As a Canadian citizen, you’re probably aware of some of the common tax deductions available to you: charitable donations, medical expenses, moving costs etc. However, there are also a number of smaller-known claims and incentives—some provincial in nature but many federal—that can help make your return more manageable during these difficult economic times. In this post, we’ll cover a few examples that could help you save some money next time April 15th rolls around!
Table of Contents
Medical Expenses
The medical expenses that you can deduct are the ones related to your health care, cosmetic treatments and services.
Pension Income Splitting
The BC government provides an income-splitting tax credit to pensioners who are eligible.
Medical Expense Tax Credit
This is a non-refundable tax credit that you can claim for eligible medical expenses you paid for yourself, your partner, and your dependent children.
Childcare Expenses
Childcare expenses can be claimed for children under the age of 16. Or over 16 for those who are eligible for the disability tax credit.
Adoption Expenses
Adoption expenses are those related to the adoption of a child. These include legal fees, home study fees, travel expenses, and other costs associated with adopting a child.
Charitable Donations Credit
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows you to claim credit for donations made to registered charities, whether they are donations of money or goods. In BC, there is also a separate charitable tax credit that can be claimed by individuals who donate eligible securities.
Immigrant or Emigrant Tax Credit
The immigrant or emigrant tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can be claimed on your T1 General income tax return. It is meant to help you with the cost of moving to Canada.
You must be:
- An immigrant or emigrant
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident returning to live in Canada after living outside of Canada for at least 1 year
Conclusion
It’s helpful to be knowledgeable about which tax credits are available. This reduces the burden on your wallet and gives you more options when it comes time to file your taxes. If you ever have any questions, our team of accountants at Genesa CPA are always happy to schedule a chat.