OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Can I claim the Canada caregiver amount?

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The Canada caregiver credit lowers the federal tax you owe if you support a spouse, partner or other relative with a physical or mental impairment. The person must depend on you for basic needs. For an adult relative, their income also counts.

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Who do you care for?

Does your spouse or partner have a physical or mental impairment, and depend on you for basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing?

Does your relative have a physical or mental impairment, and depend on you for basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing?

They do not have to live with you. A parent who lives in their own home can count.

Did your relative live in Canada at some time in 2025?

Was your relative's net income in 2025 less than $28,798?

Net income is the amount on line 23600 of their 2025 tax return.

Likely eligible

You can likely claim the Canada caregiver amount.

Why

Your relative is 18 or older, has an impairment, depends on you for basic needs, lived in Canada during the year, and had 2025 net income under $28,798. For the 2025 tax year, you can claim up to $8,601 for each such relative on line 30450. Amounts change each year; the 2026 figures were not yet confirmed when we checked.

What to do next

  1. Claim it on line 30450 of your 2025 return. If you already filed, use Change my return in your CRA account.
  2. Keep a signed statement from a medical practitioner that says when the impairment began and how long it is expected to last. An approved Disability Tax Credit certificate (form T2201) also works. The CRA may ask for it.
  3. The credit lowers tax you owe. If you owe no federal tax, it will not give you a refund.
  4. Check the CRA page for the 2026 amounts before you file your 2026 return.
  5. Other help may also apply: Nova Scotia's Caregiver Benefit, Manitoba's Primary Caregiver Tax Credit, Quebec's tax credit for caregivers, and the Caregiver Recognition Benefit for caregivers of veterans. Our guide explains who can get them.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely claim the Canada caregiver amount for your spouse or partner.

Why

Your spouse or partner has an impairment and depends on you for basic needs. For a spouse or common-law partner, the amount is worked out on Schedule 5 and claimed on line 30425 of your return.

What to do next

  1. Fill in Schedule 5 with your return, or let your tax software do it, and claim the result on line 30425.
  2. Keep a signed statement from a medical practitioner that says when the impairment began and how long it is expected to last. An approved Disability Tax Credit certificate (form T2201) also works. The CRA may ask for it.
  3. If your spouse or partner may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, check that too. If they do not need all of it, you may be able to claim the unused part.
  4. Ask your home care program about respite care, so you can get a break.
  5. Other help may also apply: Nova Scotia's Caregiver Benefit, Manitoba's Primary Caregiver Tax Credit, Quebec's tax credit for caregivers, and the Caregiver Recognition Benefit for caregivers of veterans. Our guide explains who can get them.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Different rules apply for a child.

Why

Other amounts apply when the person you care for is a child under 18. This check covers spouses, partners and adult relatives only.

What to do next

  1. Read the CRA page on the Canada caregiver credit, linked below.
  2. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 and ask about the caregiver amount for a child.
  3. If the child has a severe and prolonged impairment, look at the Disability Tax Credit too.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

The tax credit is likely for family, but other help may fit.

Why

The Canada caregiver credit is for a spouse, common-law partner or a dependant relative, such as a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. Other caregiver help does not always need you to be related.

What to do next

  1. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you are not sure whether the person counts as your dependant.
  2. If you are still working, EI caregiving benefits can pay you to care for someone who is like family to you. Call 1-800-206-7218.
  3. For respite care and caregiver support groups, ask the local home care office or dial 2-1-1.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely cannot claim the Canada caregiver amount.

Why

The credit is only for a person who has a physical or mental impairment and depends on you for basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing.

What to do next

  1. If their health changes, run this check again.
  2. Keep receipts for care costs you pay. Some can be claimed as medical expenses.
  3. For respite care and caregiver support, ask the local home care office or dial 2-1-1.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

A medical practitioner can confirm the impairment.

Why

The person must have a physical or mental impairment and depend on you for basic needs. The CRA may ask for a signed statement from a medical practitioner that says when the impairment began and how long it is expected to last.

What to do next

  1. Ask the person's doctor or nurse practitioner whether they would sign such a statement.
  2. If the person is approved for the Disability Tax Credit, that certificate also supports your claim.
  3. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you have questions.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely cannot claim it for that year.

Why

For an adult relative other than a spouse, the person must have lived in Canada at some time in the year.

What to do next

  1. If your relative lives in Canada in a later year, run this check again for that year.
  2. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you are not sure.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Your relative's 2025 income was likely too high.

Why

For the 2025 tax year, the caregiver amount on line 30450 is for a relative whose net income was less than $28,798.

What to do next

  1. Check the number on line 23600 of their 2025 tax return or Notice of Assessment.
  2. If their income is lower in a later year, run this check again. The 2026 limit was not yet confirmed when we checked.
  3. Keep receipts for care costs you pay. Some can be claimed as medical expenses.
  4. If you are still working and need time off to care for them, EI caregiving benefits may help. Our guide explains them.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your relative's 2025 income decides this.

Why

You meet the other rules. For the 2025 tax year, you can claim up to $8,601 on line 30450 if your relative's net income was less than $28,798.

What to do next

  1. Ask your relative for line 23600 of their 2025 tax return or their Notice of Assessment.
  2. If they did not file a 2025 tax return, help them file one.
  3. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you have questions.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Canada caregiver credit (Canada Revenue Agency)
  2. Canada caregiver amount for other infirm dependants age 18 or older (Canada Revenue Agency)
  3. Canada caregiver amount for spouse or common-law partner, or eligible dependant (Canada Revenue Agency)
  4. EI caregiving benefits: Eligibility (Government of Canada)

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