Adoption services by an Adoption Practitioner who is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) can be claimed on many medical plans. Check your medical benefit plan to see if RSW services are included and can be claimed as an expense.
Claiming Registered Social Work (RSW) fees through your medical benefits/as a tax deduction:
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Registered Social Workers are “medical practitioners” and may be claimed as medical expenses on your annual tax returns.
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If you have supplemental medical benefits RSW services are usually included in your plan as family counselling.
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Adoption services may be claimed as an income tax deduction during the year in which a family adopts a child. The maximum amount of eligible expenses for the Adoption Expense Tax Credit has been increased to $15,255 per child for the 2017 taxation year.
Parental Leave in Ontario: Information about paternal leave for adoptive parents.
Adoption Grants: Some employers offer their employees additional benefits during or following the adoption process. Check with your organization's HR department to see if you qualify.
Targetted Subsidies Policy Directive: Ontario CAS's offer subsidies to families adopting a child over the age ten or sibling groups. Contact your local CAS for more information.
Pre- and post-adoption medical assessments (for international adoptions) are available at St. Michael's Hospital through the Immigrant Health and Infectious Disease Clinic: click here for more information.
