Can I claim medical expenses incurred abroad on my Canadian tax return?
The Short Answer
Good news! Generally speaking, you can claim medical expenses incurred abroad on your Canadian tax return. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows you to claim eligible medical expenses regardless of where they were paid[1].
What Can You Claim?
The CRA is pretty flexible when it comes to medical expenses. You can claim a wide range of healthcare costs, including:
- Medical supplies
- Dental care
- Travel expenses related to medical treatment
Timing Is Everything
Here's an important tidbit: you can claim medical expenses for any 12-month period ending in the tax year you're filing for. So, if you're filing your 2024 tax return, you could claim expenses from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, or from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024 - whatever works best for you[1].
Travel Expenses: A Special Case
If your trip abroad was specifically for medical treatment, you might be able to claim some travel expenses too. But there are some rules:
- The medical service wasn't available near your home in Canada.
- You took a direct route.
- It was reasonable for you to travel to that location for the medical service.
If you travelled at least 40 kilometers (one way) for treatment, you might be able to claim transportation costs. If it was 80 kilometers or more, you could potentially claim accommodation, meals, and parking too[2].
Keep Your Receipts!
The CRA loves documentation. While you don't need to send in your receipts with your tax return, make sure to keep them handy in case they ask to see them later[1].
A Word of Caution
Remember, you can only claim the portion of expenses that you haven't been (and won't be) reimbursed for. So if your travel insurance covered part of your medical bill, you can only claim the part you paid out of pocket[1].
Residency Matters
If you're spending a lot of time outside Canada, it's a good idea to check your residency status with the CRA. Your tax obligations can change depending on whether you're considered a resident or non-resident for tax purposes[3].
So there you have it! In most cases, you can indeed claim those medical expenses you incurred while travelling or living abroad. Just remember to keep your receipts and double-check the CRA's rules if you're unsure about a specific expense.
Citations: [1] https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return.html [2] https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc4065/medical-expenses.html [3] https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/living-abroad/taxation