---
title: "Can I Claim Medical Expenses on My Taxes in Canada? A Complete Guide"
id: "14848"
type: "post"
slug: "can-i-claim-medical-expenses-on-taxes-canada"
published_at: "2026-06-02T17:57:35+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-06-03T11:58:39+00:00"
url: "https://taxccount.com/blog/can-i-claim-medical-expenses-on-taxes-canada/"
markdown_url: "https://taxccount.com/blog/can-i-claim-medical-expenses-on-taxes-canada.md"
excerpt: "If you have had a significant medical expense in Canada — whether it was surgery, prescription drugs, dental work, or a medical device — you may be wondering if you can get some of that money back through your taxes...."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Taxccount"
---

[Taxccount](https://taxccount.com/blog/category/taxccount/)
[June 2, 2026](https://taxccount.com/blog/2026/06/)

# Can I Claim Medical Expenses on My Taxes in Canada? A Complete Guide

If you have had a significant medical expense in Canada — whether it was surgery, prescription drugs, dental work, or a medical device — you may be wondering if you can get some of that money back through your taxes. The good news is: yes, in many cases you can.

Canada has a **Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)** that allows individuals to claim eligible medical expenses and reduce the amount of tax they owe. This guide explains what qualifies, how the credit works, and how to maximize your claim.

Table of Contents

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## What Is the Medical Expense Tax Credit?

The Medical Expense Tax Credit is a **non-refundable tax credit** available to Canadian taxpayers. It reduces the amount of federal income tax you owe based on qualifying medical expenses that exceed a threshold amount.

The credit applies to a wide range of expenses including prescription medications, dental work, medical devices, certain therapies, and services not covered by provincial health plans. Because it is non-refundable, it can reduce your taxes to zero but will not generate a refund on its own.

## Who Can Claim Medical Expenses?

You can claim the Medical Expense Tax Credit if you paid eligible medical expenses for:

- Yourself
- Your spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children under 18 years of age
- Other dependants (adult children, parents, grandparents, siblings, or other qualifying relatives)

Note that expenses claimed for other dependants (not yourself, your spouse, or your children under 18) are subject to a separate calculation and may be limited based on net income.

## File Taxes With Ease

[☎️ Get Help](https://taxccount.com/book-a-consultation/)
## What Medical Expenses Are Eligible?

The CRA maintains a detailed list of eligible medical expenses. Common qualifying expenses include:

- **Prescription drugs** — Medications prescribed by a licensed physician or dentist
- **Dental services** — Fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures, and orthodontics
- **Eye care** — Prescription glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery
- **Medical devices** — Hearing aids, wheelchairs, CPAP machines, and prosthetics
- **Attendant care** — Costs for a full-time attendant or nursing home care for someone with a severe disability
- **Therapy services** — Psychologist, speech therapist, or occupational therapist fees
- **Home modifications** — Costs to make your home accessible for a disability
- **Travel expenses** — If you must travel more than 40 kilometres to obtain medical treatment not available locally
- **Fertility treatments** — IVF and related costs
- **Mental health** — Fees paid to psychologists or licensed therapists

## What Medical Expenses Are Not Eligible?

- Gym memberships and fitness classes
- Over-the-counter medications and vitamins (unless prescribed by a doctor)
- Cosmetic procedures (facelifts, Botox, teeth whitening)
- Hair transplants
- Non-prescription health products
- Expenses reimbursed by a private health insurance plan

## How Much Can You Claim?

You can claim eligible medical expenses that exceed **the lesser of:**

- 3% of your net income, or
- A fixed threshold set by the CRA (approximately $2,759 for the 2024 tax year)

Only the amount above this threshold qualifies for the credit. The federal credit rate is 15%, so for every $1,000 in eligible expenses above the threshold, you receive approximately $150 in federal tax savings.

