Line 318 – Disability amount transferred from a dependant

You may have a dependant who is able to claim the disability amount (line 316), and that person may not need to claim all or part of that amount on his or her income tax and benefit return. Under certain conditions, your dependant may be able to transfer this amount to you. If your dependant is eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC), you may be able to claim all or part of his or her disability amount on your tax return.

If you are not attaching a Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate for a dependant, attach to your paper return a note stating the dependant's name, social insurance number, and relationship to you.

What are the criteria?

You may be able to claim all or part of your dependant's (other than your spouse or common-law partner) disability amount (line 316) if he or she was resident in Canada at any time in 2016 and was dependent on you for all or some of the basic necessities of life (food, shelter, or clothing).

In addition, one of the following situations has to apply:

• You claimed an amount on line 305 for that dependant, or you could have if you did not have a spouse or common-law partner and if the dependant did not have any income.
• The dependant was your or your spouse's or common-law partner's parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, and you claimed an amount on line 306 or line 315 for that dependant, or you could have if he or she had no income and had been 18 years of age or older in 2016.

What if I pay child support?

If you have to pay child support, you cannot claim the disability amount transferred from that child. However, if you were separated from your spouse or common-law partner for only part of 2016 because of a breakdown in your relationship, you can still claim an amount for that child on line 318 (plus any allowable amounts on lines 305, 306, and 315) as long as you do not claim any support amounts paid to your spouse or common-law partner on line 220. You can claim whichever is better for you.

How do I claim for my dependant?

If your dependant was under 18 years of age at the end of the year, first complete the chart for line 316 on the federal worksheet in the forms book to calculate the supplement that dependant may be able to claim.

Complete the chart for line 318 on the federal worksheet in the forms book to calculate your claim for each dependant.

You cannot claim the unused part of this amount if the spouse or common-law partner of the person with a disability is already claiming the disability amount or any other non-refundable tax credit (other than medical expenses) for the person with the disability.

If you or anyone else paid for attendant care, or for care in an establishment, special rules may apply. For more information, see Attendant care or care in an establishment.

Can I split the disability amount with another person?

You can split the unused part of this amount with another supporting person. If so, attach a note to your paper return that includes the name and social insurance number of the other person who is claiming this amount. The total claimed for that dependant cannot be more than the maximum amount allowed for that dependant.

Forms and publications

• General Income Tax and Benefit Package for 2016 – Guide, Returns, Schedules
• Guide RC4064, Disability-Related Information
• Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate
• Guide RC4460, Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

Related links

• Tax credits and deductions for persons with disabilities
• Child Disability Benefit

Date modified:

2017-01-05