What if you could build a healthier, stronger body through exercise and deduct it from your taxes?
In Ontario, that’s no what if – it’s the law of the land.
Since January 2014, the province has recognized Kinesiologists among the “authorized medical practitioners” whose services are tax-deductible. And that’s a first for Canada: in Ontario alone residents can now get a tax deduction for the services of a Kinesiologist registered with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.
“If you go to the gym and take exercise classes beyond your gym membership taught by a Registered Kinesiologist, or you have a personal trainer that is a Registered Kinesiologist, those costs could now be tax deductible,” says Jennifer Chapman, President of the Ontario Kinesiology Association.
A wide range of professionals are recognized across multiple provinces by Canada
Revenue Agency as authorized medical practitioners for the purpose of claiming medical expenses. But kinesiologists are included in that list only in Ontario because that is the only province where kinesiologists are regulated health professionals.
That means any Ontarians with access to the expertise of a registered kinesiologist can write off a portion of those services as medical expenses at tax time. Those services can include personal training, injury rehabilitation, chronic disease management and more.
Chapman recommends asking your personal trainer if he or she is a Registered Kinesiologist, “and if they are, their fees should be eligible,” she said.
Ontarians can claim the services of a Kinesiologist alongside those of such medical professionals as chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, naturopaths and psychologists, among a range of others. For a full list of authorized medical practitioners see http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/ampp-eng.html.
How much can Ontarians write off? Canada Revenue Agency allows taxpayers to claim any expenses after the first $2,171 spent, or after a figure equivalent to three per cent of one’s net income, whichever figure is smaller. Those can be written off on line 330 of your tax return.
That deduction applies not only to oneself, but to one’s spouse or common-law partner and to any children aged 18 or under. And it fits together with a range of other medical expenses.
Being able to claim those expenses makes it easier for Ontarians to seek the services of Registered Kinesiologists, if kinesiology services aren’t covered by your extended health benefits obtained through your employer. Those services could include developing programs to help you rehabilitate an injury, working with you to reduce the risk of injury and even helping to optimize your body’s movement for sports and general health.
“Because Kinesiologists have only been recognized as regulated health professionals in Ontario for a couple of years it will take time for gyms to take advantage of these tax incentives for their members,” Chapman said, but she expects more and more gyms to offer Registered Kinesiologists as personal trainers as an added incentive to attract new members.
Ontario’s population is growing older, and our lifestyles are increasingly more sedentary. That makes it all the more important to improve Ontarians’ access to professionals like Registered Kinesiologists skilled in the science of motion, who can help improve health and quality of life and help manage and prevent the chronic conditions associated with a lack of physical activity. According to the Public Health Association of Canada, physical activity can help reduce the risk of over 25 chronic conditions, chief among them is coronary heart disease – Canada’s leading cause of death.
Working with a registered kinesiologist to get and stay fit can help not only your personal health, but the health of your bottom line.
Ask if you’re working with a registered kinesiologist before you do your taxes this year. It can pay off.
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Jeff Bolichowski, Media Relations Strategist
Armstrong Strategy Group
direct: 905 380-7839
office: 416 915-3161
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