DTC

Step 1 - Disability Tax Credit

Do you have Form T2201 to fill out and sign?

Here is how you can find out ways to get a copy of Form T2201 and more information about completing it.

There are several ways to get the Disability Tax Credit application, which is called Form T2201. Pick the way that works best for you:

Call Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-855-330-3305 and ask them to send you a copy.
Download the application online from T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate application form.
Order alternate formats online or by phone at 1-800-959-8281. You can also use the online mail service in My Account or My Business Account.
Call Plan Institute toll-free Disability Planning Helpline at 1-844-311-7526 or email info@rdsp.com
Request a copy from Disability Alliance B.C. by email at RDSP@DisabilityAllianceBC.org or call 604-872-1278 (toll-free at 1-800-663-1278).
Indigenous people living in British Columbia can connect with the B.C. Aborigninal Network on Disability Society at rdsp1@bcands.bc.ca or call 250-381–7303 Ext: 219 (toll-free: 1-888-815-5511 Ext: 219. The general inquiry email address is bcands@bcands.bc.ca.

How to fill out the form

The T2201 form is 16 pages long and has 2 parts

Part A (pages 1 to 2) - Individual’s section

Part A must be completed and signed by you or your legal representative.

Part B (pages 3 to 16) - Medical practitioner’s section

Part B is a medical report. It must be completed and signed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. Other health professionals can fill out the form, but only if your disability is within their area of practice. Examples of such health professionals are:

Optometrist (vision)
Speech-Language Pathologist (speaking)
Audiologist (hearing)
Occupational Therapist (walking, feeding, dressing)
Physiotherapist (walking)
Psychologist (mental functions needed for everyday life)

Tip: The Canada Revenue Agency accepts applications from multiple practitioners. Applicants who need to submit medical reports from multiple sources should make sure that the reporting is consistent among those submitted on your application.

Tip: Medical practitioners can fill out Part B of form T2201 online.

Direct your doctor or nurse practitioner to: Disability Tax Credit - digital application for medical practitioners (cra-arc.gc.ca).

FAQs

What if I do not have a doctor or other medical practitioner to help complete my application?

If you do not have a family doctor that you see regularly, finding one can be hard. You have the option to ask a nurse practitioner or other specialist medical practitioner to fill out your application. Whether you get help from a doctor, a nurse practitioner, or other medical practitioner, it is a good idea to see them a few times before you ask them to complete the form. It may help if they know you.

How to find a doctor or nurse practitioner who will work with you

Some general tips on places to look for a doctor are:

Speak to your local pharmacy or hospital. Ask if they know of any doctors taking on new patients.
Go to a walk-in clinic and try to see the same doctor each time you go there.

Go to How to find a doctor or nurse practitioner who will work with you - Disability Benefits Compass (benefitswayfinder.org) to look for a doctor in your province or territory.

Can I have the application completed by a medical practitioner in the U.S.?

The Canada Revenue Agency will consider this. It depends on the circumstances. It is best to call the CRA, explain your situation, and ask them for direction.

My doctor is refusing to complete the application. Do they have a duty to help me?

Some doctors have misunderstandings about the Disability Tax Credit. This causes them to avoid completing the application. It can be very difficult to address in a patient-doctor relationship.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your doctor completing the form, you may want to find another doctor or medical practitioner to work with and apply once they are familiar with your medical history.

Access RDSP has created a guide to the Disability Tax Credit for physicians. If you are able to email a copy to your doctor or the clinic, this may help them understand what is needed from them and why they should help. Here is a printer-friendly version.

There is a CRA hot line for doctors that you could suggest they call: 1-800-280-2639.

If your doctor is willing to learn more, maybe you can have another conversation. It might help to talk about how the tax credit enables you to have a Registered Disability Savings Plan. Knowing that you want to save for your own or your children's future may help your doctor understand why this is so important to you.

Here are some more resources to look at:

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