I apologize for the length of this post, but as tax season is approaching CRA has done up a great 'tips' sheet that I wanted to pass along, and can not seem to do it a any better of a fashion that this. Be sure to check it out, may have some information you may want to look into when filing. I also have the same in French, if anyone needs it.
Making tax time accessible to all Canadians!
Canadians with disabilities and those who live with them know that, over a
lifetime, the costs of overcoming barriers can really add up. That’s why the
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers credits and benefits for Canadians with
disabilities and their caregivers to help offset these costs—from childhood
through the school years to the workforce to retirement.
If you have a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental
functions and you are eligible for the
disability tax credit (DTC), you
may be able to reduce the amount of income tax you pay in a year. You
can apply for the DTC by filling out the application, having your disability
tax credit form certified by a qualified practitioner, and submitting it to
the CRA for approval. You may also be able to transfer any unused parts of this
disability amount to another supporting person to reduce his or her federal tax
owing.
Making your home accessible is a very important part of living comfortably
with a disability. Most individuals can claim the
home buyers’ amount
for first-time owners, which allows them to claim an amount of $5,000 for the
purchase of a qualifying home. However, if you are eligible for the disability
amount and you purchased a home to better meet your needs or those of a related
eligible individual, you can claim the home buyers’ amount without the home
being your first-time at ownership. For more information, visit
www.cra.gc.ca/hbtc.
Do you care for a child with a disability? If your child is under 18 years
old and eligible for the DTC, you may be able to reduce the amount of income
tax you pay in a year by claiming the disability amount for a dependant. In
addition, if you receive the Canada child tax benefit, you can also
receive the
child disability benefit, which is a tax-free, monthly
benefit for families who care for children under 18 who are eligible for
the DTC.
Applying for your Canada child and family benefits is easy using the
Apply for child benefits
online service through
My Account. You may also be eligible for the
family
caregiver amount of up to $2,058 in 2014, in calculating certain
non-refundable tax credits. If your child is registered in a physical
activity or artistic program, you may be able to claim an additional $500 on
top of the regular amount under the
children’s fitness tax credit and
the
children’s arts tax credit. In addition, under proposed
changes, the maximum amount of eligible expenses for the fitness tax credit has
been increased to $1,000 for each child.
For long-term financial planning, the
registered disability savings plan
(RDSP) helps reduce financial worries for those who are eligible for the DTC and their loved ones.
In particular, the RDSP helps parents and others contribute up to $200,000 for
the long-term financial security of a person who is eligible for the DTC. To
find out more, go to
www.cra.gc.ca/rdsp.
The purchase and use of supports and support services like talking
textbooks, job coaching services, and braille note‑taker devices are eligible
expenses that you may be able to claim as part of the
disability supports
deduction. These expenses must have been incurred as a result of your being
employed or carrying on a business, conducting research based on a grant, or
attending an educational institution.
New for 2014—if you are eligible for the DTC you may be able to claim the
salary amount associated with the design of a personalized therapy plan, as a
medical
expense. Also new this year, you can claim the costs for service animals
used to manage severe diabetes. To get more information, including a list of
other medical expenses that are eligible, go to
www.cra.gc.ca/medical.
The CRA website has a dedicated section to persons with disabilities and the
specific tax scenarios that may affect them. Go to
www.cra.gc.ca/disability, where you
will find information on how to determine if you may be eligible for the DTC.
The CRA prides itself on making its services accessible to all Canadians. If
you are blind or partially sighted, the CRA offers publications and forms in
alternative formats—such as braille, large print, etext, and MP3 audio. If you
have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use teletypewriter services by
calling 1-800-665-0354. Or, with your written permission, the CRA will speak to
an operator-assisted relay service for you or arrange to have a sign language interpreter
available at a meeting. Call 1-800-959-8281 for more information.
If you need help filing your income tax and
benefit return, have a modest income, and a simple tax situation,
contact the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, which runs volunteer tax
clinics across the country. To find a volunteer tax preparation clinic, go to
www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer.
Remember, the deadline to file your individual income tax and benefit return
and pay any amount owing is April 30, 2015—don't wait!
Don’t miss the latest CRA news or tax tips—follow the CRA on Twitter:
@CanRevAgency
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Inclusive education is about how we develop and design our schools, classrooms, programs and activities so that all students learn and participate together.
