Which spouse should claim what expenses?
This is a simplified table of various expenses and who should receive the funds or claim them on the income tax form. This will apply to most cases, however there may be exceptions to the rule, such as separation or custody issues. For some credits, it may not matter which spouse claims it. In those cases, I have simplified it to the higher income spouse in case the lower income spouse doesn't have enough tax room to utilize it.
| | Which Spouse should claim or receive funds? | Notes |
BC Autism Funds | Doesn't matter | Only one person can be designated to receive funding and they are responsible for signing every expense or claim form. |
Disability Tax Credit (also known as the disability amount) | The higher income spouse | This tax credit is claimed once per year on the income tax form. The form T2201 must be filed to claim this. |
Medical Expenses | The lower income spouse | The exception is if the lower income spouse's income is so low that he/she can't use the non-refundable tax credit. In this case the higher income spouse should claim it. |
Attendant Care | The lower income spouse should claim the first $10,000 and higher income spouse the second $10,000 | This is a medical expense so the comments above apply. See also my page Deductions and Credits for additional information |
Fitness Credit | The higher income spouse
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Canada Disability Tax Benefit CCTB/UCCB etc | The lower income spouse | |
| Respite | Doesn't matter | |
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