Baby & Child Tax Credits!

Since we all have enough on our plates juggling work, baby, marriage, and life, I figured I'd remind you Canadians about the tax credits we get for our babies and children.

Children's Fitness Tax Credit:

• You can claim to a maximum of $500 per child the fees paid in 2011 relating to the cost of registering your or your spouse's or common-law partner's child in a prescribed program of physical activity. 
• Eligibility: 
• The child must have been under 16 years of age or under 18 years of age if eligible for the disability amount at the beginning of the year in which an eligible fitness expense was paid.
• Prescribed Program: To qualify for this amount, a program must:
• be ongoing (a minimum of eight consecutive weeks duration or, in the case of children's camps, five consecutive days);
• be supervised;
• be suitable for children; and
• require significant physical activity that contributes to cardiorespiratory endurance, plus one or more of:
• muscular strength,
• muscular endurance,
• flexibility, and/or
• balance.
• The following activities do not qualify
• activities where riding in, or on, a motorized vehicle is an essential part of the activity;
• self-directed (unsupervised) activities;
• activities that are part of a regular school program; or
• sports-academics programs.
• Children's Fitness Tax Credit Eligibility Checklist: Check here to see if your child's activity meets the qualifications. There are a few yes/no type questions to help you determine if you are eligible. Based on what I read, I believe Gymboree Play & Learn classes qualify!

Children's Arts Tax Credit: 

• You can claim to a maximum of $500 per child the fees paid in 2011 relating to the cost of registration or membership of your or your spouse's or common-law partner's child in a prescribed program of artistic, cultural, recreational, or developmental activity.
• Eligibility: 
  • The child must have been under 16 years of age or under 18 years of age if eligible for the disability amount at the beginning of the year in which an eligible expense was paid.
• You can claim this amount as long as another person has not already claimed the same fees and the total claimed is not more than the maximum amount that would be allowed if only one of you were claiming the amount.
• Prescribed Program: To qualify for this amount, a program must:
• be ongoing (either a minimum of eight consecutive weeks long or, in the case of children's camps, five consecutive days long);
• be supervised; and
• be suitable for children.
• The program also has to meet one of the following criteria:
• it contributes to the development of creative skills or expertise in an artistic or cultural activity;
• it provides a substantial focus on wilderness and the natural environment;
• it helps children develop and use particular intellectual skills;
• it includes structured interaction among children where supervisors teach or help children develop interpersonal skills; or
• it provides enrichment or tutoring in academic subjects.
• Note
• An activity that develops creative skills or expertise is only eligible if it is intended to improve a child's dexterity or co-ordination, or helps in acquiring and applying knowledge through artistic or cultural activities such as literary arts, visual arts, performing arts, music, media, languages, customs, and heritage.
• So check the government website to learn more, but based on what I read I think the Music classes at Gymboree also qualify for this tax credit!

Remember to keep your receipts so you can claim at the end of the year! Also don't forget that we also have Child care expenses to claim!

So I mentioned Gymboree (click here to hear about our first class experience) as a potential credit, but I don't think we'll take the music class there. Anyone know of another Art/Music class for baby? Also is there another play class for baby that isn't hosted by Gymboree and has classes on the weekends? Please share!

Happy reading!

Rachel

PS: There is Still time to enter the Boogie Wipes Giveaway, by clicking  here! Winner announced on Tuesday, so enter now!