ing special-needs
uipment at tax fi

HELPS AT Hand, by North Shore
Community Services (NSCS), is at
forum for discussing government
policies and programs, benefits.
consumer and legal rights, taxation
and public services. Answers are
intended only as a general guide
and should not be applied to indi-
vidual cases without further con-
sultation,

QUESTION: T have a permanent
disability and because of it f
have to buy special equipment
and need help in my home. |
have heard about a tax credit
that T can claim. Can you give
me more information about this?
Answer: The disubility credit is a
tax deduction in the
$4,233,

Under the tax department defin-
ition. you must have had a “severe
mental or physical impairment (in
the past year) that caused you to be
markedly restricied in your basic
activities of daily living, and have
an impairment that has lasted or is
expected to last for a continuous
period of at least 12 months” to
qualify. :

How can you tell if you are
“markedly restricted” under their
definition? They say that if you are
legally blind, if you are unable to
feed and dress yourself, walk.
speak, hear, or perceive. think and
remember. or if it takes an
extremely long time to perform
these activities. then you are
markedly restricted.

Furthermore, you must be
markedly restricted all or almost
all of the time.

If you are unsure about whether

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HELPS
AT HAND

you qualify or not. it is probably
best to consult with your doctor.

To have further questions
answered, you cin contact the
Advocacy Access Project of the
B.C. Coalition of People with
Disabilities at 872-1278,

If you find that vou du qualify.
you need a form T2201, availuble
from Revenue Canada. It must be
certified by a medical doctor and
filed with your tax return in the
first year you make the claim.

If you feel that vou were cligi-
ble for this tax credit in previous
years and did not make a claim,
you may apply for adjustment to
the previous years” taxes.

Since you need help in your
home you may also be eligible for
attendant care expenses as a
deduction. There are rules about
eligibility for this claim that are

too complex to discuss in this col-

umn,

ht would be best to consull your
Tax Guide for further guidance.

Regarding special equipment
you need. remember that you can
claim medical expenses that are in
excess of 3% of your net income
(after deductions).

For example, if your net income
is $30,000 per year, your medical

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To request special forms not
included in the Tax Guide. call
669-1033 in the Lower Mainland
oP 1-800-663-1655,

Revenue Canada does offer ser-
vices to pecple who are blind or
visually impaired to help them
understand their income tix rights.
You may request varigus lax pub-
fications in braille and farge print.
as well as on audio cassette and
computer disk,

For information on how to
order these resources, call toll-free
1-800-267-1267

North Shore Community
Service does offer a free income
hs prepurition service to people
on limited income.

For this purpose. “limited
income” is defined as an annual
income fess than $15,000 for a sin-
gle person ar $20,000 fora couple.

Tax preparation is by appoint-
ment only. Home visits can be
made in cases where it is difficult
for the person to get to a tax
office. Call 985-7138 to book: an
appointment

When having your tax pre-
pared. be sure to bring a copy of
your las¢ year’s tax return and all
income receipts.

This cojaumn is prepared with
financial assistance front the
Netary Foundation. For more
information call NSCS at 985-

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