## How to Calculate the Medical Expense Tax Credit

Here is a simple example:

- Net income: $60,000
- 3% of net income: $1,800
- Fixed threshold: $2,759
- Lesser amount: $1,800
- Total eligible medical expenses: $5,000
- Amount above threshold: $5,000 − $1,800 = $3,200
- Federal credit (15%): $3,200 × 15% = $480

You would also receive a provincial credit on top of the federal amount, which varies by province.

## Claiming for a Spouse, Dependant, or Other Family Members

It is often more advantageous for the lower-income spouse to claim the medical expenses. Because the threshold is 3% of net income, a lower income means a lower threshold, which means more expenses qualify for the credit.

You can also combine your medical expenses with those of your spouse or common-law partner and claim them all on one return. This is typically more tax-efficient than splitting the claim between two returns.

## The 12-Month Rule for Medical Expenses

You do not have to claim medical expenses within a single calendar year. The CRA allows you to claim expenses for any **12-month period ending in the tax year** you are filing. This means you can overlap years strategically to maximize the credit.

For example, if you had large expenses in November 2023 and February 2024, you could claim both on your 2024 return by choosing a 12-month period that includes both months (November 2023 to November 2024).

## Tips for Maximizing Your Medical Expense Claim

- Keep all receipts and documentation throughout the year
- Have the lower-income spouse claim all eligible expenses on their return
- Combine expenses with your spouse’s to exceed the threshold more easily
- Use the 12-month rule to capture expenses that fall across two calendar years
- Check whether your province offers additional medical expense credits beyond the federal credit
- Do not overlook less obvious eligible expenses like therapy, travel, and home modifications

**Want to Claim Every Medical Expense You Are Entitled To? Talk to Taxccount**

Taxccount helps Canadians identify every eligible medical expense, choose the optimal 12-month period, and file accurately to maximize their refund. Our team understands the CRA’s rules and knows how to apply them in your favour. **Book a free consultation with Taxccount today.**

## Table of summary

Here is the blog information in **6 easy rows**:

Tips for Maximizing Your Medical Expense Claim

 | Section | Easy Information |
| --- | --- |
| 1. Topic | The blog explains whether Canadians can claim medical expenses on their taxes through the Medical Expense Tax Credit. |
| 2. What Is METC | The Medical Expense Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces federal tax owing for eligible medical costs. |
| 3. Who Can Claim | You can claim eligible expenses paid for yourself, spouse/common-law partner, children under 18, and certain dependants. |
| 4. Eligible Expenses | Common eligible expenses include prescription drugs, dental work, glasses, contact lenses, medical devices, therapy, fertility treatment, and certain medical travel costs. |
| 5. Not Eligible | Gym memberships, vitamins, cosmetic procedures, non-prescription health products, and expenses reimbursed by insurance are generally not claimable. |
| 6. Simple Summary | Canadians can claim eligible medical expenses above the CRA threshold, and it may be better for the lower-income spouse to claim them to maximize the credit. |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I claim medical expenses if I have private insurance?

You can only claim expenses that were not reimbursed by your insurance plan. If your plan covered part of the cost, you may claim the portion you paid out of pocket.

### Do I need receipts to claim medical expenses?

Yes. You should keep all receipts and documentation in case the CRA requests them. You do not need to submit them with your return, but you must be able to provide them if asked.

### Can I claim medical travel expenses?

Yes, if the nearest appropriate medical facility is more than 40 kilometres from your home, you can claim travel expenses including mileage, accommodations, and meals. If the distance is more than 80 kilometres, additional travel costs may be claimable.

### Can I claim medical expenses for my parents?

Yes, if your parents are dependants. Expenses for other dependants are calculated separately and limited based on their net income. A tax professional can help you determine the most advantageous approach.

### Is the Medical Expense Tax Credit refundable?

The standard Medical Expense Tax Credit is non-refundable. However, lower-income working Canadians may also be eligible for the Refundable Medical Expense Supplement (RMES), which provides a refundable portion of up to approximately $1,457 for the 2024 tax year.

## Get Expert Tax Help

[☎️ Get Help](https://taxccount.com/book-a-consultation/)

This is general information only and not professional advice. Consult a professional before acting.

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