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Do you or someone you know have Type 1 diabetes?

Let's get you approved!

Diabetes definition

We get you approved!

Save thousands of dollars yearly on your income taxes for the rest of your life. 

On June 24, 2022, the Canadian Government announced that all Type 1 diabetics may now be eligible for a yearly non-refundable disability tax credit for the remainder of their life. A huge financial gain for T1's, yet most are missing out on this government tax "gift". Don't miss out! Reach out now to find out more.

OK, great, but what do I really get?

Get up to $4,672 for 2021*

and

Get up to $5,076 for 2022* 

Remember, CDTCI can also help you apply retroactively for up to 10 years. If approved by CRA, that could be up to a $50,000 tax refund. 

*Example cited is for T1 diabetic under age 18 living in Alberta and supported by Parent. Parent will receive the DTC benefit. It is the maximum benefit possible. 

Find out more!
girl with insulin pump
woman taking insulin injection in arm

Pump or inject?

Whether you use an insulin pump or multiple daily site injections to treat your T1 diabetes will have no bearing on the value of your DTC. Simply contact CDTCI now and get started. The sooner we get you approved, the sooner you get your dollar for dollar tax reductions or tax refunds.  

Let's do this!

Requirements

  • Must have Type 1 diabetes diagnosis

  • Must have a family doctor or endocrinologist or obtain one before CDTCI starts your application

  • Must have income (you, spouse or family member)

  • Must file income taxes

    • Benefits to YOU +++

  • Save or get thousands, even hundreds of thousands of tax dollars, over your lifetime.

  • Recognition of your hard work with Type 1 diabetes

  • Reduce stress and costs of living with Type 1 diabetes

  • Peace of mind and a better life ahead of you

    • FAQ's about CDTCI and DTC's

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    Q: What is a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) exactly?

    According to the CRA, the DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that aims to lessen the amount of income tax owed for recipients (and their supporters) with disabilities, or for parents of children with disabilities.


    The DTC is broken down into both provincial and federal amounts, and while the federal portion is the same for every eligible Canadian, the provincial amount varies considerably between provinces.

    

    If you’re a parent of a child under 18 with a disability, you may also be entitled to a supplementary amount called the “Child Disability Benefit”, which is a tax-free monthly payment.

    Q: Who is the Canadian Disability Tax Credit Institute (CDTCI)?

    The Canadian Disability Tax Credit Institute (CDTCI) is a not for profit federal corporation founded by Tom Ferguson, a T1 diabetic since February 8, 1977. CDTCI was created to assist T1 diabetics and other Canadians with disabilities to navigate through the often onerous and complicated process of getting approved for a DTC. CDTCI originated from the first hand experience and frustrations Tom faced when trying to get his DTC application approved. Our sole purpose is to assist Canadians with disabilities get approved and receive their eligible Disability Tax Credits.

    Q: If I have Type 1 Diabetes, do I automatically qualify?

    No but you are now automatically eligible. To qualify for the DTC, you must apply and be approved for the DTC's (both federal and provincial). The new requirements enacted in June, 2022 do make it easier to qualify but only for the 2021 tax year and forward. Moving forward from the 2021 tax year, CRA assumes managing T1 diabetes requires more than 14 hours dedicated to Life Sustaining Therapy. You may also be eligible for up to 10 years of retroactive DTC but this requires an extensive and detailed application process which we also offer for a fee of 25% of the achieved benefit. In the past, many DTC applications from diabetics have been denied for various reasons; including: incorrect information, inaccurate details, physician error filling out the forms, physician refusing to complete the application, arbitrary rejection, insufficient information, disallowed activities to meet the 14 hour per week minimum, etc.  Whatever the reason the CRA's decisions to deny diabetics in the past, it is their lack of clarity and transparency that is (and has always been) their issue.

    Q: Can I apply on behalf of family members?

    You sure can. Just reach out and we'll set the process in motion. Often, you can apply for a family member, and in most cases, receive a refund on their behalf.

    Q: Can I apply on behalf of a deceased person?

    Yes, as long as the person has been deceased for under 10 years.

    Q: I have Type 2 Diabetes but take insulin. Can I qualify?

    Maybe. Many more details are required but here is a simplified, sort of, explanation. In order to qualify, you would need to meet all 4 criteria below. It will be difficult in most cases to qualify for DTC with Type 2 Diabetes.


    1) Your therapy is needed to support a vital function and may include: dialysis, insulin therapy, oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy, other therapies.


    2) Your therapy is needed at least 2 times per week (for 2020 and previous tax years, the therapy is needed at least 3 times per week).


