2026 Canadian Tax Deduction Checklist | Every Credit

This is the checklist you bookmark and open every tax season. It covers over 60 deductions, credits, and tax-saving opportunities available to Canadian taxpayers in 2026, organized by category so you can quickly scan for items relevant to your situation.

For each item, we've included a brief description, the relevant CRA form or schedule, and a link to the detailed article where we cover the strategy in depth. Check off each item as you review your return — every item you claim is money back in your pocket.

Registered Account Contributions

These are the big-ticket items. Maximizing your registered account contributions is the single most impactful tax strategy for most Canadians.

• RRSP Contributions — Deduct contributions up to your limit ($33,810 for 2026 or 18% of prior-year earned income, whichever is less). Check your Notice of Assessment for your exact room. Deadline: March 1, 2027 for the 2026 tax year. Schedule 7 [RRSP Guide]
• Spousal RRSP Contributions — Contribute to your spouse's RRSP using your own contribution room. The contributor claims the deduction, but the funds belong to the spouse. Powerful for income splitting in retirement. Be aware of the 3-year attribution rule. Schedule 7
• FHSA Contributions — First Home Savings Account contributions are deductible up to $8,000 per year ($40,000 lifetime). There is no first-year catch-up provision. Carry-forward of unused room is capped at $8,000. If you're a first-time home buyer, this should be your top priority. Schedule 15 [FHSA Guide]
• TFSA Contributions — While TFSA contributions aren't tax-deductible, maximizing your $7,000 annual room ($109,000 cumulative since 2009) shelters all future growth from tax permanently. Ensure you haven't over-contributed. [TFSA Guide]
• RESP Contributions — Not deductible, but the government matches 20% of your contribution through the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) up to $500/year per child ($7,200 lifetime per child). [Family Tax Guide]

Employment Income Deductions

If you earn employment income (T4), these deductions reduce your taxable income directly.

• Union and Professional Dues — Annual union dues, professional association fees, and malpractice insurance premiums required for your job. Usually reported on your T4 in Box 44. Line 21200
• Employment Expenses (T2200) — If your employer requires you to pay for expenses as a condition of employment (and signs a T2200 form), you can deduct: supplies, vehicle expenses, travel costs, and certain home office costs. Form T777 [Employee Deductions Guide]
• Home Office Expenses (Employees) — If you work from home and your employer has signed a T2200 or T2200S, you can claim a proportionate share of rent, utilities, internet, and maintenance. Calculate using the detailed method (work-space square footage as a percentage of total home area). Form T777 / T777S
• Vehicle Expenses (Employees) — If you're required to use your personal vehicle for work, claim fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking, and CCA. You must keep a mileage logbook. CCA Class 10.1 ceiling: $39,000 for vehicles acquired in 2026. Form T777
• Moving Expenses — If you moved at least 40 km closer to a new job, new business location, or post-secondary school, you can deduct moving costs including transportation, travel, temporary lodging, lease-breaking costs, and legal fees on your new home. Form T1-M, Line 21900
• Legal Fees to Collect Salary or Wages — If you paid a lawyer to collect salary, wages, or severance owed to you, or to establish your right to them, these fees are deductible. Line 23200
• Northern Residents Deductions — If you lived in a prescribed northern zone for at least 6 consecutive months, you can claim a residency deduction and travel deduction. Form T2222

Self-Employment Deductions

If you report self-employment income on a T2125, these deductions reduce your business income. See our full self-employed guide for detailed strategies.

