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Topics and Resources for Persons With Disabilities

The Tax Return

Deductions From Income

Non-Refundable Tax Credits

Medical Expenses

Refundable Tax Credits

Disability Benefits / Savings Plans for Canadians

Government Disability Benefits - Federal and Provincial

TaxTips.ca Resources

Other Resources for Disabilities

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Resources for Disabilities

Disabilities - The Tax Return

Why should I file a tax return if I don't have to pay tax? - this is very important for low-income people especially!

Free service for those unable to complete their tax return and unable to pay for assistance.

How are the funds paid out of an RESP when the beneficiary has disabilities?

Canadian Tax Calculator includes calculation of the disability tax credit.

Disabilities - Deductions From Income

Attendant care expenses - includes information on when Ontario limit for attendant care does not apply

Child care expenses

Disability supports deduction

Disabilities - Non-Refundable Tax Credits

A non-refundable tax credit can only be used to reduce federal or provincial/territorial taxes payable to zero. See also our tables listing most non-refundable tax credits.

Amount for an eligible dependant - A single person can claim a tax credit for a dependent child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent.

Canada Caregiver Credit - replaced 3 existing Federal/Yukon/Ontario caregiver tax credits, beginning in 2017

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) - Disability Supplement

Caregiver amount tax credit may be available if (dependent or non-dependent) parent or grandparent (over 65) lives with you, or if a dependent relative lives with you - available for all provinces and territories (except Ontario and Yukon for 2017 and later years). Federal credit (Line 315) replaced by Canada Caregiver Credit for 2017 and later years. Ontario and Yukon credits mirror the new federal credit.

Child fitness tax credit, and additional credit for child with disability - new for 2007, eliminated for 2017 federally

Children's arts tax credit (CATC) - eliminated for 2017 federally

Disability amount tax credit - which can be transferred to another supporting taxpayer

Family caregiver amount - Federal/Yukon for infirm minor children, added to other credits re infirm dependants - replaced by Canada Caregiver Credit for 2017 and later years

First-time homebuyer's tax credit

Infirm dependant amount tax credit for dependant age 18 or older - Federal credit replaced by Canada Caregiver Credit for 2017 and later years, and some provinces/territories mirror the federal changes.

Students - scholarships and bursaries, deductible and tax-creditable expenses

Tax credits that can be transferred to/from a spouse

Disabilities - Medical Expenses

Medical expense tax credit

Claim your medical expenses on the return of the spouse with lower net income (usually).

Non-prescription medications

Eligible medical expenses

Attendant care expenses

Attendant care expenses paid to a retirement home

Disabilities - Refundable Tax Credits

A refundable tax credit can generate a payment to taxpayers, even when no income tax has been paid. This is a good reason to file a tax return even if you do not owe any tax.

Home Renovation and Home Accessibility Tax Credits

Refundable medical expense supplement

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) and disability supplement - formerly Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB)

Some provinces also have refundable tax credits - go to the page for your province, and follow the link to personal tax credits.

Disability Benefits / Savings Plans for Canadians

Canada Disability Benefit - Bill C-22 Canada Disability Benefit Act, Royal Assent June 23, 2023

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit

Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs)

Government Disability Benefits - Federal and Provincial

Newfoundland & Labrador

Northwest Territories

TaxTips.ca Resources

Unlocking your locked-in pension accounts

Old Age Security

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Disabilities - Other Resources

Government of Canada - Disability Benefits

The Canada Student Financial Assistance Act provides for some student loans to be repaid by the federal government in the event of the student's death or permanent disability.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Resources

Guide RC4064 - Disability-Related Information

Form T2201 Disability tax credit certificate

Tax credits and deductions for persons with disabilities

Revised: September 19, 2023