Claiming Medical Expenses: Free Healthcare?

Free Health Care? Did you know that Canadians spend on average more than $1,000 on medical expenses each year? It’s estimated that government programs, via our taxes, cover about 72% of medical expenses, which means that we pay for the rest. Your clients may be over-paying on their taxes because they don’t know about medical expense deductions. 

The next three months of 2021 are chocked full of important tax filing milestones.  Be sure you help your clients mark their tax calendars and schedule a virtual or phone meeting with you.  Here’s a handy tax milestones calendar from Knowledge Bureau.

Given the financial stress people are under during the second wave, should governments suspend audit activities and waive penalties and interest in 2021”? That was last month’s poll question and an overwhelming 75% said yes. However, of those who said no, there were some strong words of disapproval:

In our 18th year, we are excited to officially welcome you to pre-registration opportunities to Knowledge Bureau’s annual strategic educational conference for professionals in the tax, accounting, bookkeeping, and financial services.   

Canadian groundhogs may have mixed opinions on whether or not it’s going to be a long winter. But on a year that has often felt like we’re experience the Groundhog Day phenomenon, we decided to bring you our best sale of the year so far to ensure there’s something to celebrate – and you can still take advantage of this today! Take any two certificate courses for only $595 each (save 34%) – but act fast, as this promotion ends today! Use this proficiency guide for individuals and business training needs to select your next courses!

There is exciting news for parents who have been prohibited from claiming child care expenses due to the existing definition of “earned income”.  A new Form T778 issued on January 20, 2021 clarifies that CERB and EI recipients can indeed claim child care expenses.  There is more good news for disabled employees, too. Here are the details:

The Canada Emergency Benefit Account (CEBA) provided two loans to businesses that suffered revenue declines due to the pandemic.  They amounted to a total of $60,000, with $20,000 forgivable,   if the loan is repaid  December 31, 2022.  However, very few expected a 2020 income inclusion. Here are the rules: