Pembroke, Ontario – “This week marks the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, making it a fitting time to remind Canadians of some of the challenges disabled Canadians face,” declared MP Gallant.
Our Conservative Government has put in place a number of initiatives to help Canadians living with disabilities. MP Gallant’s Private Members Bill, An Act Restricting the Fees charged by promoters of the Disability Tax Credit and making consequential amendments to the Tax Court of Canada Act, Bill C-462, will build on the steps already taken. Third party promoters have been charging disabled Canadians unlimited fees to help them fill out a form for a once-a-year income tax relief they often need to help with expenses.
Bill C-462 was introduced into the House of Commons by Mrs. Gallant on November 5th, 2012, and is scheduled to be first debated on December 11th, 2012. It will regulate the maximum commissions that may be charged by disability tax promoters when assisting with the Disability Tax Credit application process. These changes were prompted by complaints from constituents who had been charged commissions in excess of 40% of the tax credit received.
The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit offered to qualified Canadians who have a mental or physical impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months, is present at least 90% of the time, and restricts them in a basic activity of daily life or causes the person to take an unreasonable amount of time to perform such an activity, even with appropriate therapy, medication and devices.
Find more information on Bill C-462 or the Disability Tax Credit here.