• Home Office (Self-Employed) — Claim a proportionate share of rent/mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance based on the square footage used for business. Self-employed individuals can claim mortgage interest (employees cannot). Form T2125
• Vehicle Expenses — Business-use percentage of fuel, insurance, maintenance, lease payments (max $1,050/month for 2026), parking, and CCA. You must keep a mileage logbook tracking business vs. personal kilometres. Form T2125
• Office Supplies and Equipment — Computer equipment, software, printers, paper, postage, and other supplies used for your business. Items over $500 are typically capitalized and claimed through CCA rather than expensed immediately. Form T2125
• Professional Development and Training — Courses, conferences, workshops, certifications, and professional books related to your business. Travel to conferences is also deductible.
• Advertising and Marketing — Website hosting, business cards, online advertising, social media marketing, and promotional materials.
• Professional Fees — Accounting fees for preparing your T2125, legal fees for business matters, and consulting fees. Form T2125
• Business Insurance — Liability insurance, errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, and business property insurance.
• Meals and Entertainment — Business meals and entertainment are 50% deductible. You must have a clear business purpose and document the business relationship. Form T2125
• Bad Debts — If clients owe you money and the debt has become uncollectible, you can write it off as a business expense.
• Health and Dental Insurance Premiums — Self-employed individuals can deduct premiums paid for private health and dental coverage for themselves and their family. Line 33099
• CPP Contributions (Employer Portion) — Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer portions of CPP. The employer portion (50% of your total CPP contribution) is deductible on Line 22200. Line 22200

Investment Income Deductions

Investment income is taxed differently depending on the type. These deductions and strategies can significantly reduce the tax on your investment returns. See our tax-efficient investing guide.

• Carrying Charges and Interest Expense — Interest paid on money borrowed to earn investment income (margin accounts, investment loans), investment management and counselling fees, accounting fees for investment income, and safety deposit box fees. Line 22100
• Capital Losses — Net capital losses can be applied against capital gains in the current year. Unused losses can be carried back 3 years or carried forward indefinitely. The capital gains inclusion rate remains at 50% for 2026. Schedule 3
• Allowable Business Investment Losses (ABIL) — Losses on investments in qualifying small business corporations (Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations). ABILs can be deducted against all income, not just capital gains.
• Dividend Tax Credit — Eligible Canadian dividends receive a tax credit that significantly reduces the effective tax rate. The gross-up and credit mechanism means eligible dividends are taxed at a much lower effective rate than interest income. Line 40425
• Foreign Tax Credit — If you paid tax to a foreign government on foreign-source income (dividends, interest, or capital gains), you can claim a credit to avoid double taxation. Form T2209
• Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) — If you sell qualifying small business corporation (QSBC) shares or qualified farm/fishing property, up to $1,275,000 in capital gains may be exempt from tax in 2026. Form T657

Family Credits and Benefits

Families with children, dependants, or elderly parents have access to significant credits and benefits. See our complete family tax guide.

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) — Tax-free monthly payments of up to $8,157/year per child under 6 and $6,883/year per child aged 6–17 (2026–2027 benefit year). Income-tested — ensure both spouses file their returns to receive payments. Automatic based on filing.
• Childcare Expenses — Deduct up to $8,000 per child under 7, $5,000 per child aged 7–16, and $11,000 per child eligible for the disability tax credit. Generally must be claimed by the lower-income spouse. Form T778, Line 21400
• Canada Caregiver Credit — A non-refundable credit if you support a spouse, common-law partner, or dependant with a physical or mental impairment. The maximum credit amount for 2026 is $8,375 for dependants other than a spouse. Line 30300/30400/30425/30450
• Spousal or Common-Law Partner Amount — If your spouse's net income is below the basic personal amount ($16,452 for 2026), you can claim the difference as a non-refundable credit. Line 30300
• Eligible Dependant Amount — Single parents can claim an amount equivalent to the spousal amount for a dependant child or other qualifying relative living with them. Line 30400
• Children's Fitness and Arts Credits — Check your province — while the federal credit was eliminated in 2017, several provinces still offer provincial credits for children's fitness and arts program registration fees.
• Pension Income Splitting — If you or your spouse receive eligible pension income, you can allocate up to 50% to the lower-income spouse. This can save thousands annually by moving income into a lower tax bracket. Form T1032
• RESP — Canada Education Savings Grant — Not a deduction, but ensure you're contributing enough to receive the full CESG match: $500/year per child (20% of the first $2,500 contributed). Lifetime CESG maximum: $7,200 per child.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses exceeding the lesser of 3% of your net income or $2,759 (2026) qualify for the medical expense tax credit.

