What is the Disability Tax Credit worth to you?

Checked against official sources on September 28, 2026.

How the credit turns into money

The Disability Tax Credit is non-refundable: it lowers the income tax you owe, and it isn't paid out on its own. For 2026 the federal disability amount is $10,341. Multiply by the 14% federal rate and it can cut federal tax by up to $1,447.74. Your province or territory adds its own amount on top.

If the person with the disability doesn't owe enough tax to use it, the unused part can go to a spouse or common-law partner, or to a family member who supports them with at least one of the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter or clothing.

Getting the past years back

If you were eligible in earlier years and didn't claim, CRA can apply the credit going back up to 10 years. You don't need to refile anything yourself. Part A of Form T2201 asks:

If eligibility for the disability tax credit is approved, would you like the CRA to apply the credit to your previous tax returns? Yes, adjust my previous tax returns for all applicable years.

Tick yes and CRA reassesses those years for you, for free. Refund firms often take a share of exactly this money.

The amounts we use

The extra amount for children under 18 is reduced when child care or attendant care expenses above a threshold ($3,533 in 2026) are claimed for the child.

Quebec residents claim the provincial part from Revenu Québec, which sets its own amount.

Federal and provincial figures for every year come from CRA's own forms: the federal worksheets, and each province's Form 428 for that year, which prints the disability amount and the credit rate. Provincial supplements for children aren't included.

Questions people ask

How much is the Disability Tax Credit worth?

For 2026, the federal part can cut income tax by up to $1,447.74 ($10,341 at 14%). Provinces and territories add their own amount, from about $530 in Ontario to about $1,498 in Saskatchewan at 2026 amounts and rates.

How far back can the Disability Tax Credit be claimed?

Up to 10 years. If you tick the box in Part A of Form T2201, CRA adjusts your previous returns for all the years you were eligible.

What if I didn't pay any tax?

The credit only reduces tax owed, so on its own it pays nothing. A spouse or a supporting family member may be able to claim the unused part. Approval still opens the Canada Disability Benefit and RDSP grants.

Do I need a company to get my back refund?

No. CRA reassesses the past years itself when you tick the box on the form. CRA says the promoter fee-cap regulations are suspended by a court injunction. Check the full price before paying for help.

Sources

Checked against these on September 28, 2026. Amounts change every January or July; we recheck them each year.

• CRA: Claiming the DTC (modified January 20, 2026), for the 10-year rule and transfers
• CRA: Adjustments to tax amounts for 2026 (modified March 12, 2026)
• CRA: Tax rates and brackets, all years
• CRA: Tax rates and brackets, 2026 for the federal and provincial rates
• CRA: Form TD1, 2026 Personal Tax Credits Return and the 2026 provincial TD1 forms, for the 2026 amounts
• CRA: Federal Worksheet 5000-D1, 2025 and the same worksheet for 2016 to 2024, for past amounts
• CRA: Form T2201 for the Part A question
• Disability Tax Credit Promoters Restrictions Act

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