Comments on: Medical Expense Tax Credit

By: Tax Guy

Tax Guy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:09:31 +0000

I am not certain whether these expenses qualify or not, but based on my understanding, the products must be dispensed by a pharmacy or be listed in 118.2(2)(k) of which these items appear not to be listed.

See paragraphs 61, 62 and 66 of the following CRA document: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it519r2-consolid/it519r2-consolid-e.html

By: dryeyes

dryeyes — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:21:19 +0000

I was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome by my optometrist and in the past have even had to go to an ophthalmologist when the condition became quite severe. the optometrist recommended taking 2000 units of salmon oil to help as the condition can be quite painful and debilitating. The health food store said I could deduct the cost of the oil as a medical expense credit (using the 3% method etc) especially if I got a letter from the optometrist but the optometrist said to just go ahead and include these costs in the medical expenses and I didn’t need a letter. Can I deduct the costs? Thanks

By: HandyTax

HandyTax — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:50:06 +0000

There is also the Refundable Medical Expense Supplement, which helps those with lower incomes.

By: Tax Guy

Tax Guy — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:17:41 +0000

Ha. I’m game for an outbound link! At the federal level the credit is the same. Each province has their own version of the credit: the thresholds may be different.

By: Tax Advice

Tax Advice — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:11:29 +0000

Does the medical expense tax credit vary from province to province?

By: Tax Guy

Tax Guy — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:51:14 +0000

Hi Nykki:
The medical expense tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. This means that the credit can only be used to reduce taxes payable to zero. If there was no tax paid, the credit is worthless.

If either is expecting higher income in the future, they can claim the credit for any 12 months period ending in the tax year.

By: Nykki

Nykki — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:12:55 +0000

Hi there – I complete my Grand-Parents tax return every year. Unfortunately my Grandmother had to stay in a Long Term Care Facility for the better part of 2009 due to a broken leg. The total medical expense for 2009 were $6,119.00. The software I’m using automatically put the medical expenses to my Grandfather’s return. His income was $19K and my Grandmother was $8K – no income tax was deducted on either of their Federal Slips and the medical expenses didn’t even make a difference in their refunds. Does that seem right to you? Everything I have read says if it’s more than 3% of your total income you should get around 15% back Federally and 6% back Provincially. Does it sound like I’ve done something wrong?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By: Tax Guy

Tax Guy — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:52:46 +0000

Jonothan:
I’ve not heard of these types of companies. If your disability is real, your doctor will complete the certificate. The CRA may challenge it! But the process “should” not be onerous. Any accountant can help.

By: JonothanBriar

JonothanBriar — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:19:13 +0000

In regards to the disability tax credit, isn’t it true that the process of becoming eligible a tedious process? According to the CRA, the disability tax credit does seem like the Canadian government’s way of acknowledging the extra expenses that individuals with disabilities must endure.. but at the same time, the government does not make it easy to become approved for a disability tax credit according to a number of sources including a publication by the MS society. I’ve stumbled upon a few companies such as Canadian Disability Corporation, being the first at the top of my head, that helps ease the process. Their website is http://www.canadadisability.ca do companies such as this make a difference?