Tax tip

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Credits and benefits for your family

From January until the end of March 2010, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is issuing weekly tax tips with information geared towards specific groups that are most affected by new and existing credits, deductions, and benefits in the 2009 tax-filing season. This tax tip focuses on child and family benefit recipients.

Don't forget to claim the credits and deductions to which you may be entitled or apply for certain benefits. Some of these include:

• Amount for children born in 1992 or later: You can claim $2,089 for each of your or your spouse's or common-law partner's children who were under the age of 18 at the end of the year and who lived with you throughout 2009.
  
  
• Child care expenses: You may be able to claim a deduction for child care expenses (for example - day camp payments).
  
  
• Medical expenses: You may be able to claim a non-refundable tax credit[Footnote 1] based on the cost of medical expenses for any 12-month period ending in 2009.
  
  
• Child Disability Benefit: If your child is eligible for the disability amount, and is under the age of 18, you may be able to apply for the Child Disability Benefit, a maximum of $204.58 per month.
  
  
• Child benefits: You may be able to apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (for children under the age of 18) and the Universal Child Care Benefit (for children under the age of six) and receive monthly payments to help with the cost of raising children.
  
  
• Children's fitness tax credit: You may be able to claim a non-refundable tax credit[Footnote 1] of up to $75 based on eligible fitness expenses (to a maximum of $500 per child) paid to register your or your spouse's or common-law partner's child in a prescribed program of physical activity. If your child is eligible for the disability tax credit, you may be able to claim an additional credit of $75 for that child.
  
  
• Goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit: Low and modest-income individuals and families may apply for this quarterly payment by completing the application on the first page of their 2009 income tax and benefit return.
  
  
• Working income tax benefit (WITB): Working individuals and families with low income may be able to claim this refundable tax credit. The WITB includes a supplement for individuals who are entitled to the disability amount. Eligible individuals and families may also apply for advance payments.
  
  
• Public transit tax credit: If you use public transit and have bought certain transit passes or electronic payment cards, you may be able to claim this non-refundable tax credit.[Footnote 1]
  
  
• Home-related non-refundable tax credits:[Footnote 1] You may be able to claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit of up to $1,350 based on eligible home renovation or alteration expenses of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, or the First-time Home Buyers' Tax Credit of up to $750 for the acquisition of a qualifying home.
  
  
• Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP): You may be able to deduct your RRSP contributions.

In addition to these, other credits, deductions, and benefits may be available to you. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/benefits.

Take advantage of the CRA's electronic services

Use electronic services such as NETFILE, My Account, My Payment and direct deposit to file your return, manage your tax affairs online, make online payments, and get your refund and benefits deposited into your bank account, respectively. Use the CRA's My Account electronic service to apply for child benefits online. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/eservices.

Footnote 1: Non-refundable tax credits reduce your federal income tax. If the total of your non-refundable tax credits is more than your federal income tax, you will not receive a refund for the difference.

This document is also available for download in PDF format.

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Date modified:

2010-03-22