Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
May 1st 2018, 7:17 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
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Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
My dependant daughter was formally diagnosed celiac in Jan 2017.
I understand we can claim the difference in costs for buying gluten free foods versus the price for regular foods. Anyone know where/how to claim this? I believe it can be medical expense/tax credit. It’s not coming up as an obvious entry in UFile.
I have kept all receipts and totted up the amount, it’s a few hundred dollars (I don't see anything in the UFile help pages either).
Anyone else successfully processed this piece? Thanks
I understand we can claim the difference in costs for buying gluten free foods versus the price for regular foods. Anyone know where/how to claim this? I believe it can be medical expense/tax credit. It’s not coming up as an obvious entry in UFile.
I have kept all receipts and totted up the amount, it’s a few hundred dollars (I don't see anything in the UFile help pages either).
Anyone else successfully processed this piece? Thanks
May 1st 2018, 8:16 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-age...tn_fr_fd_prdct
What documents do you need to keep?
Do not send your supporting documents. Keep them in case we ask to see them later. You will need to keep:
a letter from a medical practitioner that certifies that the person has celiac disease and needs a gluten-free diet;
receipts for each gluten-free food product that is claimed; and
a summary of each food product that was bought during the 12-month period for which the expenses are being claimed
Gluten-free food products
Persons with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can claim the incremental costs associated with buying gluten-free food products as a medical expense.
What is the incremental cost?
The incremental cost is the difference in the cost of gluten-free products compared to the cost of similar products with gluten. It is calculated by subtracting the cost of a product with gluten from the cost of a gluten-free product.
Persons with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can claim the incremental costs associated with buying gluten-free food products as a medical expense.
What is the incremental cost?
The incremental cost is the difference in the cost of gluten-free products compared to the cost of similar products with gluten. It is calculated by subtracting the cost of a product with gluten from the cost of a gluten-free product.
What documents do you need to keep?
Do not send your supporting documents. Keep them in case we ask to see them later. You will need to keep:
a letter from a medical practitioner that certifies that the person has celiac disease and needs a gluten-free diet;
receipts for each gluten-free food product that is claimed; and
a summary of each food product that was bought during the 12-month period for which the expenses are being claimed
For more information, see lines 330 and 331 in the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-age...ge/5000-g.html
Last edited by Siouxie; May 1st 2018 at 8:20 pm.
May 1st 2018, 8:54 pm
#3
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
My dependant daughter was formally diagnosed celiac in Jan 2017.
I understand we can claim the difference in costs for buying gluten free foods versus the price for regular foods. Anyone know where/how to claim this? I believe it can be medical expense/tax credit. It’s not coming up as an obvious entry in UFile.
I have kept all receipts and totted up the amount, it’s a few hundred dollars (I don't see anything in the UFile help pages either).
Anyone else successfully processed this piece? Thanks
I understand we can claim the difference in costs for buying gluten free foods versus the price for regular foods. Anyone know where/how to claim this? I believe it can be medical expense/tax credit. It’s not coming up as an obvious entry in UFile.
I have kept all receipts and totted up the amount, it’s a few hundred dollars (I don't see anything in the UFile help pages either).
Anyone else successfully processed this piece? Thanks
May 1st 2018, 9:44 pm
#4
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
It looks really complicated, because you will have to determine how much an equivalent food with gluten would have cost.
I've been buying some gluten-free foods recently, mainly bread and cookies ............. the difference in cost seems to be around $1 or $2
I've been buying some gluten-free foods recently, mainly bread and cookies ............. the difference in cost seems to be around $1 or $2
May 2nd 2018, 4:56 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
Ok, thanks Siouxie, re lines 330 and 331. Of course UFile doesn’t work so easily as to label the boxes as line equivalents but I can work it out from there.
Bats, I’ll let you know if it works.
Scilly, it was not that difficult. I did a spreadsheet, kept all receipts and then listed the lot, got costs of the regular stuff and done. It’s not too difficult because gluten free foods can be somewhat limited and repetitive! It’s easy to cost out 20 loaves, or 5 bags of flour, etc. 😉
Bats, I’ll let you know if it works.
Scilly, it was not that difficult. I did a spreadsheet, kept all receipts and then listed the lot, got costs of the regular stuff and done. It’s not too difficult because gluten free foods can be somewhat limited and repetitive! It’s easy to cost out 20 loaves, or 5 bags of flour, etc. 😉
May 4th 2018, 5:01 pm
#6
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Joined: May 2007
Location: MB rural.
Posts: 1,001
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
I did this for the first few years but TBH I saw no difference in my tax rebate.so I let it go . and If I remember where I read it I will post a celiac s problem when she was audited. iirc she had to produce every receipt and proof of difference for rolls,bread,flour and an up to date letter from her doctor.as proof of CD.
May 4th 2018, 7:50 pm
#7
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
I did this for the first few years but TBH I saw no difference in my tax rebate.so I let it go . and If I remember where I read it I will post a celiac s problem when she was audited. iirc she had to produce every receipt and proof of difference for rolls,bread,flour and an up to date letter from her doctor.as proof of CD.
Remember it is a non-refundable tax credit that is used to reduce tax paid or due. You don't actually get money back, unless the medical expense credit against tax paid means you have paid too much tax.
May 4th 2018, 8:56 pm
#8
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Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
You can claim medical expenses if they amount to more than 3% of your net income, and it can take a lot of medical expenses to reach that level! That's why it is usually recommended that the person with the lowest income should claim the credit, if that is possible.
Remember it is a non-refundable tax credit that is used to reduce tax paid or due. You don't actually get money back, unless the medical expense credit against tax paid means you have paid too much tax.
Remember it is a non-refundable tax credit that is used to reduce tax paid or due. You don't actually get money back, unless the medical expense credit against tax paid means you have paid too much tax.
May 4th 2018, 11:32 pm
#9
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Location: BC, Canada
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Re: Tax return - celiac/gluten free foods
I didn't double check ......naughty me!
