Denise Savoie

SAVOIE URGES ELIGIBLE CONSTITUENTS TO APPLY FOR THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT

OTTAWA – Some Victorians with disabilities may be paying too much income tax because they don’t realize they’re eligible for the disability tax credit, said Denise Savoie, NDP Member of Parliament for Victoria.

“I urge every one of my constituents who has a disability to investigate whether they’re eligible for this credit,” Savoie said. “I’m convinced that too few people who are entitled to the disability tax credit realize that it’s available.”

Those who can’t afford professional help preparing their taxes may overlook the credit, and others may believe their disability is not severe enough to make them eligible. There are, however, multiple grounds on which someone may qualify for the credit (see attached fact sheet).

“Ultimately it’s up to an individual’s doctor and Canada Revenue to determine eligibility. But if people don’t even realize the credit exists, they won’t bother to ask about it and could miss out on money that rightfully belongs to them,” Savoie said.

Other NDP MPs have been working in their ridings to raise awareness about the credit, and have found that many eligible people were unaware of it. In some cases, people with disabilities received thousands of dollars in retroactive refunds. A 2001 Statistics Canada survey of people with disabilities found that 37% did not apply for the credit because they didn’t know about it.

“Even if the amount a person collects turns out to be small,” Savoie said, “I want to make sure my constituents get what they’re legally entitled to.”

Those with questions about applying for the credit should contact Savoie’s Victoria office (363-3600) or other organizations that offer this assistance, such as the Disability Resource Centre and the Action Committee for People with Disabilities. Application forms are also available at Savoie’s Victoria office.