Did you know you may be eligible to claim medical expenses?

You can reduce the amount of federal tax you pay by claiming a non-refundable tax credit on a wide variety of medical expenses.

You may be able to claim medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children (under 18 years of age), and certain other dependants.  

Conditions for claiming medical expenses

To claim medical expenses, the expenses must:

• be eligible – the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has a list of common medical expenses that may qualify 
• have been paid by you or your spouse or common-law partner
• have been paid within a 12-month period ending in 2017 and not claimed for 2016

Before doing your taxes, make sure you are claiming eligible medical expenses. If you claim expenses that are not eligible (for example, athletic or fitness club fees or over-the-counter medications), the CRA may change your return accordingly.

Claiming travel expenses

Did you travel at least 40 kilometres (one way) from your home to get medical services that were not available in your area? If so, you may be able to claim the public transportation (for example, taxi, bus, or train) expenses you paid. Where public transportation is not readily available, you may be able to claim vehicle expenses instead.

Did you travel at least 80 kilometres (one way) from your home to get medical services not available in your area? If so, you may be able to claim accommodation, meal, and parking expenses in addition to your transportation expenses.

Did someone travel with you? You may be able to claim that person’s transportation and travel expenses. To make that claim, a medical practitioner must certify in writing that you were not capable of travelling alone to get medical services.

Additional assistance

If you have low employment or self-employment income and high medical expenses, you may be able to claim the refundable medical expense supplement, a refundable tax credit of up to $1,203.