About the Tax Credit
The Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit is a new refundable personal income tax credit, to help low- to moderate-income seniors with eligible medical expenses, including expenses that support aging at home such as attendant care.
Current problems with the Ontario Seniors at Home Tax Credit
Seniors must have a disability certificate to be eligible
For seniors to be able to claim part-time family funded home care expenses, they currently will be required to get a disability certificate through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Many seniors struggle physically and mentally but may not necessarily meet CRA’s stringent eligibility tests for a disability certificate. These seniors will therefore not be able to claim expenses related to the in-home care they depend on to keep them healthy, safe and living at home.
This barrier is unnecessary red tape and should be removed.
Income thresholds are too low
The tax credit is targeted towards low to moderate income seniors, and fully phased out for those with incomes above $65,000. In other jurisdictions like Quebec, thresholds are much higher, which means a wider range of Quebec seniors living at home are able to benefit from this credit.
Ontario should eliminate or significantly increase the income threshold test.