Taxes - Deductions

[Kimberley]

Hopefully someone has an idea of the answer to this, so here goes.

Does anyone know if medical benefits that you pay through work for dental/medicines are tax deductible in some way?

For example: A person has $30 a week automatically deducted from their pay for benefit coverage, regardless of whether they are able to take advantage of the coverage that is offered if they have dental work done; is any of what is automatically taken from your pay just for having the plan deductible on your taxes, and if so, where?

Thanks!

[dadtotheend]

You can claim private health insurance premiums as a medical expense, but the total amount of all your medical expenses is reduced by 3% of your income.

The claim is made at line 330 of Schedule 1 of your federal tax calculation, and it is also made at line 5868 of the ON428 schedule of your Ontario tax calculation.

[Kimberley]

My T4 does not list what I paid in to Manulife for the year; does this nix it being deductible?
I know the total amount from my pay stubs of course, but only the basics are ever on my T4.

[yearsgone]

I think this is the same idea as me claiming my Blue Cross payments. You can call Manulife and ask for a statement of payments to be mailed to you. That gives you an official document in case you need it.

[Kimberley]

Is your Blue Cross something you by choice purchased, thus making it private which can be claimed? My Manulife is listed as 'group benefits' via my employer.

Last year I did not claim it either simply because it was never listed on my T4, nor was I ever sent any kind of statement of payments at year end.

[dadtotheend]

It's up to you to calculate and report the claim. Use your last pay stub for the number and the proof if required.