• Prescription Medications — All prescription drugs and medications prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Line 33099
• Dental Expenses — Dental work not covered by insurance: fillings, crowns, root canals, braces, dentures, and dental implants.
• Vision Care — Prescription glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, and eye exams.
• Mental Health Services — Psychologist and psychotherapist fees, counselling services, and prescribed therapy programs.
• Travel for Medical Treatment — If you travelled more than 40 km one way for medical treatment not available locally, you can claim transportation costs. If you travelled more than 80 km, you can also claim meals and accommodation.
• Private Health Insurance Premiums — Premiums you pay for private health, dental, and vision insurance (the portion not paid by your employer) are eligible medical expenses.
• Fertility Treatments and Surrogacy — IVF, fertility drugs, and certain surrogacy-related medical expenses are eligible. This is one of the most commonly missed medical expense categories.
• Disability-Related Modifications — Home renovations, devices, and equipment prescribed by a medical practitioner for a person with a disability.

Education Deductions and Credits

• Tuition Tax Credit — Claim tuition fees paid to qualifying Canadian educational institutions (or certain foreign universities for full-time study). Unused tuition can be transferred to a spouse, parent, or grandparent (up to $5,000) or carried forward indefinitely. Schedule 11
• Student Loan Interest — Interest paid on qualifying government student loans (Canada Student Loans, provincial student loans) is eligible for a non-refundable credit. Private loans and lines of credit do not qualify. Unused amounts can be carried forward 5 years. Line 31900
• Canada Training Credit — A refundable credit for eligible tuition and fees. Accumulates at $250/year for eligible workers (ages 26–65, income between $10,000 and ~$160,000). Maximum claim is your accumulated balance or 50% of eligible fees, whichever is less. Schedule 11
• Moving Expenses for Full-Time Students — If you moved 40+ km to attend post-secondary school full-time, you can deduct moving expenses against scholarship, fellowship, and research grant income. Form T1-M

Charitable Donations

Charitable donations receive generous tax treatment, especially at higher income levels. See our guide to commonly missed credits.

• Charitable Donation Tax Credit — The first $200 of donations receives a 15% federal credit. Amounts above $200 receive a 29% credit (or 33% if your income exceeds the top tax bracket threshold of ~$253,414). Provincial credits are added on top. You can carry forward unclaimed donations for up to 5 years. Schedule 9, Line 34900
• Donations of Publicly Traded Securities — If you donate publicly traded stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs directly to a registered charity, the capital gain on those securities is completely tax-exempt. This is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. You receive the donation receipt for the full fair market value while paying zero tax on the appreciation.
• First-Time Donor Super Credit — Check if your province offers enhanced donation credits for first-time donors. The federal super credit expired in 2017, but some provinces have introduced their own versions.
• Donation Bundling Strategy — If your annual donations are small, consider bundling multiple years of donations into a single year to exceed the $200 threshold and claim the higher credit rate on the excess. You can carry forward unused claims for 5 years.

