Many Canadian taxpayers miss out on valuable tax savings by not fully understanding what medical expenses are eligible for deduction. If you or your dependants incurred healthcare-related costs in 2024–2025, you may be entitled to claim them on your 2025 tax return. This guide will walk you through what qualifies, how to claim it, and how to maximize your refund.
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✅ Who Can Claim Medical Expenses in Canada?
Medical expenses can be claimed by:
- The taxpayer themselves
- A spouse or common-law partner
- Dependants such as children under 18, or a parent/grandparent residing with you
The expenses must be paid within any 12-month period ending in 2025 and not claimed in a previous year.
🩺 What Medical Expenses Are Eligible?
The CRA maintains a comprehensive list of eligible expenses. Common deductible medical expenses include:
- Prescription medications
- Dental services
- Eye exams and prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Health-related travel costs (e.g., mileage, parking, accommodation)
- Medical services by licensed practitioners (e.g., physiotherapists, chiropractors)
- Premiums paid to private health plans
- Hearing aids and batteries
- Mobility aids and home modifications for accessibility
- Orthodontics and braces
For the complete CRA list, search: “CRA eligible medical expenses 2025”.
🛑 Common Medical Expenses You Can’t Claim
- Cosmetic surgery purely for appearance (unless medically necessary)
- Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements without a prescription
- Gym memberships or health club fees
- Non-prescription eyewear
💰 How the Medical Expense Tax Credit Works
You can claim the amount of eligible expenses that exceeds the lesser of:
- 3% of your net income, or
- $2,635 (2025 indexed threshold)
The credit is non-refundable but can reduce your tax payable significantly if you qualify.
📆 Which Time Period to Use for Claims
You can choose any 12-month period ending in the tax year (i.e., anytime ending in 2025), provided you haven’t claimed those same expenses previously. This gives you flexibility to maximize eligible claims in one year.
🧾 Required Documentation
To support your medical expense claims, keep:
- Receipts (clearly indicating the date, amount paid, and service provided)
- Prescriptions from a medical practitioner
- Travel logs (if claiming transportation costs)
- Explanation letters from doctors (if claiming less-common expenses)
📌 Where to Report Medical Expenses on Your Tax Return
Claim the total eligible amount on Line 33099 (yourself, spouse, children) or Line 33199 (other dependants) on your 2025 return. Online tax software like NETFILE-certified options will help auto-calculate your claim.
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💡 Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Claim
- Pool all family expenses under the lower-income spouse
- Use the 12-month window strategically if high expenses were incurred in late 2024
- Claim travel expenses for treatments more than 40 km away
- Review all health-related costs—some may be surprisingly eligible
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⚠️ CRA Audits: Be Ready
CRA frequently audits medical expense claims. Having full supporting documentation and only claiming what’s allowed can help you pass any CRA review with ease. Do not guess or overstate amounts.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as official tax advice. Please consult a certified tax expert for guidance tailored to your personal situation.
