Can I claim my daughter's medical expenses?

catsoncoffee wrote: ↑ Yes, but they are claimed on a separate line from your own medical expenses and the threshold is based on her income instead of yours

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency ... eturn.html

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ Let me direct you to this article. There is a good chance yes...you could.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency ... enses.html

The definition of a dependent is not exhaustively defined. I myself have claimed my parents are dependents some years past. It was allowed with no questions asked. But I can't say that you won't be audited. Medical expenses, if irregular, could trigger an audit. Since you are asking I'm guessing this is the first time you considered claiming medical expenses. Also note that the dependent's income is required. You will find the calculation works such that if the dependent has high enough income, it would not generate any benefit for you to claim.

A key word for CRA is reasonability. If audited, you are also responsible to show that the medical expense is at least sensible. But this is usually not that difficult.

On the tax form there isn't space to elaborate on what the medical condition or type of expense is. If it's your first time, and/or if the amount is large, you may be audited. Or you may simply be selected for audit at random. Who knows....At that point CRA will request you to submit information to support your claim. They will document your information and use that for basis for future year's test of reasonability. For example...if you did Lasik, that's a one time event. If you hired a caregiver for a medical condition that will persist, then they would probably find it reasonable if your claim amounts rise by the rate of inflation each year. If you have sharp spikes, that will greatly up your chances of an audit.

Dealmaker1945 wrote: ↑ I have been audited twice on my medical expenses and had to send them all my receipts, and expect to be audited again for 2021. In those years I had expenses of some $15,000 and $7,000 if I recall correctly.

To make this easier, I organize my expenses from the getgo and keep all my receipts and insurance claims together. They have never denied any item but they wanted me to correct a $34 discrepancy between a dentist form and the insurance claim form.

The CRA publishes a comprehensive list of eligible expenses that I have found to be very helpful. You can also play with the timing and use any 12 month period ending in the taxation year if that helps you.

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ Let me direct you to this article. There is a good chance yes...you could.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency ... enses.html

The definition of a dependent is not exhaustively defined. I myself have claimed my parents are dependents some years past. It was allowed with no questions asked. But I can't say that you won't be audited. Medical expenses, if irregular, could trigger an audit. Since you are asking I'm guessing this is the first time you considered claiming medical expenses. Also note that the dependent's income is required. You will find the calculation works such that if the dependent has high enough income, it would not generate any benefit for you to claim.

A key word for CRA is reasonability. If audited, you are also responsible to show that the medical expense is at least sensible. But this is usually not that difficult.

On the tax form there isn't space to elaborate on what the medical condition or type of expense is. If it's your first time, and/or if the amount is large, you may be audited. Or you may simply be selected for audit at random. Who knows....At that point CRA will request you to submit information to support your claim. They will document your information and use that for basis for future year's test of reasonability. For example...if you did Lasik, that's a one time event. If you hired a caregiver for a medical condition that will persist, then they would probably find it reasonable if your claim amounts rise by the rate of inflation each year. If you have sharp spikes, that will greatly up your chances of an audit.

catsoncoffee wrote: ↑ There is no universal definition of "dependant" - it is defined differently for purposes of different tax credits. For the medical expense credit, it is available for a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew of the taxpayer or of the taxpayer’s spouse or common-law partner if they are dependent on the individual for support at some time in the year. Whether a person is dependent upon the individual for support is a question of fact. In general terms, support involves the provision of the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing, on a regular and consistent basis. This support may be given voluntarily or pursuant to a legal commitment. Where the person has income during the year, it would have to be shown that this income was insufficient to meet their basic needs and that they had to rely on the support provided by the person claiming the credit. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency ... .html#toc3