This will be a short post, because it’s not a topic I like to talk about in depth. TAXES!
Recently on our Facebook group there was an interesting discussion about taxes and what, if anything, NICU families could claim in relation to their baby’s stay in the hospital.
Some good points were raised that I wanted to capture here. First, the Canada Revenue Agency has posted some information about what can be claimed.
If you live 80km away, you can claim travel, meal and accommodation expenses. If you live 40km away, you can claim travel expenses but not meal and accommodation expenses. You have a choice about using the detailed method or simplified method. On the Northern Residents page there is a description of these methods.
Even though the simplified method doesn’t require you to keep receipts, some parents have mentioned that they were audited, so it’s probably a good idea to keep all your receipts regardless of which method you use. You’ll need to keep them for 7 years. One of our moms had a good point; she said to keep the names and contact details of a neonatologist and a social worker from your hospital, because you may need to get back in touch for letters of support if you’re audited.
You may also have to send in some research papers to support your claim that your presence was necessary; I’d be more than happy to help with that!
If anyone has any other tips, please add them in the comments. And of course I should add that none of this is intended to be a substitute for professional advice, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional before filing any claims. Good luck and happy filing.