    3) Your therapy is needed for an average of at least 14 hours per week, taking time away from everyday activities.


    For 2021 and later: examples of what counts toward the 14 hours: activities related to adjusting and administering medication or determining the amount of a compound that can be safely consumed; maintaining a log related to the therapy; managing dietary restrictions related to therapy that either requires daily consumption of a medical food to limit a particular compound, or requires a regular dosage of medication that needs to be adjusted daily; Receiving life-sustaining therapy at home or at an appointment; setting up and maintaining equipment used for the therapy; time spent by another person to perform or supervise the therapy on behalf of a child or carry out activities like those listed above; time spent assisting a person who is unable to perform the activities related to administering the therapy because of the effects of the impairment(s); not included in the 14 hours: exercising managing any dietary restrictions or regimes that are not listed as included in the 14 hours; medical appointments that do not involve receiving the therapy or determining the dosage of medication, medical compound, or medical formula; obtaining medication; recuperating after therapy (unless medically required); time a portable or implanted device takes to deliver therapy; travel time to receive therapy.


    For 2020 and earlier: examples of what counts toward the 14 hours: activities related to adjusting and administering medication; cleaning or maintaining equipment used to administer the therapy; maintaining a log related to the therapy; receiving life-sustaining therapy at home or at an appointment; time spent by the child's primary caregiver(s) to do or supervise the therapy or perform activities like those listed above; not included in the 14 hours: medical appointments that do not involve receiving the therapy; shopping for medication; time a portable or implanted device takes to deliver therapy; time spent on dietary restrictions or regimes, or exercising; travel to receive therapy; recuperation after therapy.


    4) Your impairment has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months.


    Should CDTCI decide your T2 diabetes case warrants an application and likelihood of success, we will be delighted to move forward with you. However, a T2 diabetic application would not qualify for our current 2021/2022 T1 diabetic application special pricing.  Just reach out to us for more information.

    Q: Can I only apply for the DTC when I do my tax return?

    No. CDTCI can process your application any time of the year. CRA will automatically adjust your taxes based on the DTC claim once approved. We strongly suggest you move forward immediately as once you are approved under this new programme, you will likely never have to apply again, plus you will get your refund or credit sooner. The CRA website states that if you apply for DTC approval when you do your tax return, your assessment will be delayed.

    Q: What if I don't work or earn an income?

    You can still qualify! Many individuals who don’t work still pay taxes (disability payments from their employer, pension income). Additionally, in many cases, we are able to transfer credits to a spouse or family member in the instance that the individual with the disability does not pay taxes.

    Q: I've asked my doctor about applying for the DTC, yet the refuses to complete and sign the form?

    Doctors are often unaware of what criteria is truly necessary to qualify for the DTC. If your doctor is unwilling to sign-off on your application we sent, we will work with them to explain your case and attempt to change their mind. As of 2021, it is unlikely your doctor would refuse to sign after speaking with us. An application for years prior to 2021 may require a more difficult and forceful conversation with your Doctor by us.

    Q: I don't have a doctor.

    We recommend that you get a doctor immediately. Without a doctor, you will not be able to make a case for DTC approval. Even though it may be challenging to find a family doctor in many Canadian centres, it would be very rare (we've never witnessed it) to be denied a referral to an endocrinologist or other specialist to assist in treating your T1 Diabetes.

    Q: Can I make a claim for my child?

    Yes, in fact, we are usually able to get additional credits for children under 18, and disabled adults who were 18 at any time in the past 10 years.

    Q: How long does it take?

    The majority of our clients receive their refund/credit within 4 months of their application being filed. The CRA website says you should get a response within 8 weeks. We expect it to be approved with no further action required, indefinitely, so that you will not have to do it each year in the future. However, tax years prior to 2021 will still need to be dealt with under the old, archaic, arbitrary rules of the CRA.

    Q: My income is too low/high? Can I still file a DTC claim?

    Income levels do not affect eligibility for the DTC. If your were under the age of 18 in any of the past 10 years, you may be eligible for additional credits. In order to maximize your claim, you can transfer the credit to a family member who has supported you/them.

    Q: I owe taxes to the government! Should I still apply?

    You bet and the sooner the better. Any DTC will be applied to your account and first offset any taxes owing. This will significantly reduce any further penalties, late payment fees and interest charges. CRA never goes away. The DTC can help you deal with any existing CRA balance owing. Don't delay!

    Q: How much can I expect to get back from the government?

    Like everything else...it depends.

