This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

There have been some posts about whether Revenue Canada will allow a medical expense claim for CCSVI treatment out of the country. The answer is yes.

I thought I would remind people of this and also that you can amend any of you previous tax returns if you did not claim it. Simply fill out a medical expense form with the revised numbers and send it in with a note stating that you forgot to include these expenses when you did your tax return. My wife and I traveled to Albany and we were able to revise our 2010 claim to include the cost of the medical treatment, the travel, hotel and food. There are specific rules as to what and how much you can claim.

This can result in a couple of thousand dollars in additional refund, depending on your specific situation.

Bruce.

Very important information for anyone in Canada who has paid out-of-pocket. Thanks Bruce.

Of course to those who oppose this treatment it's all about the money, so you can expect political pressure to be brought to bear to stop the revenue service from issuing any tax refunds, now that they know it has been done.

For my 2010 return it was claimed as a tax credit of 18% on total expenses. Better than a kick in the pants I guess.

We claimed also and got a refund - our accountant was very helpful with this.

We were told that "any" medical expense for a procedure not offered in Canada can be claimed.

Bruce/Music/PointsNorth,

Was your doctor required to sign a form stating that the procedure was not offered in Canada and that it was required before you were eligible to claim the expenses? Or did you just claim the expenses on your tax return?

Thanks!

Hi Kleiner,

We just claimed this - our Doctor didn't sign anything. As far as I know, there is no need to - as per our accountant.

Likewise, we just claimed without a doctor's note. I will claim again this year . . .

Technically you are supposed to have a written statement from a doctor indicating that the procedure is not available in Canada. It does not have to state that the doctor feels that the procedure is required.

My husband and I both travelled to Egypt in 2010 and claimed all expenses. Because the claim was so high, my income tax return was "pre-assessed" and was ultimately approved.

Note that you can be audited for a number of years even after the refund has been issued.

Also note that I had a very difficult time getting my neurologist to state that the procedure was not availalbe in Canada. He finally consented and in the letter, noted that he had advised against it.

This is nothing new and has been posted about before, however I would like to point out the following Canada Revenue Agency links:

Medical Expenses Outside of Canada http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs ... ml#med_out

Travel Expenses for Medical Purposes http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs ... l-eng.html

Please note, travel expenses can be claimed for BOTH travel in Canada and outside Canada. This is vary helpful to persons living in rural areas who travel frequently for medical treatment in a distant city. IF someone is traveling with you you CANNOT claim expenses related to them UNLESS a medical practitioner certifies that you required an accompanying person.

The total medical expense claim is reduced by 3% of your Net Income (max $ $2,052 for 2011) to calculate the net medical expense amount.
This amount is added to all the other NON-REFUNDABLE tax credits, the total of which is multiplied by 15% to calculated the credit amount to be subtracted from you tax payable.
If you have no tax liability then you are out of luck.
Also please note that the expense period for the claim is NOT the calendar year. It is any 12 consecutive months ENDING in the taxation year. This little trick can be very useful.

Your resident H&R Block Tax Professional,

Thank you extremely much. Good profession. My brother is doing that in NYC. Not for Block, though, for Verizon.

Quote: If you have no tax liability then you are out of luck

Yes indeed as our total family income is low, my 2010 espenses for a CCSVI intervention was $14000.00 and when claimed I received $750.00. I know better than nothing but this shows to a degree the gap from the rich and the poor. I have another similar expense in 2011 and now it is it since I can't afford the interventions anymore. I am similar to Forest Gump cutting the grass but without the millions.After all, it is a disease suited better for millionaires with CCSVI expenses and going to Arizona for winter.
Thanks Oreo

Take Care All

NormB