Question: As parent of a child with a brain tumour, does my family qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

 
A special thank you to Ken Fischer who is parent of a brain tumour survivor and an accountant. We appreciate Ken’s generously in offering his time and expertise to provide this important financial information.

This Disability Tax Credit on your Personal Income Tax may be available to parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 18 as a non-refundable tax credit, if the child has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. The definition of an impairment is if it has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. The disability tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit used to reduce income tax payable on your tax return. This amount also includes a supplement for persons under 18 years of age as of the end of the year. All or part of this amount may be transferred to your spouse or common-in law partner, or another supporting person.

In order to qualify for this tax credit, you need to have a certified Form "T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate" completed by a qualified practitioner. I usually suggest you have this filled out by your medical specialist as opposed to your family doctor as this usually speeds up the process or prevents you from having to have it filled out later by a specialist. (Note, most doctors charge an administrative fee to fill this form out.) As well, a specialist should be able tell you if they think you will qualify for this credit.

For parents with disabled children under the age of 18, you may also be eligible for an additional child tax credit benefit (Child Disability Benefit). This is assessed when you complete your income tax return for the prior year and if approved would appear on your entitlement schedule starting in July of the current year.

If unsure how this will affect your situation, contact a tax professional or I would be happy to try to answer any questions you have. Please contact Mike Fluit, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Support Services Manager at 1-800-265-5106, ext. 34 or by e-mail at mfluit@braintumour.ca and they will pass on you questions to me.