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How Senior Tax Credits in Canada Can Save Up to $3,700 in Taxes: A Complete Guide

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Key Takeaway Box

  • Seniors in Canada can claim various senior tax credits and deductions to reduce their taxable income and save money on their taxes.
  • Some of the most common tax benefits for seniors are the age amount, the pension income amount, the pension income splitting, the home accessibility tax credit, and the medical expense tax credit.
  • To claim these tax benefits, seniors need to file their income tax and benefit return by the deadline and include the relevant forms and receipts.
  • Seniors can also use online tools and services to help them prepare and file their taxes, such as the Auto-fill my return service, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, and the File my Return service.
Senior Tax Credits and savings in Canada

Introduction

If you are a senior in Canada, you may be eligible for various tax credits and deductions that can help you lower your taxable income and save money on your taxes. These tax benefits are designed to recognize the specific needs and circumstances of seniors, such as their health, income, and living expenses. In this article, we will explain what tax credits and deductions are, who is eligible for them, how to claim them, and where to find more information and assistance. By the end of this article, you will learn how seniors in Canada can save up to $3,700 in taxes.

What are senior tax credits and deductions?

Tax credits and deductions are two ways to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay. Tax credits are amounts that you can subtract from your tax payable, while tax deductions are amounts that you can subtract from your income before calculating your tax. For example, if you have a tax credit of $100 and a tax payable of $500, you can reduce your tax payable to $400 by applying the tax credit. If you have a tax deduction of $100 and an income of $1,000, you can reduce your income to $900 by applying the tax deduction, and then calculate your tax based on the lower income.

There are two types of tax credits: non-refundable and refundable. Non-refundable tax credits can only reduce your tax payable to zero, but not below. If you have more non-refundable tax credits than your tax payable, you will not get a refund for the excess amount. Refundable tax credits, on the other hand, can reduce your tax payable below zero, and you will get a refund for the excess amount. For example, if you have a refundable tax credit of $200 and a tax payable of $100, you can reduce your tax payable to zero and get a refund of $100.

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What are the tax benefits for seniors in Canada?

Seniors in Canada can claim various tax credits and deductions to reduce their taxable income and save money on their taxes. Some of the most common tax benefits for seniors are:

  • Age amount: This is a non-refundable tax credit for individuals who are 65 years of age or older at the end of the year. The maximum amount for the 2022 tax year is $7,898. However, this amount is reduced by 15% of your net income above $39,826. This means that if your net income is more than $91,131, you cannot claim this credit. The age amount can save you up to $1,185 in federal taxes.
  • Pension income amount: This is a non-refundable tax credit for individuals who receive eligible pension income. The maximum amount for the 2022 tax year is $2,000. Eligible pension income includes payments from a registered pension plan, a registered retirement income fund, a pooled registered pension plan, a specified pension plan, or an annuity. However, it does not include payments from the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). The pension income amount can save you up to $300 in federal taxes.
  • Pension income splitting: This is a tax-saving strategy that allows you to split up to 50% of your eligible pension income with your spouse or common-law partner. This can reduce your combined tax payable by lowering your income and increasing your spouse’s income, especially if you are in a higher tax bracket than your spouse. For example, if you receive $40,000 in eligible pension income and your spouse receives $10,000, you can split $20,000 with your spouse, so that each of you reports $25,000 in pension income. This can save you up to $3,700 in federal taxes, depending on your marginal tax rates.
  • Home accessibility tax credit: This is a non-refundable tax credit for individuals who are 65 years of age or older, or who are eligible for the disability tax credit, and who incur expenses for making their home more accessible, safe, or functional. The maximum amount for the 2022 tax year is $10,000 per qualifying home. Qualifying expenses include installing ramps, handrails, walk-in bathtubs, wheel-in showers, widening doorways, lowering cabinets, or modifying electrical outlets. The home accessibility tax credit can save you up to $1,500 in federal taxes.
  • Medical expense tax credit: This is a non-refundable tax credit for individuals who incur eligible medical expenses for themselves, their spouse or common-law partner, or their dependants. The maximum amount for the 2022 tax year is the lesser of 3% of your net income or $2,421. Eligible medical expenses include payments to medical practitioners, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, or other health professionals, as well as payments for prescription drugs, medical devices, dental services, vision care, hearing aids, ambulance services, or travel expenses for medical treatment. The medical expense tax credit can save you up to $363 in federal taxes.

How to claim the tax benefits for seniors in Canada?

To claim the tax benefits for seniors in Canada, you need to file your income tax and benefit return by the deadline and include the relevant forms and receipts. The deadline for most Canadians to file their 2022 return is April 30, 2023. However, if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed, you have until June 15, 2023, to file your return. If you owe money, your payment is due on April 30, 2023.

To claim the age amount, the pension income amount, the home accessibility tax credit, and the medical expense tax credit, you need to complete Schedule 1 – Federal Tax and enter the amounts on the appropriate lines.

To claim the pension income splitting, you need to complete Form T1032 – Joint Election to Split Pension Income and enter the amounts on the appropriate lines. You also need to attach the receipts or documents that support your claims, such as the T4A – Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income, the T4RIF – Statement of Income from a Registered Retirement Income Fund, the T4PRP – Statement of Income from a Pooled Registered Pension Plan, the T4A(P) – Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits, the T4A(OAS) – Statement of Old Age Security, the T2201 – Disability Tax Credit Certificate, or the invoices or receipts for the home accessibility or medical expenses.

Where to find more information and assistance?

If you need more information or assistance with filing your taxes and claiming the tax benefits for seniors in Canada, you can visit the following websites or call the following numbers:

  • Canada Revenue Agency: This is the federal agency that administers tax laws and benefits for the Government of Canada. You can find information on tax credits and deductions, tax forms and publications, online services, and contact information. You can also use the Auto-fill my return service, which is a secure service that allows you to automatically fill in parts of your income tax and benefit return with information that the CRA has available at the time of the request. You can access this service through certified tax software products, some of which are free.
  • Community Volunteer Income Tax Program: This is a program that offers free tax preparation clinics where volunteers can help you complete and file your income tax and benefit return. This service is available for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. You can find a tax clinic near you by using the Find a tax clinic tool.
  • File my Return: This is a service that allows eligible individuals to file their income tax and benefit return for free by phone. This service is available for individuals who have low income or a fixed income that stays the same year-to-year. You can use this service if you received an invitation letter from the CRA in the mail.

We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us at HustleHub, the online platform for hustlers who want to learn, grow, and succeed. Thank you for reading and happy tax filing!

Source: (1) Taxes when you retire or turn 65 years old – Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/changes-your-taxes-when-you-retire-turn-65-years-old.html. (2) Seniors: We’ve got tips to help you this tax season! – Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2023/seniors-tips-to-help-this-tax-season.html.

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