Back to School & Taxes

Summer is over which means it's back to school and work.

We're covering what you need to know as a student, parent, or teacher for back to school and taxes.

If you have someone in your life that falls into these categories consider sharing this with them to help them out as well.

Students

If you're heading to university or college this year you'll be able to claim your tuition as well as your application fees for the school you are attending.

At tax time the school will give you a T2202 tuition slip to claim on your tax return. If you are attending post secondary outside of Canada you'll need the school to issue you a TL11(A, B, or C).

When claiming your application fees you are only able to claim the application fees for the school you ended up attending that year.

Unfortunately you cannot claim your books or school supplies.

Parents

If your kids went to camp this summer you'll be able to claim this on your tax return as a childcare expense.

This applies to day camps and overnight camps and the camp can be anything as long as the primary reason is childcare. Your child must be under 16 at any time during the year.

Day Camps:

For children age 0-6 you can claim up to $8,000 a year per child for childcare.

Ages 7-16 you can claim up to $5,000 a year per child for childcare.

If your child is disabled you can claim up to $11,000 a year per qualifying child for childcare.

Overnight Camps:

If your children attended overnight camps you can claim the following:

Ages 0-6 you can claim up to $200 per week per child as a childcare expense.

Ages 7-16 you can claim up to $125 per week per child as a childcare expenses.

If your child is disabled you can claim up to $275 per week per qualifying child as a childcare expense.

Teachers

Let’s face it, as a teacher you put a lot of your own money into your classroom and your kids. Things like decorating your classroom, adding a book nook, craft supplies, prizes, resources and more all really add up. This is especially true if you’re a new teacher or you’re teaching a new class this year.

With the Eligible Educator School Supply Tax Credit you can claim up to $1,000 a year for eligible supplies expenses.

This includes expenses like, teachers pay teachers resources, classroom educational posters, books, school and craft supplies, prizes etc.

Make sure to keep your receipts (a digital copy or emailed receipt is fine) and you may need to get a letter from the school board stating that you didn’t get reimbursed for these expenses if CRA reviews your claim.

Bonus Tip: you can also claim your union dues any and professional fees on your taxes.