    

    For example, in 2021, a typical 30-year old T1 diabetic in Ontario with an annual income over $50,000 would receive a non-refundable DTC benefit of federal $8,662 @ 15% = $1,299.30 and ontario provincial $8,790 @ 5.5% = $483.45 for a total of  $1,782.75. 


    Now for 2022, the DTC and supplement for an Albertan T1 diabetic under the age of 18 and supported by a parent(s) would entitle the parent to a "refund" or reduction in their taxes of $5,076.00.


    If you want us to file on your behalf for years prior to 2021, and we believe every T1 diabetic should consider doing this, the amount you get simply gets bigger and bigger should you qualify - up to about $50,000, in fact, depending on your province and circumstances. There is a different fee for this service outlined in the next question.


    In general, CDTCI finds that for 2021 the annual refund a Type 1 Diabetic adult (and/or spouse) can receive is $1,750-$2,800 per year, while a child’s caregiver can receive up to $4,675 or more per year depending on the province in which you live.

    Q: OK, this is awesome but what does CDTCI charge?

    This is a two part answer.


    First, with our Special Offer, CDTCI will prepare and file your DTC application for both 2021 and 2022 tax years for a flat fee of $250.00 plus applicable HST. This includes acting as your advocate for both CRA and your doctor. It does not include any fee charged by your doctor to complete the forms. This is your responsibility. CDTCI has seen this fee range from $0 (the majority) to $150. It is our hope and current understanding that once CDTCI gets you approved, further applications will no longer be necessary. This is based on our reading of the amendments on June 24, 2022 by the Government of Canada. In the prior question, we showed you how a typical T1 diabetic adult and/or their spouse or other family member could get back between $1,750 to $2,800 per year for tax years 2021 and 2022 and beyond. Even more for a T1 diabetic child's caregiver...up to $4,675 or more per year.  


    Second, if interested (and you should be), CDTCI will prepare and file your pre-2021 DTC application for up to 10 years retroactively on your behalf. This is a different and more complex offer. Our fee for this service is a 25% "Contingency/Partnership" fee plus applicable HST based on the amount of financial benefit you or your family/heirs receive from the Government of Canada and/or your provincial government.  There is no fee if we are unsuccessful in gaining DTC approval. This partnership agreement is aimed at insuring we are highly motivated to succeed with your application – we do not get paid unless you do. We must also reserve the right to decline moving forward on an application if CDTCI deems the probability of success unlikely. Within this pre-2021 application agreement, your doctor fees for completing the forms may be covered by us with advance notice and agreement.

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    What People Are Saying.

    Dan P. – Milton, ON (Age 29)

    ''I have known the founder for most of my life. He was my AAA hockey coach when I was first diagnosed in 1999 and for many years after. In hindsight, what a bonus that was...having a T1 Hockey Coach telling my parents I was now a T1 Goalie! When Tom brought this programme to my attention recently, I had been to my endo three times since this awesome, mostly unknown, announcement in June, 2022 and NOT ONCE was it brought up at my appointments! Now I will get a nice big tax refund for my 2021 and 2022 taxes plus keep getting refunds each year for a long time.'' We are currently looking at going back even more years for my DTC's. CDTCI says, despite the challenges and complexity of the application, I should definitely do it!!!

    Pat T. – Ottawa, ON (Age 46)

    ''So happy to have applied for my DTC through Canadian Disability Tax Credit Institute. I found out about CDTCI through my aunt, as she knew the founder. At first, I was a little skeptical and not sure if applying would be worth the trouble. But, using CDTCI, I only had to sign a form and they took care of the rest. My accountant thinks I will get back at least $4000 for 2021 and 2022 tax years. Not bad for signing a form and letting CDTCI do the rest. Plus, I can sure use the extra money to help with my diabetes as I don't have a benefit plan at work. Thanks so much''. P.S. After talking with CDTCI more, we are now going to apply for past years to see if we can get approved and get even more back in taxes. They say it won't be easy but I'm hopeful given their past success with others like me.


    Sarah L. – London, ON (Age 32)

    ''I found out about CDTCI through a google search when looking for help with the costs of diabetes. Both my son (age 7) and I have Type 1 Diabetes. As you can imagine, it is a real daily struggle and very, very expensive. We have both recently applied for our refunds with CDTCI and are now waiting for CRA to approve.'' The money we will save and get back as a refund from the government will be a big step in helping our family now and for our future. We are looking at a total refund of over $9,000 and this is for just 2021 and 2022. We will definitely be applying for previous years once this application is complete. This will change everything for us. "


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