Maximizing the Medical Expenses Tax Credit

One commonly overlooked nonrefundable tax deduction is the medical expenses tax credit. While many Canadians are aware of its existence, a significant number fail to maintain proper records or stay updated on their medical expenditures.

It’s important to note that, in addition to yourself, you can claim this tax credit for your dependent children under the age of 18. Moreover, if you have a spouse or common-law partner, they too can claim eligible medical expenses. The scope of potential beneficiaries extends beyond immediate family members and includes parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

The medical expense tax credit consists of two components: a portion provided by the federal government and another portion offered by the provincial or territorial government. To claim the nonrefundable tax credit specific to your home province or territory, you need to record the amount on line 58689 of Form 428.

To make the most of the medical expense tax credit, ensure that you maintain proper documentation of your medical expenses and consult with a tax professional to ensure you are claiming all eligible expenses and maximizing your tax benefits.

Medical Expenses

Allowable Deductions for Medical Expense

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has compiled a list of allowable deductible expenses for medical purposes. It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and may include the following:

  1. Prescribed medicines
  2. Health insurance premiums
  3. Prosthetic limbs
  4. Air conditioning systems for medical purposes
  5. Bathroom accessories for medical needs
  6. Baby breathing monitors
  7. Assistive devices
  8. Environmental control systems
  9. Medical use of cannabis
  10. Service animals
  11. Oxygen supplies
  12. Reconstructive or medical cosmetic surgery (e.g., artificial teeth, reconstructive surgery on the nose)
  13. Out-of-country cancer treatment facilitated by a licensed physician
  14. Communication aids such as speech synthesizers and bliss boards
  15. Gluten-free food costs for individuals with celiac disease
  16. Acoustic coupler
  17. Doctor-prescribed birth control pills
  18. Treatment for drug addiction, including boarding and meals at a drug rehab facility
  19. Specialized computer peripherals for the visually impaired
  20. Elastic hosiery for blood circulation problems
  21. Non-cosmetic eye surgeries like Lasik when performed for medical reasons
  22. Fees for mental illness treatment authorization
  23. Prepaid payments for lifelong care
  24. Travel expenses for medical care received away from home
  25. Long-term care insurance premiums and associated costs (subject to limitations)
  26. Moving cost reimbursements for individuals with severe and long-term mobility issues relocating to more accessible housing (up to $2,000 per person)
  27. Nursing care services
  28. Total medical care costs, including meals and lodging, in a nursing home where medical care is the primary reason for residency
  29. Orthopedic footwear, boots, and inserts

To claim these deductions, you’ll need to provide supporting documentation such as receipts, prescriptions, mileage records, and proof of disability when applicable. Keep in mind that it’s always advisable to consult with a tax professional to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and claim the deductions correctly.

Claiming Medical Expenses on Your Tax Return

When claiming medical expenses on your tax return, you can do so on specific lines based on who the expenses are incurred for:

  1. Line 33099: This line is used to claim medical expenses for yourself, your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child under the age of 18.
  2. Line 33199: If the medical expenses pertain to another dependent, such as a child or stepchild who is 19 years of age or older, grandchildren, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, or nephews, they can be claimed on this line.

It’s important to note that the tax year for claiming medical expenses can be any 12-month period ending in the tax year. If you have previously claimed a specific medical expense, you cannot claim it again in the current year. Additionally, all family members must share the same start and end date for their tax year. However, if the last date of your tax year falls within the tax year, you can claim medical expenses that were previously unclaimed.

It’s recommended to keep proper records and documentation of your medical expenses to support your claim. If you have any questions or uncertainties, consulting with a tax professional is advisable to ensure you accurately claim your eligible medical expenses.

Ineligible Deductions for the Medical Expense Tax Credit

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides a list of deductions that are not eligible for the medical expense tax credit. Some of these deductions include:

  1. Medications available without a prescription, including over-the-counter drugs.
  2. Membership fees for fitness clubs or gyms.
  3. Cosmetic surgeries performed solely for aesthetic purposes.
  4. Premiums paid for health plans.
  5. Diaper service providers.
  6. Personalized response systems (such as medical alert devices).

Including these deductions in your claim is not permitted, as the cost of these items is not deductible. The CRA will reject such claims. However, there are exceptions to this list. For instance, reconstructive surgery may be eligible if it is necessary to address a specific deformity, injury, or disease.

Also read: The Role of Professional Accountants in Cloud Accounting for Canadian Businesses

It’s important to review the CRA’s guidelines and consult with a tax professional if you have any uncertainties or specific questions regarding eligible deductions for the medical expense tax credit.

