Commonly missed tax credits and deductions

Canada caregiver credit. For taxpayers supporting a spouse, partner, child or dependent with a disability or medical condition, a non-refundable tax credit of up to $8,375 can be claimed on their 2024 tax return.

Medical expense tax credit. This credit is for expenses including prescription glasses and sunglasses, dental work, travel for medical treatment (if over 40 km), gluten-free food (for celiac disease) and therapy.

Tuition and education tax credits. Students can transfer up to $5,000 of unused tuition credits to a parent, spouse or grandparent. Many students forget to claim past tuition fees, the H&R Block release said, and any unused credit can be carried forward indefinitely.

Interest on student loans. On the 2024 return, taxpayers can claim interest paid in 2024 or in any of the past five years, on federal and provincial student loans.

Home accessibility tax credit. The credit covers renovations for seniors (65+) or disabled individuals to improve home accessibility, with a credit of 15% (12.5% in Quebec) or up to $3,000 ($2,500 in Quebec) on expenses up to $20,000 (including GST/HST).

Moving expenses deduction. If a taxpayer moves at least 40 km closer to work or school, they may be eligible to deduct moving costs such as transportation and travel, temporary living expenses and real estate fees.

Disability tax credit. Individuals with prolonged physical or mental impairments may get up to $9,872 in non-refundable tax credits. Many taxpayers with conditions such as ADHD or diabetes, or with mental health conditions, qualify but don’t claim the credit, the H&R Block release said.

First-time home buyers’ amount. This is a $10,000 credit for first-time home buyers (saves up to $1,500, or $1,200 in Quebec).

As the April 30 tax-filing deadline approaches, taxpayers can find all credits, deductions and expenses listed on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.

Filing stats so far this tax season

Between Feb. 7 and April 7 of this year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) received 13.7 million returns, according to the agency’s latest statistics for the 2025 tax-filing season. Considering that more than 33 million returns (specifically, initial assessments) were filed last tax-filing season, returns received so far this season represent about 41% of the estimated total to come — with only two weeks to go until the April 30 deadline.

This tax-filing season has had some snags given tax slip delays or duplicates, whether arising from the proposed (and now off the table) capital gains tax changes or institutions’ uploading challenges as they submitted slips to CRA following changes to the electronic filing system. Incorrect error codes in electronic filing software are also preventing some taxpayers from being able to submit returns. The CRA is working on the issue.

Of the roughly 12.9 million returns assessed this season between Feb. 8 and April 7, about 8.3 millon (64%) resulted in refunds, based on the CRA’s stats, with an average refund amount per return of $2,000. Another 2.2 million had a balance owing with an average amount of $4,000, and about 2.4 million were nil returns, with no refund nor balance owing.

During the previous tax-filing season, the agency issued more than 19 million refunds, with an average refund of $2,294.