Other Commonly Missed Credits and Deductions

• Basic Personal Amount — The 2026 basic personal amount is $16,452. This is automatic, but ensure you're not inadvertently leaving it unclaimed on certain types of returns. Line 30000
• Age Amount — If you're 65 or older, you can claim up to $9,028. The amount is reduced when your net income exceeds $45,522 and is fully eliminated at approximately $105,291. Line 30100
• Disability Tax Credit (DTC) — A non-refundable credit worth approximately $9,428 (base amount for 2026) if you have a severe and prolonged impairment certified by a medical practitioner on Form T2201. The DTC also unlocks eligibility for the RDSP and higher childcare deduction limits. Form T2201, Line 31600
• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) — A refundable credit for low-income working individuals. Maximum benefit: $1,633 for single individuals, $2,813 for couples. Includes a disability supplement. Your tax software should calculate this automatically. Schedule 6
• GST/HST Credit — Automatic for eligible individuals and families with income below the threshold. Ensure you file a return even if you have no income — you need to file to receive this benefit. Automatic based on filing.
• Climate Action Incentive Payment — Available to residents of provinces where the federal carbon pricing backstop applies. Paid quarterly. You must file a return to receive it. Automatic based on filing.
• Home Buyers' Amount — A non-refundable credit of $10,000 (worth $1,500 in tax savings) for first-time home buyers who purchased a qualifying home. Line 31270
• Home Accessibility Tax Credit — Up to $20,000 in eligible renovation expenses for seniors (65+) or persons eligible for the DTC. Worth up to $3,000 in tax savings. Line 31285
• Digital News Subscription Credit — Claim up to $500 in subscriptions to qualifying Canadian digital news organizations. Non-refundable credit at the 15% rate (worth up to $75). Line 31350
• Volunteer Firefighter / Search and Rescue Credit — If you performed at least 200 hours of eligible volunteer service, you can claim a credit based on $3,000. Line 31220/31240
• Teacher and Early Childhood Educator School Supply Credit — Eligible educators can claim up to $1,000 in eligible school supply expenses at a 25% refundable credit rate. Line 46900

Government Benefits — File to Receive

These benefits require you to file a tax return, even if you have zero income. If you don't file, you don't receive them.

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) — Both spouses must file returns annually, or payments stop. Up to $8,157/child under 6 and $6,883/child aged 6–17.
• GST/HST Credit — Quarterly payments for individuals and families below the income threshold. You must file to receive them.
• Canada Workers Benefit — Up to $1,633 (single) or $2,813 (families) for low-income working Canadians.
• Climate Action Incentive Payment — Quarterly payments in provinces with the federal carbon pricing backstop.
• Provincial Benefits — Many provinces offer additional income-tested benefits (Ontario Trillium Benefit, BC Climate Action Tax Credit, Alberta Child and Family Benefit, etc.) that require a filed return.
• GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement) — For low-income seniors receiving OAS. Your return determines eligibility and payment amounts. Not filing can result in suspension of payments.

Key 2026 Numbers at a Glance

Item	2026 Amount
RRSP Contribution Limit	$33,810
TFSA Annual Limit	$7,000
TFSA Cumulative Room (since 2009)	$109,000
FHSA Annual Limit	$8,000
FHSA Lifetime Limit	$40,000
Basic Personal Amount	$16,452
Capital Gains Inclusion Rate	50%
LCGE (QSBC Shares)	$1,275,000
Medical Expense Threshold	3% of net income or $2,759
Childcare Deduction (under 7)	$8,000/child
Childcare Deduction (7–16)	$5,000/child
CCA Class 10.1 Vehicle Ceiling	$39,000
OAS Clawback Threshold	$95,323

Your Pre-Filing Action Plan

Before you file your 2026 return, run through this quick action plan:

1. Gather all T-slips — T4, T4A, T3, T5, T5007, T5008, and any others. Use CRA Auto-fill My Return to catch slips you might have missed.
2. Check your RRSP room — Log into CRA My Account or check your latest Notice of Assessment.
3. Collect receipts — Medical expenses, charitable donations, childcare receipts, moving expenses, and professional dues.
4. Review this checklist — Go through each category above and check off every item that applies to your situation.
5. Consider professional help — If your return involves self-employment, rental income, investments, or major life changes, a tax professional will almost certainly find more than they cost.
6. File on time — April 30, 2027 for most Canadians. June 15, 2027 for self-employed individuals (but any balance owing is still due April 30). See our full tax calendar for all deadlines.