The Disability Tax Credit program has many rules, regulations and guidelines. These can be overwhelming for people wanting to learn more about this disability benefit.
Misinformation can sometimes become yet another barrier that pushes eligible Canadians away from applying for the Disability Tax Credit.
Our Association receives many queries about these DTC ‘myths’, which we detail and clarify in the preceding section.
There is not one identifiable case of a company charging 40% to 50% in the past three years.
In fact, the Association of Canadian Disability Benefit Professionals has self-regulated its industry to a rate no higher than 30% for successful claims.
Our 14 member companies charge between 20% and 30% for successful claims, depending on the breadth of professional services offered. Clients are always free to choose which service they feel is best for them.
Our services are no risk to clients - they only pay a fee when their claims are approved and the Canada Revenue Agency pays them. There are no up-front fees!
This is untrue.
Payments are sent directly to the successful claimant. Once successful clients have received payment from the government, companies may then invoice their clients.
This is untrue. Please consider the following:
We wish the DTC application process was that quick! However...
Disability Tax Credits are reaching just a fraction of its intended audience. As reported by the CBC in 2015, the CRA estimates that at least 1.1 million Canadians qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, half being seniors.
But, almost $1 billion that belonged in the pockets of disabled Canadians went unclaimed from 2012-2013.
Given that this credit is retroactive up to 10 years, and many eligible Canadians have gone years without receiving this credit they deserve, we could be talking closer to $10 billion that should be in the pockets of disabled Canadians!
This is untrue. While many times we do get clients approved for future years, our Code of Conduct clearly states that clients can only be charged on successful Disability Tax Credit retroactive amounts on what has been recovered.
Clients are never charged fees on future amounts or entitlements. Therefore, the maximum 30% that the industry has self-regulated often ends up being much lower, when considering future year's claims.
To date, over 50,000 Canadians have been successfully assisted by private sector companies operating in the DTC industry.
No, of course not. Similar to filing your own taxes or changing your own oil, this is a process that anyone can do on their own.
However, 25% of our industry's clients did apply on their own, but were unfairly declined.
There is no comparison between the two services offered.
Simply, chain tax preparation companies do none of the above. That being said, we do not do what chain tax preparation companies do, either.
As part of our industry Code of Conduct, we cannot have doctors on staff. But, we have worked with over 50,000 doctors across Canada.
When necessary, we will consider paying their service fee on behalf of our clients who cannot afford to pay, as this fee is not covered by OHIP or other provincial health care systems.
Unfortunately, if the CRA deems you ineligible for the Disability Tax Credit, then it will be difficult attaining other disability benefits, such as:
Many Canadians with disabilities are unaware that they may qualify for substantial sums of money from the Canada Revenue Agency. The Canadian Disability Tax Credit is worth up to $4,000 per year, depending on hundreds of combinations of factors such as age, income, and province of residence. Members of the ACDBP are here to help you navigate this complicated process.