Stop the Paper Chase: The Receipts You Need for Your Refund
Chasing down paper trails after the fact is a nightmare. I’m currently digging through old folders and calling clinics to refile my mom’s tax returns for refundable tax credits.
While these record-keeping tips apply to everyone, they are especially critical for seniors claiming health and home care credits.
It is a lot of work, but getting that cash back makes it worth it. It’s much easier to save a slip now than to get a receptionist for a duplicate statement years later.
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What your receipts must show:
For any claim, ensure the receipt clearly shows the date, the provider’s name, a description of the service or item, and the total amount paid.
1. Home Care & Safety
If you are paying to stay safe at home, keep these:
Care Services: Fees for personal care attendants or nursing.
Safety Mods: Receipts for grab bars, ramps, walk-in tubs. Even for Amazon buys, print the “Invoice” immediately.
2. Professional Health Visits
Medical offices usually give full-page breakdowns. Keep them:
Dental: Dentures, extractions, and major work.
Vision & Hearing: Glasses and hearing aids (and those expensive batteries).
Therapy: Physiotherapy, massage, or chiropractors.
3. Pharmacy & Supplies
Drug Benefits: Save every pharmacy slip. Specifically, keep proof of your deductibles or co-payments paid toward senior drug benefit programs.
Daily Supplies: Keep receipts for medical essentials like diabetic supplies or orthopaedic shoes
4. The One-Spot Habit
Create a “Tax Receipts” folder in your email for digital receipts and keep one dedicated envelope for the paper ones. If you paid for it to stay healthy or safe at home, keep the proof. Being stuck on hold with a clinic or a store for hours is a waste of time.
CRA Rules: Keep every receipt for six years; your claims can be denied without them. Note that some expenses also require a medical note. Check the CRA’s full list here for details.
Let’s Talk
Are you digging through old records too? Leave a comment below and share how you handle the paper trail.