Completing the Form for Medical Expenses

When filing your tax return, you can enter the amount you or your spouse paid for eligible medical expenses. The tax credit is calculated based on the lesser of the percentage or the amount of the credit, divided by the lesser of the two. It’s worth considering comparing your returns with those of your spouse or common-law partner. In certain situations, it may be more advantageous for the person with the higher income to claim the credit.

If you claim medical expenses on line 33099, the deduction will be reduced by the lesser of 3% of your taxable income or the threshold for the tax year (which varies annually). For medical expenses claimed for other dependents on line 33199, you should apply 3% of their net income or the year’s threshold.

Make sure to also claim the amount on the provincial or territorial form. Similar methods are used to calculate and apply the credit.

Filing Electronically or by Mail

If you file electronically, keep all the supporting documents together so that you can provide them to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if requested.

If you choose to file by mail, include all the necessary supporting documents, such as social security numbers, along with your return.

It’s important to keep accurate records and retain all supporting documentation related to your medical expenses in case the CRA requires verification.

Medical Expenses

Claiming Medical Expenses for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities can claim the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) by obtaining an approved T2201 form from the Canada Revenue Agency. In addition to the DTC, eligible individuals can also seek reimbursement for various medical expenses incurred due to chronic medical conditions. The following medical expenses are eligible for reimbursement under this credit:

  1. Attendance care expenses exceeding $10,000.
  2. Expenses related to residing in a nursing home.

To maximize your tax savings, it is advisable to calculate the potential refund on your medical expenses both with and without claiming the DTC. This comparison will help you determine the most beneficial approach for your situation.

Information and Laws on Canadian Inheritance Taxes

In Canada, there is no inheritance tax or death tax, eliminating the need for beneficiaries to pay such taxes. Instead, the estate itself is subject to taxes before any distributions are made to beneficiaries. The responsibility of handling this process lies with the executor of the estate.

Upon a person’s death in Canada, taxes are imposed on the income generated by the estate, rather than the assets held by the estate. If there are assets within the estate, a “deemed disposition” occurs, assuming that all estate assets have been sold, resulting in potential capital gains that may be subject to taxable income. Individuals who receive proceeds from the sale of assets are then liable for taxes on capital gains, or they can offset them with capital losses if applicable.

This approach considers the notion that individuals should divest themselves of money and property just before their passing, thereby influencing the tax assessment. Even if no assets were sold, the deceased is deemed to have “received” the proceeds from the sale of all assets, which are then subjected to taxation if there are capital gains or deducted if there are capital losses.

Inheritance Taxes

Understanding Inheritance Taxes in Canada

In Canada, there are no inheritance taxes. Instead, the income generated by the deceased individual is subject to taxation, as if they were still alive. This implies that personal income, such as earnings from work, is taxed at the same rate as their income tax.

Understanding Capital Assets and Capital Gains in Estate Taxation

When it comes to capital assets and capital gains in estate taxation, several key considerations come into play. Firstly, it is assumed that all of the deceased’s capital property has been sold just before their passing. The value of non-registered capital assets is taken into account, and 50 percent of the capital gains resulting from this deemed disposition are added to the deceased’s income, which is then subject to taxation at their applicable income tax rate.

For instance, let’s consider a scenario where the deceased individual held publicly traded stocks in a non-registered account. If the person passes away on a Saturday, the calculation of their capital gains would be based on the value of the stocks at the end of Friday.

Capital property encompasses various assets, including stocks, bonds, and units in mutual funds. When an individual dies, their spouse or common-law partner can acquire their share of the capital property at its adjusted cost base. This means that the deceased’s final tax return will not incur gains or losses. Instead, the recipient of the capital property will only be liable for capital gains taxes when they eventually sell the assets on their own.

To illustrate further, let’s say a person purchased Amazon stock with an adjusted cost basis of $2,000. The current market value of the stock is $3,000. By transferring the Amazon stock to their spouse at an adjusted cost basis of $2,000, they receive $2,000 in cash without incurring capital gains tax on the $1,000 difference.

It’s important to note that capital assets are deemed to have been sold at their value upon the deceased’s death, regardless of whether an actual sale took place. In cases where a home is sold within the estate, any resulting capital gains would be the responsibility of the estate to pay.

Treatment of TFSA and RRSP Accounts in Estate Taxation

In the realm of estate taxation, specific accounts approved by the government, such as Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), undergo unique evaluation. The fair market value of these accounts is calculated as if they were transferred to the deceased individual just before their passing. Consequently, when a person dies, their contributions to their TFSA are regarded as sold, resulting in no income being reported from the TFSA on their final tax return.

