Guide to Dental Expenses Tax Deductible in Canada: Can I Claim Dental Expenses on my Taxes in Ontario?

Dental expenses can add up rapidly, taking a major chunk of your budget. If you have a habit of itemizing deductions, it can help you lift off some of the financial burden. 

With dental expenses tax deductible in Canada policies, you can get some of the costs covered.

In this blog, we will explore the question, "Can you claim dental expenses on taxes in Canada?"

Read on to understand how dental expenses tax deductible in Canada procedure looks.

Learn More: Teeth Whitening Dentist Cost in Canada: How Much is Teeth Whitening?

Dental Expenses Tax Deductible In Canada

A tax deduction is a specific amount you have spent on dental expenses that you can deduct from your taxable income. 

This indicates that you owe less taxes than you would have if the deduction hadn't occurred.

Every deduction is subject to certain regulations. A tax specialist can help you determine which of your eligible expenses are deductible. 

Premiums paid for hospitalization, dental, and medical insurance offered by private health services providers. 

As long as acceptable medical expenses account for 90% or more of the premiums paid under the plan, they can be claimed as dental or medical expenses.

Website To Learn the Details 

You can also contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for information about the requirements. 

To find out what is eligible, use the website's search engine and select a treatment or product.

Like with any other deduction, Canadians can lower their taxable income by deducting certain qualified medical costs from their annual income tax filings.

According to the CRA standards, there is an eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill.

One of the criteria of eligibility is that the expense should be a medical necessity.

In addition, the costs must surpass a certain level determined by each person's income and cannot be reimbursed by an insurance plan.

Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)

To understand dental expenses tax deductible in Canada, you need to be aware of what METC stands for.

Basically, it is a tax credit that all Canadian citizens can claim on their income tax returns.

That said, you can only claim the expense if you spend it with your own money and not with insurance or any third-party payer.

In simple words, it permits you to deduct specific medical expenses from your taxable income.

List of Eligible Medical Expenses CRA

Now, let's talk about the eligibility of dental expenses tax deductible in Canada.

Since most group insurance plans do not pay for all dental expenses, it is essential to consider filing for the portion of the bill that insurance does not cover. 

Qualifying dental expenses typically include a wide range of procedures necessary to preserve or enhance oral health, such as:

Services Involving Dentists/Physicians: Costs associated with solely aesthetic operations are not covered. If the procedure includes the dental services carried out by a dentist, you can qualify for dental expenses tax deductible in Canada.

Dental Implants and Dentures: Dental expenses tax deductible in Canada include the reimbursement without a prescription or certification.

Orthodontic Treatments: These treatments include paying a doctor or dentist to place braces or provide Invisalign clear aligners. 

What Dental Expenses Are Tax Deductible in Canada (Explained)

After discussing the basics of dental expenses tax deductible in Canada, it's time to discuss the details.

Below, you will find all the information you need on "Can you claim dental expenses on taxes?".

1.Dental Implants: Are Dental Implants Tax Deductible in Canada?

Yes, dental implants are tax deductible in Canada only if you are not getting them for cosmetic or beautification purposes.

Your oral health providers can help determine whether getting implants is medically essential. Once you get the green light from them, you can get the answer to the question: can you claim dental expenses on taxes?

Records and Evidence of the Dental Expense

Maintaining records and evidence of the process is still crucial to bolster your claim. The medical records and receipts can back up your dental expenses tax deductible in Canada claims. Apart from that, you will need the dentist's or the surgeon's name and address.

Once you have all the records, save them following the treatment for a minimum of six years. 

The CRA may contest tax deductions during this duration. To claim qualified medical costs, use Schedule 1, Federal Tax, and provincial or territorial tax forms.

Restrictions You May Face

If you plan to claim a tax deduction for your dental implants, you should be aware of certain limitations.

The implant's price has to exceed a particular amount, which changes depending on your net income.

You can reach this dental benefit level in certain circumstances by adding up your medical costs over the entire year.

2.Invisalign 

You can deduct paid Invisalign treatment costs on your income tax return and obtain a tax credit.

Vancouver residents are eligible for the Canadian government's medical expense tax credit. This implies that the cost of your Invisalign treatment may qualify for a $1,000 tax deduction.

Claiming the Eligible Dental Expenses 

Line 33099:

Line 33099 claims the entire qualified medical costs that you, your spouse, or your common-law partner spent on any of the following individuals.

  • Oneself 

  • Common-law partner

  • Spouse

  • Your Children under the age of eighteen

Line 33199

You can use this line to reimburse eligible medical expenses paid by you, your common-law partner, or your spouse for individuals who are your financial responsibilities.

For instance, these people can be your children, grandchildren, or other family members who were living in Canada at any period of the fiscal year.

Additionally, the dependent relatives of your common-law partner or spouse are included.

How Much Can You Claim Using 33099?

The entire amount of the allowable expenses less the lower of the following sums is what you can claim:

  • $2,479 

  • 3% of your net income (as shown on line 23600 of their tax return)

How Much Can You Claim Using 33199?

The entire amount of the allowable expenses less the lower of the following sums is what you can claim:

  • $2,479 

  • 3% of your dependant's net income (as shown on line 23600 of their tax return)

Claim Expenses For Person That Has Passed Away

You can claim for expenses paid in any 24-month period, including the date of death, which may be submitted for someone who passed away within the relevant fiscal year.

FAQs

Which dental expenses are tax deductible in Canada?

The dental expenses you can claim include routine dental examinations, cleanings, fillings, extractions, oral surgery, dentures, and orthodontic work (braces included).

Can I claim cosmetic dental treatments?

No, you cannot deduct money for cosmetic dentistry operations like teeth whitening.

How should dental costs be reported on my tax return?

You must fill out the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) part of your income tax return (Form T1) to claim dental expenditures. The entire amount of allowable medical costs, including dental costs, must be included.

Can I only claim a certain amount of dental expenses?

The amount you can claim is not specified. However, the costs must be more than the amount that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sets as a fixed threshold for the tax year, or 3% of your net income, whichever is lower.

In Conclusion

Understanding dental expenses tax deductible in Canada can have a big impact on your tax returns.

Fillings, dentures, dental implants, and other dental work are all considered dental expenses that you can claim.

Cosmetic dental procedures, including teeth whitening, are the only ones not covered because they are not considered medically necessary. 

So, always retain your receipts and any other pertinent paperwork whenever you claim a deduction on your income tax. 

Although the Canada Revenue Agency may request that you supply certain records and receipts to support your claim, you are not required to include them with your tax return.

To ask more questions related to "can you claim dental expenses on taxes?"You can contact our team anytime.

Muhammad Aslam