Tax credits reduce your tax bill directly (non-refundable) or can generate a payment even with no tax owing (refundable).
| Credit | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Basic Personal Amount | Applied automatically to everyone, ~$16,129 (2025) |
| Medical expense credit | Expenses above 3% of net income (or a set threshold, whichever is less) |
| Tuition credit | Eligible tuition fees, transferable to a spouse or parent if unused |
| Disability tax credit | For individuals with a severe and prolonged impairment |
| Charitable donation credit | Tiered rate — higher percentage on donations above $200/year |
Credit eligibility depends on income and family situation. The CRA typically calculates and pays refundable benefits automatically based on your filed return.