If the deceased held an annuity contract within their TFSA or RRSP, this contract no longer remains within the TFSA or RRSP upon death. Earnings from the annuity contract are immediately subject to taxation after the individual’s passing, and the beneficiaries become responsible for the associated taxes.

Understanding Probate Fees in Canada

In Canada, estate taxes do not exist, relieving individuals from the obligation to pay any taxes upon death. However, certain provinces may impose fees for probate, either in the form of a flat fee or as a percentage based on the estate’s value. To minimize the fees payable to the provincial government upon death, individuals have the option to designate beneficiaries for their investments or co-own properties instead of being sole owners. By employing these strategies, it is possible to reduce the fees associated with the probate process.

Tax Implications of Inheriting Retirement Accounts in Canada

When it comes to inheriting tax-free accounts in Canada, there are specific considerations to keep in mind. Let’s explore two types of accounts: RRSPs and TFSAs.

Inheriting RRSPs in Canada: Tax-Free Transfer Options

Transferring RRSPs from one person to another is a tax-free process, provided the transfer is made to a spouse or a child under the age of 18. If the beneficiary does not fall within these categories, the funds in the RRSP will be transferred to the deceased person’s estate.

Transferring TFSAs in Canada: Spousal and Common-Law Partner Transfers

TFSAs can be smoothly transferred to the TFSA of a spouse or common-law partner without incurring any tax implications.

Understanding Survivorship and Common-Law Estate Inheritance Tax Legislation in Canada

In Canada, when a person passes away, all their assets become part of their estate, and taxes are levied on the estate to fulfill obligations to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you inherit a portion of a loved one’s estate, you are not required to pay additional taxes since the estate has already been subjected to taxation.

Considerations for Real Estate and Investment Inheritance in Canada

In cases of real estate and investment inheritance, such assets are transferred to the surviving spouse or common-law partner. This transfer typically avoids immediate payment of most estate taxes, as the majority of the property is passed on to the surviving spouse. Additionally, non-registered capital property owned by the deceased taxpayer can be assigned to their spouse or common-law partner.

Tax-Deferred Income for Eligible RRSP or RRIF Beneficiaries

If an eligible beneficiary, such as a spouse or common-law partner, has been named for an RRSP or RRIF, income tax on the funds can be deferred. Eligible beneficiaries also include financially dependent children under the age of 18 or those who are mentally or physically incapacitated, regardless of their age.

Inheritance Taxes

Understanding Inheritance Taxes Exemptions in Canada

When it comes to inheritance tax exemptions in Canada, specific tax breaks come into play. Let’s explore two essential exemptions: the Principal Residence Exemption and the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption.

Principal Residence Exemption: Exempting Capital Gains on your Home

Under the Principal Residence Exemption, capital gains arising from the sale or disposal of your principal residence are exempt from taxation. To qualify for this exemption, the property must be your main home in each year.

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption for Specific Assets

Certain assets enjoy exclusions from capital gains under the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption. These include small-company stock, agricultural property, and fishing property.

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption for Small-Company Stock

For small company corporation shares, the lifetime maximum exemption amount was $883,384 in 2020, or $441,692 per individual.

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption for Agricultural or Fishing Property

In 2024, the lifetime maximum exemption amount for agriculture or fishing property was $1,000,000, or $500,000 per individual.

By understanding and utilizing these exemptions, individuals can potentially reduce or eliminate the tax liability on their inherited assets.

Understanding Inheritance Taxes and Tax Breaks in Canada

In Canada, the absence of inheritance tax or death tax alleviates the need for individuals to make such payments. However, taxes still come into play when a person passes away. The concept of the deceased “receiving” the proceeds from the sale of all their assets, even if no sales took place, serves as the basis for taxing any capital gains or losses.

When it comes to filing the final tax return for the deceased, there will be no income from their assets. The calculation of the deceased person’s accounts, such as TFSAs and RRSPs, is treated as if they were transferred before their death. As a beneficiary, you are not required to pay additional taxes on your inheritance since the taxes have already been settled.

Furthermore, Canada provides various inheritance tax breaks that can offer significant savings. Two notable examples are the Principal Residence Exemption and the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption. These exemptions enable individuals to potentially reduce or eliminate tax liabilities associated with inherited assets.

By understanding the Canadian tax system and leveraging available tax breaks, individuals can navigate the inheritance process more effectively while optimizing their financial outcomes.