkets, bookstores, liquor stores, office supply stores, and other large-scale enterprises.

Additionally, often, you can find padding and wrapping materials at no cost simply by looking around your own home.

Put Together A Box Of Necessities

One common oversight during a move is forgetting to pack a box containing essential items needed until regular household belongings are accessible once more. Prior to everything being unpacked, it can be challenging to locate necessary items for the initial few days.

In your necessities box, make sure to include a torch, toiletries, kitchen utensils, hand tools, valuables, and any other stuff you might need. It’s crucial to mark the cartons with ‘DO NOT MOVE,’ just in case so that your movers don’t accidentally take these unique boxes.

Mark Every Packed Box

Be sure to mark every box, since, it is common for people to overlook it. Labeling cardboard boxes is an essential step in the packing process, and we can’t stress this enough.

Why is it considered such a huge problem if the contents of the package, the room of destination, and the handling instructions are not recorded? Ignoring labeling might cause confusion and inefficiencies when you move into a new place. You run the risk of not understanding what’s in each box and where it belongs if the contents, destination room, and handling instructions aren’t made plain. This may lead to needless box stacking in the incorrect rooms, which will aggravate the unpacking process.

You can save potential hassles later on by making the effort to identify your boxes. You and your movers may move more quickly and efficiently by labeling every box properly. This helps to ensure that things are brought to the right rooms and that unpacking is done in a more orderly manner. Don’t undervalue the significance of this straightforward but necessary task: identify your packing boxes to make your relocation easier and less stressful.

Our Professional Mover in Delta Follows The Major Safety Regulations

It is imperative to adhere to all safety precautions when relocating to ensure that no one sustains any form of bodily injury. Individuals often undervalue the significance of fundamental safety precautions because they assume that accidents won’t occur.

The most important thing to you is your safety; everything else is secondary. Make sure you have the right moving tools. These include a moving dolly, furniture sliders, and straps if you intend to move any larger things. It prevents accidents and property damage.

The biggest obstacles come with heavier furniture pieces and large household objects. Reputed furniture moving service providers in Delta employ safe lifting and carrying procedures while moving large furniture or appliances. To reduce hazards and guarantee a secure and effective move, it is best to leave the work to experienced movers.

Update Your Mailing Address

Moving out can cause you to forget a lot of things, even if you might not realize it at the moment. You will immediately notice malfunctioning items when you move into your new house. For instance, you might wonder why your new mailbox has been empty for almost a week.

It’s frequently necessary to update your mailing address when you move. Giving the task a low priority often turns out to be a regrettable error. It’s crucial that you update your address online or in person with each of your different service providers.

Concluding Note

Moving can be a difficult chore, but it can also be a pleasant and enjoyable experience with proper planning and attention to detail. You will feel confident and at ease when you embark on your journey by remembering these ten crucial points.