Tuition Tax Credits

CANADIAN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION:

Tuition fees paid to accredited post-secondary schools and reported on a Tuition Tax Credit form (T2202A) are claimable. The credit must first be claimed by the student and then, to the extent the deduction is not needed by the student, the remainder may be transferred to a parent/grandparent or spouse to a maximum transfer of $5,000 annually.

Tuition fee tax receipts are available directly from your educational institution and are required for tax filing.

All unused tuition credits carry over to future years for the use of the student. This also applies to foreign educational institutions.

Please note that any student transferring tuition to a family member must file a tax return and must complete and sign the form showing they authorize the transfer. They must provide their parent or spouse the signed form for inclusion in their tax return.

FOREIGN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION:

Accredited schools outside Canada – the educational institution must complete form TL11A found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/tl11a.html

A list of accredited foreign post-secondary educational institutions can be found here: https://tools.canlearn.ca/cslgs-scpse/cln-cln/reea-mdl/reea-mdl-1-eng.do?nom-name=inter

More information about studying abroad and taxes can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc192/information-students-educational-institutions-outside-canada.html

Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarship and bursary income for elementary and secondary schooling is not taxable. Scholarships for full-time post-secondary students who have tuition fees paid in the same year are also non-taxable, where the courses lead to a diploma or degree.

Part-time students may exempt scholarships up to the extent of the tuition fees and materials costs. Above that, the amounts received will be taxable.

Research grants are taxable, and expense receipts should be kept as they may be deducted against the value of the grant received. It is important to separate expenses the grant covered from other business expenses.

Examination and Licensing Fees

Exam and licensing fees paid by students to obtain professional standing or certification as may be required to operate a professional practice or trade are, since 2011, included with the tuition fees and claimable as part of the Tuition Tax Credit.