Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question regarding the Disability Tax Credit or our services that you do not see listed below, please contact us. We will respond promptly to all inquiries.

What is the Disability Tax Credit?

Who is eligible for the DTC?

What does True North Disabilities Services do?

How does this work? What has to be done?

Can I file this on my own?

How long does this process take?

Does the severity of my impairment impact how much I will receive from the CRA?

Do I have to re-apply for this every year?

How will I get my money? Are there any restrictions or taxes I have to pay?

I have a full time job, will the CRA deny me because of this?

I currently owe the government money for my taxes… what then?

What if I owe student loans?

I earn no income – is this still worth it for me?

Can I claim this on behalf of my child or another family member?

My doctor says I won’t be approved – are they right?

What fee do you charge for your services?

I have a deceased family member who I feel would have been eligible…is there anything that can be done?

What is the Disability Tax Credit?

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces your annual income tax. It is retroactive, meaning you can claim up to the past 10 years (if your impairment has been affecting you that long).

Who is eligible for the DTC??

Any Canadian of any age that meets the criteria set forth by the CRA is eligible for this credit. If you have a significant physical or mental impairment, that is or has been present substantially all the time, for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, during any period in the last 10 years – you may qualify!

What does True North Disability Services do??

We are DTC experts who specialize in getting the maximum benefits our clients are entitled to while filing their application with the Canadian government.

How does this work? What has to be done??

True North Disability Services will conduct an interview with you to determine if we feel you are eligible for the DTC. If we feel that your impairment will qualify, we will immediately begin our process. This will include requesting full details on your medical condition and how it affects your everyday life, attaining your tax information and any or all other information that is necessary for completing the forms. We will process the forms and have you bring them to your doctor. If your doctor is unfamiliar with them or has any questions, we will communicate directly with him/her ensuring that they understand exactly what they are signing. Once these forms have been completed, we will thoroughly review them ensuring that they have been filled in correctly. We will then submit them to the CRA.

Can I file this on my own??

Yes – you may file the paperwork for the Disability Tax Credit on your own. However, due to the high frequency of Canadians that have applied and been denied, we recommend you seek the advice of our DTC specialists to maximize the potential of a successful claim, as well as the benefits you will be entitled to.

How long does this process take??

Once your application is filed with the CRA, it usually takes 120-150 days to get your approval.

Does the severity of my impairment impact how much I will receive from the CRA??

No – once you have been qualified for the DTC, the amount the government allocates for each tax year is the same for everyone regardless of their impairment. Your age, province of residence, marital status, and overall tax standing, however, can greatly impact the size of your return. We will thoroughly analyze your claim in an attempt to secure the maximum benefits to which you are entitled.

Do I have to re-apply for this every year??

Depending on your impairment, you may have to refile for the DTC each year. However, the CRA may determine that your impairment is expected to last X amount of time, therefore requesting that you re-file for the DTC every 5-10 years. It all depends on your situation and what you are filing for.

How will I get my money? Are there any restrictions or taxes I have to pay??

The DTC is non-taxable, and there are no restrictions at all what you can use the money for! Typically, the CRA will directly deposit the funds into your bank account. This usually comes in 1 payment however in certain cases it is spread out over 2 or 3.

I have a full time job. Will the CRA deny me because of this??

No! Whether you work full time or are unemployed, the CRA does not take this into consideration when approving you for the DTC.

I currently owe the government money for my taxes…what then??

If you currently owe money for your taxes, the CRA will take the money which they are owed before giving you your benefits. For example, if you owe $5000 and your benefits result in an amount of $10,000 being owed to you, the CRA will first take their $5,000, leaving you with the remaining funds.

What if I owe student loans??

As long as you are in good standing with your student loans, any funds you receive will not impact your student loans in any way.

I earn no income – is this still worth it for me??

Of course! All income levels are eligible! Let our DTC specialists analyze your situation – it can be extremely beneficial to sometimes transfer certain or even all of your years you qualify for to a family member.

Can I claim this on behalf of my child or another family member??

Yes! Not only can parents of children file the DTC for them, they also may be entitled to additional benefits through the Child Disability Benefit program if their child is under the age of 18 years. In many situations we can even claim the CDB benefits if the child is over 18.

My doctor says I won’t be approved – are they right??

In many cases – no. The Disability Tax Credit forms and criteria can be quite misleading and tricky and most people do not correctly understand how it works. Your doctors opinion on what they feel may or may not qualify you may be different then how the CRA determines your eligibility.

What fee do you charge for your services??

We offer a free, no obligation consultation to Canadians who feel they may qualify for the DTC. After our consultation, if a client wishes to proceed we begin our process. If successful and a client has received their refund from CRA, it is then that we collect our 20% contingency fee. There is no risk! If you do not get approved, then you don’t pay!

I have a deceased family member who I feel would have been eligible…is there anything that can be done?

Yes! So long as it hasn’t been greater than 10 years since they have passed away, an application can still be filed! When successful, the return will go to the estate.