Tax season can feel overwhelming, but there are programs to help. If you are a person with a disability, filing your taxes can help you save money, pay less in taxes, and get important benefits. Whether you are filing taxes for yourself or helping someone else, here are some key things to know.

Why Should You File a Tax Return?

Even if you have little or no income, you should still file your taxes. Filing a tax return can help you get different benefits, credits and financial supports. It can also make it easier to access future government programs.

For example, to get the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), expected to roll out in July 2025, you must have filed an income tax return.

What Benefits and Credits Can You Get?

People with disabilities can get many tax benefits that provide support. Here are some of the most important ones:

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that can reduce the amount of tax you owe. It can also open the door to other programs including:

  • Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Disability Supplement
  • Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
  • And soon, the new Canada Disability Benefit

The DTC is retroactive for up to 10 years, meaning you may be able to get money for past years if you are eligible.

You can learn more by reading Inclusion Canada’s plain language blog post on the DTC -> here.

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

The RDSP is a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities. If you qualify for the DTC, you can open an RDSP. Individuals may be eligible for free money from the government in the form of grants and bonds. These grants and bonds are based on how much money the household earns. The RDSP can be a powerful tool for the financial security of people with disabilities.

You can learn more by reading Inclusion Canada’s plain language blog post on the RDSP -> here.

Canada Caregiver Credit

If you support a family member with a disability, you may qualify for this tax credit. Learn more – > here.

Home Accessibility Tax Credit

If you made home renovations to improve accessibility, you may be eligible for a tax credit. Learn more – > here.

Medical Expense Tax Credit

You may also be eligible to claim certain medical expenses if you are eligible for the DTC.

You can see what benefits you might be eligible for by using the Benefits Wayfinder Tool or the Government of Canada’s Benefits Finder Tool.

A calculator and pen on a piece of paper

You Can Get Help with Your Taxes:

There are many resources and services to help you get your taxes done:

1) Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

      You may be able to get your taxes done by a volunteer for free. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a partnership between the CRA and community organizations and their volunteers.

      Through this program, community organizations host tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for free for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. To learn more, click here.

      To find out if you’re eligible for a free tax clinic, click here.

      2) Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Webinars

      The CRA offers free webinars with information on tax benefits and credits for people with disabilities. You can access these webinars here:

      • Video: Learn About Your Taxes
      • Video: Webinar for Persons with Disabilities and Their Caregivers
      • Video: Webinar for persons with disabilities – Part 1
      • Video: Webinar for persons with disabilities – Part 2

      The CRA also hosts live webinars throughout the year. You can find any upcoming sessions here.

      3) Automatic Tax Filing

      The government is working on a plan so the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can automatically file taxes for people with low income. This means the CRA would use the information they already have to create a pre-filled tax return. People would be able to review and update their tax returns if needed.

      This would help ensure that people get the benefits they are entitled to. Right now, many low-income Canadians, including some people with intellectual disabilities, miss out on important benefits because they don’t file taxes.

      Although this has not happened yet, Inclusion Canada will continue to advocate for a fully automatic tax filing system to make sure that no one is left behind. We will continue pushing for change so more people can access the financial support they need.

      More Resources to Help You

      Here are some more resources that may help you learn about filing your taxes, and the important benefits and credits the government offers:

      1. Prosper Canada: Supported tax filing toolkit
      2. Canada Revenue Agency: What you need to know before you file your taxes
      3. Canada Revenue Agency: Learn about your taxes – an online course that will teach you about personal income taxes in Canada and completing your tax return

      Learn About the RDSP

      Learn About the DTC

      Other Benefits of the DTC, Disability Alliance BC

      Guide to the DTC and RDSP for Newcomers with Disabilities, Plan Institute

      The DTC Helpsheet, Disability Alliance BC

      DTC Guide – Over 50, Plan Institute

      DTC Tool, Disability Alliance BC